Tag Archive for: vital records

Obtaining a New Birth Certificate After Adoption

After your adoption hearing, you will still need to take a few steps to obtain a new birth certificate. A Certificate of Adoption is forwarded by the court to Vital Records to alert them the adoption was finalized. You would then contact Vital Records with a request for a new birth certificate and submit the applicable fee. Pennsylvania presently charges $20 for a new birth certificate, unless you are a military member, in which case the fee can be waived. The adoptive parents’ names and child’s name after adoption should be included in the application for birth certificate. The completed application, ID and payment would then go to Vital Records.

Processing times for receipt of the new birth certificate vary. The average time for adoptions is currently five (5) weeks. These steps are for a child born in Pennsylvania. If the child was born in another state, the Certificate of Adoption would be forwarded to Vital Records in the state where the child was born. You would need to follow that state’s procedures for obtaining a new birth certificate. For additional information on requesting a new birth certificate through Pennsylvania visit: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/certificates/Pages/Birth-Certificates.aspx

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Birth Certificates

Additional copies of a birth certificate may be ordered from the Department of Vital Records. An application is required along with a fee. Fees may be waived for members of the armed forces Parties that may request a birth certificate include attorney or legal representative (documentation may be required), spouse, parent or step-parent (must submit marriage record supporting the relationship), grandparent or great-grandparent (specify maternal or paternal), and power of attorney for person named on birth certificate or immediate family member listed above. The following individuals may also submit an application if over age 18: person named on the birth certificate, siblings (including half siblings), children or step-children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Simple changes to a birth certificate can be made by agreement of the parents through the Department of Vital Records as well. Desired corrections can be stated on the back of the birth certificate and must be signed by both parties in the presence of a notary. A change in civil status form is required for a name change on a birth certificate due to the subsequent marriage of the biological parents. An acknowledgment of paternity form must be filed to have the biological father added to a birth certificate where no one was previously listed. The Pennsylvania Department of Vital Records can be reached at (844)228-3516 or at the address below:

Division of Vital Records Attn: Corrections Unit 101 S. Mercer Street, Room 401 PO Box 1528 New Castle, PA 16101

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New Birth Certificates

Additional copies of a birth certificate may be ordered from the Department of Vital Records. An application is required along with a fee of $20. Fees may be waived for members of the armed forces. Simple changes to a birth certificate can be made by agreement of the parents through the Department of Vital Records as well. Desired corrections can be stated on the back of the birth certificate and must be signed by both parties in the presence of a notary. A change in civil status form is required for a name change on a birth certificate due to the subsequent marriage of the biological parents. An acknowledgment of paternity form must be filed to have the biological father added to a birth certificate where no one was previously listed.

Following adoption, a new birth certificate will be issued upon receipt of the Certificate of Adoption certified by the local Orphan’s Court and then submitted to the Department of Vital Records. Other types of name change may require a court order. The procedures for a petition for a name change must be followed. A court order approving the name change may be obtained following a hearing. A certified copy of the court order with raised seal must be sent to the Department of Vital Records to obtain a new birth certificate. The Pennsylvania Department of Vital Records can be reached at (844)228-3516 or at the address below. Click here to read more about name changes.

Division of Vital Records
Attn: Corrections Unit
101 S. Mercer Street, Room 401
PO Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16101

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