State Vital Records

Every state has a vital records office — typically part of the state health department — that maintains the foundational documents of a person's legal identity: birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce records. After a legal name change, you may need to contact this office to update your birth certificate to reflect your new legal name.

The vital records office in the state where you were born handles your birth certificate amendment. This is important to note if you were born in a different state than where you currently live — you'll need to contact your birth state's vital records office, not the records office of your current state of residence.

In addition to birth certificate amendments, state vital records offices can provide certified copies of marriage certificates and divorce decrees — documents you may need as part of a post-marriage or post-divorce name change. These certified copies can be requested by mail or in person, usually for a fee of $10–$30 per copy.

Birth certificate amendments are particularly important if you anticipate needing your birth certificate for passport applications, immigration processes, or government benefit applications in the future. While not always required immediately after a name change, having a birth certificate that matches your current legal name eliminates complications in those future processes.

Each state vital records office has its own specific procedures, forms, and fees. Checking your birth state's vital records website before sending any documents ensures you send the right forms and documentation on the first attempt, avoiding delays.