Who Can Make the Request? (Applicant)
Anyone who was born in Oregon and needs to change their name or sex designation on their birth certificate to reflect their gender identity is eligible. Individuals who previously changed their name but have not changed their sex will be eligible to change their sex designation on their birth record under the law. (HB 2673)
The following people are eligible to submit the application:
- The registrant - Must be 18 or older or an emancipated minor.
(Court documentation of emancipation is required.)
- A parent listed on the birth certificate (if the registrant is less than 18 years of age).
- The registrant's legal guardian (if the registrant is less than 18 years of age).
(Court documentation of guardianship is required.)
- A legal representative of one of the above.
(A notarized statement from one of the above stating that the legal representative is authorized to act on their behalf is required.)
On This Page:
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Collect Information for the Application Process
Complete the Application
Sign/Notarize the Application
Items to Submit | Fees
Submit the Application, all Documentation, and Fees
Documentation you will receive after the application is processed
Will other agencies accept this new birth record?
CONTACT INFORMATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Collect Information for the Application Process
It is vital to enter all information on the application exactly as it currently appears on the registrant's most recent birth certificate that is registered with the state.
If you are unsure of what information is currently registered, we strongly recommend ordering one new certificate to assist in correctly filling out the application.
If you order a certificate for this purpose, it can be exchanged free of charge within one year of the date the certificate was issued. So, if you order and pay for a certificate before you submit the application, make sure to include that certificate for exchange with your application and amendment fee.
If the applicant is the registrant or a parent listed on the birth certificate and their name does not match what is currently listed on the birth certificate, proof of how their name was changed must be submitted.
Examples of proof include a court ordered name change or a name changed through marriage. If the applicant was married in Oregon, Oregon Vital Records can do a search for their marriage record. If the applicant was married out of state, they must provide an original marriage certificate as proof of name change. (This is not the commemorative certificate completed at the wedding ceremony, but a printed document from the state's Vital Records Office.) Any original supporting documents submitted for this process will be returned to the applicant.
Complete the Application
Complete items 1-15 of the
Application to Change the Name and/or Sex on a Record of Live Birth to Support Gender Identity (Form HB2673). Please type in answers or print clearly in blue or black ink. Incomplete forms may be subject to rejection.
Do NOT sign the application until asked to do so by the Notary Public.
Tips for completing items 1-15:
APPLICANT INFORMATION
#1: This is the applicant's full, legal name. (Timothy Test Example not Tim T Example)
#2: This is the applicant's residential address.
#3: If the mailing address is the same as #2, leave blank or write N/A.
#4: Provide the best number to reach the applicant by phone from the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
#5: Provide the best address to reach the applicant by email from the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
#6: Relationship examples include Mother, Father, Legal Representative, Guardian.
- If applicant is also the registrant, write “Self"
REGISTRANT INFORMATION ON THE RECORD TO BE AMENDED
It is important to write information in this section as it appears on the registrant's birth certificate. Do NOT abbreviate names or provide initials (Jon for Jonathan or T. for Timothy)
#7: Write the EXACT names that appear on the registrant's birth certificate.
#8: Provide the date of birth in the MM/DD/YYYY format.
#9: Write the sex that appears on the registrant's birth certificate.
- M for Male
- F for Female
- U for Undetermined
#10: List either the city
or county of birth.
#11: List the Mother/Parent A's full name at the
Mother/Parent A's birth as it appears on the registrant's birth certificate.
NOTE: Inaccurate information is often provided for this number, causing the application to be rejected and returned to the applicant for resubmission. Please read these directions carefully.
- For the mother/parent A, this with be their name at their birth or prior to their first marriage as it appears on the registrant's birth certificate.
- This may have several different labels and box numbers, depending on the year the registrant was born and what certificate was requested.
- Maiden Surname (box 7b of some birth certificates)
- Name Prior to First Marriage (box 5b, 5c, or 6c of some birth certificates)
- Mother of Child (Maiden Name) (box 8 of some birth certificates)
- On some birth certificates, the last name at the mother/parent A's birth is listed alone in its own box, often labeled “Maiden Surname." Make sure to write the maiden surname with the first and middle name.
