§22-9A-19. Amendment of vital records.

(a) A certificate registered under this chapter may be amended only in accordance with this chapter and rules adopted by the board to protect the integrity and accuracy of vital records.

(b) A certificate that is amended under this section shall be marked "AMENDED" except as otherwise provided in this section. The date of amendment and a summary description of the evidence submitted in support of the amendment shall be made a part of the record. Additions or minor corrections may be made to certificates within one year after the date of the event without the certificate being marked "AMENDED." The board shall prescribe by rules the conditions under which additions or minor corrections may be made.

(c) Amendment of names on a birth certificate.

(1) Until the fifth birthday of the registrant, given names for a child whose birth was recorded without given names may be added to the certificate upon affidavit of both parents, or the mother in the case of a child born out of wedlock, or the father in the case of the death or incapacity of the mother, or the mother in the case of the death or incapacity of the father, or the guardian or agency having legal custody of the registrant. The certificate shall not be marked "AMENDED."

(2) Until the first birthday of the child, given names may be amended upon affidavit of both parents, or the mother in the case of a child born out of wedlock, or the father in the case of the death or incapacity of the mother, or the mother in the case of the death or incapacity of the father, or the guardian or agency having legal custody of the registrant. The certificate shall be marked "AMENDED." After one year from the date of birth, the provisions of subdivision (c)(3) of this section shall be followed.

(3) Upon receipt of a certified copy of an order from a court with competent jurisdiction changing the name of a person born in this state, the State Registrar shall amend the certificate of birth to show the new name.

(d) Upon receipt of a certified copy of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction indicating that the sex of an individual born in this state has been changed by surgical procedure and that the name of the individual has been changed, the certificate of birth of the individual shall be amended as prescribed by rules to reflect the changes.

(e) If an applicant does not submit the minimum documentation required in the rules for amending a vital record, or if the State Registrar has reasonable cause to question the validity or adequacy of the sworn statements or the documentary evidence of the applicant, the State Registrar shall not amend the vital record, unless the deficiencies are corrected.

(f) Once an amendment of an item is made on a vital record, that item shall not be amended again except upon receipt of an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.

(Acts 1992, No. 92-607, p. 1255, §19.)