R436-3. Amendment of Vital Records  


R436-3-1. Definitions
Latest version.

For purposes of this rule "putative father" means the man the birth mother specifies as the birth father.


R436-3-2. Correction of Minor Errors on Birth Certificates
Latest version.

Amendment of obvious errors, transposition of letters in words of common knowledge, or omissions may be made by the Registrar while the original certificate is still in the local office, based on personal observation, query, or upon the request of a person with a direct and tangible interest in the certificate as defined in R436-13-1(1). When such additions or minor amendments are made by the Registrar, a notation as to the source of the information, together with the date the change was made and the initials of the authorized agent making the change, shall be made on the certificate in such a way as not to become a part of any certification issued. The certificate shall not be marked "Amended." After the certificate is registered and the original has been transmitted to the State Registrar and processing completed, all corrections must be made by amendment.


R436-3-3. Amendments to Correct Errors or Omissions
Latest version.

(1) Whenever facts are not correctly stated in any certificate of birth, death or fetal death already registered, the person asserting that the error exists may make an affidavit under oath on the form prescribed by the State Registrar stating the corrections necessary to make the record correct. Such corrections shall be supported by the affidavit of one other credible person having knowledge of the facts. Such certificate, as corrected, shall be filed with the state or local registrar.

(2) If the amendment relates to a certificate which has not been transmitted to the State Registrar, the local registrar shall review the amendment for adequacy for filing. If the local registrar finds reason to doubt the adequacy of the amendment it shall be referred to the State Registrar.

(3) If the amendment relates to a certificate which has been transmitted to the State Registrar, the amendment shall be transmitted to the State Registrar who shall review it for acceptance for registration. If the State Registrar has reason to doubt the adequacy of the amendment, one or more items of documentary evidence to support the alleged facts may be required. A Supplemental Name Report may be used to add a child's name to its birth certificate when this information was not given at the time the certificate was registered. This form must be signed by both parents.

(4) An amendment shall be filed with and become part of the record to which it pertains. The original certificate shall be marked "Amended, 1 of 2," or however many parts the amendment may require. Subsequent parts will be marked accordingly.

(5) When an amendment is accepted, the State Registrar shall transmit copies of the amendment to the local registrar in whose office a copy of the original record is on file.


R436-3-4. Amendment of Medical and Health Data
Latest version.

(1) Whenever the originally furnished medical and health data of any record of death, fetal death, or live birth is modified by supplemental information the certifying physician or medical examiner having knowledge of this information, may certify, under penalty of perjury, the changes necessary to make the information correct. The cause of death information may also be amended by the physician who performs an autopsy on the deceased.

(2) This amendment shall be processed in the manner prescribed in Section R436-3-2 of these rules.


R436-3-5. Acknowledgement of Paternity by Natural Parents
Latest version.

(1) If the mother was married at any time during the pregnancy, the name of the husband shall be entered on the certificate as the father of the child, unless:

(a) paternity has been determined otherwise by a district court of this state, or

(b) the mother and the mother's husband execute joint or separate affidavits attesting that the husband is not the father of the child. The signature of the mother and of the husband shall be individually notarized on affidavit form(s). In such event, information about the father shall be omitted from the certificate, or

(c) the mother executes an affidavit attesting that the husband is not the father and that the putative father is the father, and the putative father executes an affidavit attesting that he is the father, and the husband executes an affidavit attesting that he is not the father. Affidavits may be joint or individual or a combination thereof, and each signature shall be individually notarized. In such event, the putative father shall be shown as the father on the certificate.

(2) If the mother was not married at any time during the pregnancy, the name of the father shall not be entered on the certificate without a declaration of paternity signed by the mother and the putative father.

(3) In any case in which paternity of a child is determined by a district court of this state, the name of the father and surname of the child shall be added to the certificate of birth in accordance with the finding and order of the court. If the court order does not specifically change the surname of the child, the child's surname shall remain the name listed on the original birth certificate.

(4) If the father is not named on the certificate of birth, no other information about the father shall be entered on the certificate.

(5) The affidavit for the declaration of paternity referenced in this rule shall be on a form provided by the State Registrar. When completed prior to the registration of the birth certificate they will be filed with the original birth certificate. When completed after the birth certificate has been registered they should be transmitted to the State Registrar for filing.