In the below example, the registrant's mother was born with the name of Mary Fake Test. Her name was Mary Fake Example when the registrant was born.
Mary Fake Test should be written in #11.
- The mother's name at her birth is much easier to identify in the below birth certificate. The whole name is recorded under “Name Prior to First Marriage."
#12: List the Father/Parent B's full name as it appears on the registrant's birth certificate.
- If only one parent is listed on the current certificate, write N/A in the blank parent's section.
# 13a: If changing the registrant's name, make sure to check the box and provide how the new name should appear for the new birth certificate.
#14a/b: If changing the sex, check the box in 14a
and choose the box of the new sex in 14b.
- M – male
- F – female
- X – non-binary
#15: If requesting a new copy of the updated birth certificate, check the box and indicate how many copies and which type of certificate you would like sent to you. See Fees (below) for more information.
IMPORTANT:
If ANY words are crossed out or any white out is used on the form, the application will be rejected. If you make a mistake, fill out the form again completely. If you are able to save the form to a computer or the cloud and fill it out with a keyboard, you can reprint it if you find and fix any errors.
Sign/Notarize the Application
The applicant must take the completed application to a Notary Public and sign it in the presence of the notary.
When signing the form be sure to use the name as it appears on the ID being submitted with the order. These will need to match.
A Notary Public can be found in many places of business. Banks, insurance companies and shipping or document preparation companies will often have a Notary Public.
Items to Submit | Fees
1. Application to Change the Name and/or Sex on a Record of Live Birth to Support Gender Identity (Form HB2673).
2. A legible copy of a current, valid government-issued photo ID for the applicant. The ID must have your current legal name.
- This includes a driver's license, permit, or ID card; passport or passport card; armed service ID card; permanent resident card; and Tribal ID card. Visit this web page for a complete listing of acceptable forms of ID.
If the applicant is the registrant's parent and their ID does not match the name listed on the registrant's birth certificate, proof of how the applicant's name was changed must be submitted.
Examples of proof include a court ordered name change or a name changed through marriage. If the applicant was married in Oregon, Oregon Vital Records can do a search for their marriage record. If the applicant was married out of state, they must provide an original marriage certificate as proof of name change. (This is not the commemorative certificate completed at the wedding ceremony, but a printed document from the state's Vital Records Office.) Any original supporting documents submitted for this process will be returned to the applicant.
3. A $35 Amendment Fee.
4. Certificate Fees (If requesting a new copy of the updated birth certificate, (# 15 on the application).
-
Registrants born in 2008 or later: $25 - For each computer issued birth certificate.
-
Registrants born before 2008 have two options:
- $25 - For each computer issued birth certificate.
- The computer issued certificate for births before 2008 (also called short form) is a printout of the following birth information:
- Full name of registrant
- Date of birth
- County of birth
- State file date
- Mother/Parent A's full name/Maiden
- Mother/Parent A's state of birth
- Father/Parent B's full name
- Father/Parent B's state of birth
- State file number
- $30 – For each full image birth certificate that shows full birth information.
- The full image certificate (also called long form) is a copy of the original paper or microfilm birth record. It contains the above information as well as:
- Time of birth
- Name of hospital or birth facility
- Mother/Parent A's address
- Parents dates of birth
- Parents ages
- Signature of certifier
LEARN MORE
Visit our Types of Birth Records in Oregon web page for more information about the computer issued and full image options for the birth certificate.
-
Please
submit one payment that includes
all amendment and certificate fees:
- Oregon Vital Records accepts checks and money orders for mail and drop box orders.
- Checks and money orders should be made out to Oregon Vital Records.
- If you recently ordered and paid for a birth certificate within the last year and would like it replaced with a new certificate, return the birth certificate with your application and amendment fee. We will issue you your new certificate to replace the one you exchanged free of charge. Note, if you want more than one new certificate, you will need to pay for those additional copies.
Submit the Application, all Documentation, and Fees
By Mail: By Drop Box: Located at the entrance of the west door (in parking lot).
Oregon Vital Records Oregon Vital Records
PO Box 14050 800 NE Oregon St
Portland, OR 97293 Portland, OR 97232
Make sure all items are in a sealed envelope when using the drop box.
