How Do I Change a Name on a Birth Certificate Issued Abroad While in the Military?

Full question:

I was born in a US Army military hospital in Munich, Germany while my father was serving in the US Army and my US mother was able to live there with him. Both parents are US citizens. My first name is misspelled by one letter (Scot, when it should be Scott). All other documents (i.e. marriage license, passport, Soc. security card, etc...) are Scott with 2 ' t's '. Any idea how I can get my birth certificate fixed. I am concerned that if something happened to me my family would have a tough time collecting benefits and such..........I also just have a Dept. of State, Foreign Service of The United States Of America, Certification of Birth with the incorrect spelling so going to a state bureau won't help. Thank you for your advise....Scott

• Category: Name Change
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: New Jersey

Answer:

To amend or correct a Consular Report of Birth, submit a written request - accompanied by certified copies of all documents appropriate for effecting the change (e.g., foreign birth certificate, marriage certificate, court ordered adoption or name change, birth certificates of the adopting or legitimating parents, affidavits, etc.). The original FS-240 or replacement FS-240, or a notarized affidavit concerning its whereabouts, also must be included.

You may need to submit a court ordered name change order. The process for obtaining a name change in the State of New Jersey begins with the filing of a verified complaint with the Superior Court in the jurisdiction in which the petitioner resides. The complaint states the Petitioner's name, the name the Plaintiff wishes to adopt, the reasons for the requested change of name, that the application is not made with the intent to avoid creditors or to obstruct criminal prosecution or for other fraudulent purposes.

After the Complaint is filed and the required fee is paid, the Court will set the Complaint for a hearing not less than thirty (30) days from the date of the Order of Publication. The Plaintiff is required to give public notice of the relief requested and the date of the hearing in a local newspaper. The notice must be published once at least two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled hearing.

After publication is complete, the Plaintiff must submit proof of publication to the Clerk of the Court. This is accomplished by filing an affidavit provided by the newspaper verifying the publication. The affidavit is attached to a copy of the published notice and filed with the Clerk.

Please see the information at the following link for further discussion:

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_828.html