How can I change my birth certificate name in Arkansas?

Full question:

I started school in 1954 without a birth certificate, under the name: __________. My name on my birth certificate is ______________. All my records are under ________________ Except my birth certificate. what must I do too have my birth certificate change, to ___________

Answer:

To change your birth certificate name, you may need to request a court-ordered name change. This court order can also include a request to amend your birth certificate. In Arkansas, the process begins by filing a Petition for Change of Name with the Chancery or Circuit Court in your area. The Petition should state your current name, the name you wish to adopt, and your reasons for the change.

After filing the Petition and paying the required fee, the court may schedule a hearing. During the hearing, the court will review the circumstances of your request. If the court finds your request valid, it will issue an Order allowing the name change. You can then use your new name.

For details on how to amend your birth certificate, contact the Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records Department at: 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, or call or .

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

If a birth certificate does not include a name, it may create challenges for the individual later in life. This can affect legal identification, school enrollment, and obtaining government documents. In such cases, a name change process may be required to amend the birth certificate and establish a legal name.