Documentation you will receive after the application is processed
Once all forms, documentation, and fees have been received, the application will be reviewed.
If the request to make an administrative change of name and/or sex to support gender identity is approved, the applicant will receive documentation that includes:
- A copy of the application form requesting the change.
- Correspondence from the State Registrar on the final decision.
- A new birth certificate for the registrant (if requested on the application and payment was received).
If denied, the applicant will receive correspondence indicating the reason for denial.
Will other agencies accept this new birth record?
We cannot guarantee if other agencies will accept these amended certificates to change information already on file with the agency.
For records with an amended sex designation, nothing on the certificate will indicate an amendment occurred. This may make it difficult to connect the current record with any previous name on file at other agencies. In some cases, agencies might require a court order to recognize the new name and/or sex. We will work with applicants that ask us to explain the process to another agency, but we do not control the rules or procedures of other agencies and cannot speak for them.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Please contact our Amendment Unit at CHS.Amendments@oha.oregon.gov or 971-673-1147 if you have a question about this process or need help explaining this process to another agency.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will there be a reference to my previous name and/or sex on my new birth record?
If only the name is changed through this administrative process there will be a footnote, but the previous name will not be included.
For example, if your original name was John Example the name “John Example” would not be referenced in the footnote. The footnote would be similar to the following:
If sex, or name and sex, are changed through this administrative process there will be no footnote?
Like all records that are changed, there may be filing numbers added that are used internally, but the previous name and sex will not appear anywhere on the birth record.
Can a parent use HB 2673 to update their information on the registrant’s record?
No. HB2673 was written to support the registrant’s gender identity. To update parent information, please contact
CHS.Amendments@oha.oregon.gov.
How long does it take before I receive a new birth certificate?
The Application to Change the Name and/or Sex on a Record of Live Birth to Support Gender Identity will be processed in the order it was received. Processing times vary.
What if I don’t have an ID in my current legal name?
If the name on your identification differs from your legal name or the name on your birth record, please provide an original certified record of the document that changed your name. For example, a certified court ordered name change, marriage record, or divorce record. The original document will be returned to you after the application process is complete.
What if I don’t have appropriate documentation?
If you are unable to sufficiently prove your eligibility to amend or order the record, or otherwise lack appropriate documentation, we may not be able to approve your request to change name or sex administratively. In this case, you would receive correspondence explaining why your application cannot be processed. Changing your name and/or sex through a court order would still be possible.
Do both parents need to sign the application to change the name and/or sex designation of a minor?
No. If the name and/or sex designation of a child is being changed with an Application to Change the Name and/or Sex on a Record of Live Birth to Support Gender Identity, the law only requires one parent to sign the application. For more information, see
ORS 432.235 (3)(a).
How do I update my information at the Social Security Office or DMV after my birth record is changed?
Each agency has their own unique requirements and procedures for updating information. You should contact the agency in question directly for specific instructions. In general, organizations will want to see a certified copy of the updated birth record.
Can I change my name and/or sex more than once through this administrative process?
No. Changing your name and/or sex through the administrative route authorized by HB2673 can only be done once. Any subsequent changes to name and/or sex would require a court order.
No. The name and sex can each be changed only once through this administrative process, but they do not need to be changed at the same time.
Can I still change my name and sex through a court order?
Yes. Name and sex can still be changed through a court order. In some cases, a person may opt to change their name and/or sex through a court order rather than using this administrative process to facilitate acceptance by agencies that may not recognize the change.
Can I change my record if I am no longer living in Oregon?
Yes. If you were born in Oregon but no longer reside here, you may still update your birth record. This can be done by submitting the necessary documents by using the Drop Box or through the mail.
Can I get an apostille of my new birth record?
Yes. Instructions for obtaining an apostille and additional information may be found at
http://sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/apostille.aspx.
Can I get an apostille of the Application to Change the Name and/or Sex on a Record of Live Birth to Support Gender Identity?
An apostille is a document authorized by the Hague Convention of 1961 that confirms the signature and authenticity of a government document generally required for international use. The attestation/application likely will not qualify for an apostille. See
http://sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/apostille.aspx for more information about Apostille from the Oregon Secretary of State.