What to Do if There Is No Name on Your Birth Certificate

Although it may seem unusual, many birth certificates without names have been issued. This has caused individuals some difficulty when trying to order vital records online.  Here are some common scenarios that can result in no name for a child or a parent being on this document, and what to do if this has happened to you.

How and Why Are Names Omitted?

There are many reasons for a name not appearing on a birth certificate. For example, parents don’t necessarily have to name their newborn child at the time they’re born; they have one year to do this. However, due to life circumstances, they may have forgotten to do so.
 
Some communities, such as the Amish, may not record a child’s birth at all. This can mean that many adults don’t have a birth certificate. In the case of same-sex marriage, some states still require that each parent on a child’s birth certificate be of different gender, resulting in birth certificates without parents’ names.
 
A child’s first or last name may also have been spelled incorrectly on this document. Regardless, it’s never a good idea to have no name on your birth certificate for a passport or when trying to get other important documents. For those wondering how to get a birth certificate with parents names on it or to obtain their first birth certificate, there is a process to follow.

Getting Your Name on a Birth Certificate

For those wondering if a birth certificate without a name is valid, the answer is no. Where this is the case, filing for a legal name change is really the only way to ensure a name or a correct name appears on the certificate. This will allow it to be used to obtain every other important document that will be needed in the future.
 
For those who never had a birth certificate, a search will have to be requested. Once it’s been confirmed that no birth certificate was issued, a birth certificate application must be completed and submitted with secondary evidence like a baptism certificate, community directory, or marriage license.
 
Of course, the exact process does vary by state; in some states, a signed affidavit may be necessary, as well as appearing in court and providing records from a school or hospital.

How to Get a Father’s Name on Your Birth Certificate

You can update the father’s name on your birth certificate, but this process will also vary from state to state. You will have to send a copy of your original birth certificate to your state’s Department of Vital Statistics and also have the father sign an affidavit in which they acknowledge paternity, which you will then submit.

Get Birth Certificate and Other Vital Records, Fast

Do you need a birth certificate if you’re traveling, getting a license, or registering for school soon? Yes. So, why wait? FastBirthCertificates has you covered. Our simple, 3-step process is all you need. Discover why so many choose us when they want to order their documents online.