How to Amend a Birth Certificate in Los Angeles County (California): A Complete Guide
Noticed an error on your birth certificate — or need to update it? You're not alone. Thousands of California residents each year need to correct spelling mistakes, update names, add a parent, or reflect a gender identity change on a birth record. The good news: it's doable. The slightly more complicated news: it requires the right forms, supporting documents, fees — and in most cases, a notarized sworn statement.
This guide walks you through exactly how to amend a birth certificate in LA County and California step by step.
Why Would You Need to Amend a Birth Certificate?
There are many valid reasons to amend or correct a California birth certificate, including:
Spelling errors on the child's name or parents' names
Missing name fields (first, middle, or last name left blank)
Incorrect date, time, or place of birth
Adding or changing a parent's name (parentage amendment)
Updating the sex field to reflect gender identity
Name change following a court order
The type of correction you need determines which form you'll use and what supporting documents and fees are required.
Who Handles Birth Certificate Amendments in California?
Here's something many people don't realize: birth certificate amendments in California are handled at the state level, not the county level.
Even if you were born in Los Angeles County, your amendment application goes to the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) in Sacramento — not the LA County Registrar-Recorder or the LA County Department of Public Health.
LA County Vital Records: Handles new birth certificate requests and copies for births registered in LA County (except Pasadena and Long Beach).
CDPH – Vital Records: Handles all amendments and corrections to existing California birth certificates.
Mailing address for amendments:
CDPH – Vital Records, Amendments
MS 5105, P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
Which Form Do You Need?
California uses different forms depending on the type of correction. Here's a quick breakdown:
What You're Changing - Form to Use
Spelling errors - VS 24B – Application to Amend a Birth Record
Missing name - VS 24B – Application to Amend a Birth Record
Sex (hospital error) - VS 24B – Application to Amend a Birth Record
Parents' place/date of birth - VS 24B – Application to Amend a Birth Record
Date/time/place of birth - VS 24B – Application to Amend a Birth Record
Update sex field/gender identity - VS 24B – Application to Amend a Birth Record
Add, remove, or replace a parent - VS 21 – Amendment of Parentage
Name change after a court order - VS 23 – Amendment to Reflect Court Order Change of Name
All of these forms are available on the CDPH website at cdph.ca.gov.
The Notary Requirement — This Is Where We Come In
Almost every birth certificate amendment submitted by mail requires a notarized Sworn Statement (Form VS 20). This requirement has been in place since July 1, 2003, and exists to protect against identity theft.
The VS 20 Sworn Statement is your signed declaration — under penalty of perjury — that you are an authorized person eligible to receive or amend the certified record.
Who qualifies as an "authorized person" under California law?
The registrant (the person named on the certificate), if 18 or older
A parent or legal guardian of the registrant
A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the registrant
An attorney representing the registrant or their estate
A party entitled to the record by court order
The notary does not fill out the VS 20 for you. You sign the statement in front of a notary, and the notary completes the Certificate of Acknowledgment section confirming they witnessed your signature.
Need a notary for your birth certificate amendment? We come to you — home, office, hospital, or anywhere in Los Angeles County. 👉 Book a Mobile Notary Appointment
Step-by-Step: How to Amend a Birth Certificate in LA County / California
Step 1: Identify What Needs to Be Changed
Start by pulling out the current birth certificate and writing down exactly what is incorrect and what the correct information should be. This will determine which form you need.
Step 2: Download the Correct Form
Visit cdph.ca.gov and search "amend birth record" to find the appropriate form and its accompanying informational pamphlet. Read the pamphlet carefully — each form type has its own checklist and instructions.
Send the form you need printed via email to [hello] at nopanotary.com, if you want us to bring a printed form to your appointment.
Step 3: Complete the Amendment Form (Part 1 & Part 2)
Part 1 must match the information as it currently appears on the birth certificate (even if it's wrong).
Part 2 is where you enter the corrected information and your reason for the change.
If the record was previously amended, Part 1 must reflect the most recent version of the record.
Step 4: Gather Supporting Documents
Supporting documents are optional for many amendment types, but strongly recommended. Common supporting documents include:
A photocopy of the child's Social Security card (you can black out the number)
A government-issued ID or passport showing the correct spelling
Marriage certificate or Domestic Partnership declaration (for parentage changes)
Court order (if applicable — e.g., name changes, some parentage changes)
Photocopy of the current birth certificate (optional but helpful)
If any documents are in a language other than English, you must include a certified English translation.
