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First Name on Birth Certificate Was Misspelled

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  • 08-10-2008, 10:32 AM
    GAparapro
    First Name on Birth Certificate Was Misspelled
    My question involves name change laws in the State of: Georgia

    I'm a paraprofessional in a inner city Georgia Kindergarten classroom and have run across the issue of misspelled names on birth certificates on multiple occasions (actual misspellings of the name the parents want the child to be called, not "creative" misspellings of traditional names). Technically we have to teach these kids to spell their name the way it appears on their birth certificate, but this tends to cause many obvious issues for the child and the teacher. When we talk to the parents about it, they say that in order to get it changed it will be $200, and with other children and a low paying job, the single mothers can't afford it.

    I started looking around and I really couldn't find any sort of definite answer on how to go about changing a first name and the costs that accompany that. If the "information" that I already have is incorrect I'd like to have the actual information to pass along to these parents.

    Thank you
  • 08-10-2008, 11:40 AM
    queenie2
    Re: First Name on Birth Certificate Was Misspelled
    I think the parents have confused a name change with a birth certificate correction. According to this GA site, it only costs $20 to correct ($10 for original copy, $10 to correct):

    http://health.state.ga.us/programs/vitalrecords/faq.asp

    Quote:

    How can I make a correction to a birth certificate?
    Obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate from the state vital records office. Circle all changes you wish to make, submit a written request to be provided instructions/procedures for the desired changes. An additional fee of $10 will be required to make the change. Request should be mailed to Legal Unit, Vital Records, 2600 Skyland Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30319. No information will be provided by telephone for instructions/procedures for change. A review of the record must be made to provide proper instructions/procedures for your individual certificate.
    I suppose that they will have to pay an additional $10 to get a copy of the corrected certificate, but $30 is a far cry from $200!
  • 08-10-2008, 01:38 PM
    CourtClerk
    Re: First Name on Birth Certificate Was Misspelled
    I wonder if there is a time limit in which you can submit to the State for corrections of your birth certificate, and that's where they are having the problem. Sure, within a few months of the child's birth, you discover there is an error on the birth certificate, you pay a few bucks and have it corrected, but 5 years later???? most places, that probably would require a name change.
  • 08-10-2008, 02:51 PM
    queenie2
    Re: First Name on Birth Certificate Was Misspelled
    That could be the case. I did go back to the site, and found this:

    http://health.state.ga.us/programs/v...ords/birth.asp
    Quote:

    Special Filing Fees
    $10.00 (Does not include the $10.00 search fee which must also be included.)
    Delayed certificate of birth

    $10.00 Amending birth certificates because of adoption, paternity acknowledgment, legitimation or court order

    No special filing fee is required during the first year of birth to amend a birth record. This includes all types of amendments.
    At any rate, OP can call the Vital Records Office and find out for sure:
    Contact Information
    2600 Skyland Dr. NE
    Atlanta, GA 30319
    (404) 679-4702

    GAParapro, it's very nice of you to look into this for your students' parents!
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