- This page, Amend or correct a birth, death, or marriage record, is offered by
- Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
- Department of Public Health
Amend or correct a birth, death, or marriage record
Contacts
Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
Phone
Online
The Details of Amend or correct a birth, death, or marriage record
What you need for Amend or correct a birth, death, or marriage record
To correct a mistake on a birth, death or marriage record you will need to show evidence that the information was incorrect at or near the time of the event. In most cases, vital records list only what was true at the time of the birth, marriage or death, and updates are not made for changes that happened later. For example, you cannot change your birth record solely for a legal change of name.
The process to amend or correct a birth, death or marriage certificate begins at the city or town clerk where the event took place or in a marriage certificates case where the notice of intentions form was completed. When you visit or reach out to the clerk’s office you will want to request information regarding the evidence and paperwork required to have that vital record amended.
Fees for Amend or correct a birth, death, or marriage record
Name | Fee | Unit |
---|---|---|
Amendment fee | $50 | one-time |
Certified copy of amended record (by mail) | $32 | per copy |
Certified copy of amended record (in person) | $20 | per copy |
How to amend Amend or correct a birth, death, or marriage record
Email: RVRSAmendments@mass.gov
Call: (617) 740-2674
Contact the Registry by phone or email to see what amendment requests can be processed by mail. You do not need to contact the Registry to amend a birth certificate following medical intervention for the purpose of sex reassignment.
An appointment is required to complete an amendment in person. Constituents can request an appointment by emailing RVRSAmendments@mass.gov or by calling (617) 740-2674.
More info for Amend or correct a birth, death, or marriage record
Some exceptions:
- Add or change a parent on a birth certificate
You can add or change parent information by:- Submitting a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage form to add a biological father
- A Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage form is available at the Registry or at the city or town where the birth occurred. This form establishes a biological father. If the mother was married at the time of birth to someone other than the biological father, then an Affidavit of Non-Paternity must also be completed by the mother and her spouse.
- Court adjudication of parentage to add a parent or to replace or remove a listed parent
- An adoption:
- If a child is born in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Probate and Family courts send evidence of adoption or adjudication of parentage directly to the Registry. These changes will process in the order received. A separate application for amendment is not necessary. However, a certified copy of the amended record is not sent automatically. You must request a certified copy of the record after the amendment is complete. Contact the Registry for more information.
- Submitting a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage form to add a biological father
- Amend a birth certificate for sex and name of the subject
Learn how to amend the sex of the subject on a birth record. - Other exceptions are rare, but include usual situations such as judgments in equity from a court or changing the access status of a record after marriage between parents already listed on a record.