Step 5: Complete the VS 20 Sworn Statement
Download Form VS 20 from the CDPH website. Fill in your information and sign it — but don't sign it until you're in front of a notary. The notary will witness your signature and complete the Certificate of Acknowledgment section.
This is the step where most people get stuck. You need a notary, and the notary must physically witness you signing the document. 👉 Schedule a Same-Day Mobile Notary in LA County
Step 6: Prepare Your Payment
Fees are paid by check or money order only — do not send cash. Make it payable to CDPH Vital Records.
Fees due depend upon three factors:
When you submit the amendment request
The nature of the correction
Number of certified copies of the amended record you request
Common fees, at press time. Verify current amounts at cdph.ca.gov before submitting:
VS 24B amendment fee: $0–$31, depending on the timing of correction submission.
Amendments submitted before one year of the child’s date of birth:
$0, to register the amendment, but does not include a certified copy of the amended certificate.
Certified copies are $31 each.
Amendments submitted after one year of the child’s date of birth:
$26 to register the amendment, and includes one certified copy of the amended certificate.
Additional certified copies are $31.
Amendment submitted to change or correct the sex field of the child, or parent on the child’s birth certificate, regardless of timing:
$26 to register the amendment, and includes one certified copy of the amended certificate.
Additional certified copies are $31.
Certified copy of amended record: $31 per copy.
VS 21 parentage amendment:
$26, which includes one certified copy.
Additional certified copies are $31.
Step 7: Mail Everything to CDPH
Send your complete packet to:
CDPH – Vital Records, Amendments MS 5105, P.O. Box 997410 Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
Include:
Completed amendment form
Completed and notarized VS 20 Sworn Statement
Supporting documents (copies, not originals)
Check or money order for the correct fee
Keep copies of everything you send. CDPH will not return submitted documents.
Let us know if you’d like help mailing it, or securing a money order for your fees.
Special Situations: When a Court Order May Be Required
Some amendments cannot be made with just a form — they may require a court order first. To determine if your situation needs a court order, ask CDPH, or your attorney if you have one.
A court order may be required to:
Change a child's name on a birth certificate
Remove or replace a parent's name in certain circumstances (contested parentage)
Add a parent when there is no marriage certificate, VDOP, or qualifying domestic partnership
Once you have the court order, you bring it to CDPH along with the appropriate form (typically the VS 23 for name changes or VS 21 for parentage). The original birth record stays the same — the amendment becomes an attached second page, or in some cases, a new one-page replacement record is issued.
How Long Does It Take?
CDPH processes amendments by mail. Processing times vary and are not guaranteed. If you need an amended certificate quickly, consider:
Including a self-addressed, prepaid envelope with tracking when you mail your application
Calling CDPH Vital Records at (916) 445-2684 to ask about current processing times
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Sending originals of supporting documents — CDPH will not return them. Send photocopies only.
Using the wrong form — Double-check the CDPH amendment overview before you fill anything out.
Signing the VS 20 before seeing a notary — The notary must witness your signature. If you sign ahead of time, the document may be rejected.
Sending cash — Only checks or money orders are accepted.
Part 1 doesn't match the current certificate — Even if the information is wrong, Part 1 must reflect what's on the record as it stands today.
Your Checklist: Amending a California Birth Certificate
Use this checklist before you mail your amendment packet:
Identified the correct form for your type of amendment (VS 24B, VS 21, or VS 23)
Completed the amendment form — Part 1 matches current certificate, Part 2 shows correction
Gathered supporting documents (photocopies only)
Downloaded and filled in VS 20 Sworn Statement (but did NOT sign it yet)
Schedule a notary appointment to sign the VS 20 in front of a notary
Had VS 20 notarized — notary completed the Certificate of Acknowledgment
Prepared check or money order to CDPH Vital Records for the correct fee
Made copies of everything in the packet for your own records
Addressed envelope to CDPH – Vital Records, MS 5105, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
(Optional) Included a self-addressed, prepaid tracking envelope for the return
Ready to Get Your Sworn Statement Notarized?
The notarization step is one of the last things you do before mailing — and one of the most important. An unsigned or improperly notarized VS 20 will result in your amendment being rejected and returned.
We make the notarization fast and easy. As a mobile notary serving all of Los Angeles County, we come to you — no need to find an in-office notary, figure out parking downtown, or rearrange your schedule.
We notarize:
VS 20 Sworn Statements for birth certificate amendments
VS 21, VS 23, VS 24B accompanying declarations
Court documents, powers of attorney, and more
👉 Book Your Mobile Notary Appointment Today
Same-day and next-day appointments available throughout LA County.
