How to Change a Name on a Birth Certificate in Utah

The Utah Department of Vital Records provides birth certificates that bear the name an individual is given when he was born. Once the certificate has been issued, if you desire to amend the certified name, you must follow the protocol that has been implemented by the state of Utah. You can amend your birth certificate name for a variety or reasons, such as marriage or religion. You can also change your name to correct a misspelling on your original birth certificate.

Ensure that you have been living in your current Utah county for at least one year and that you are 18 years of age or older.

Obtain a copy of the form, “Department of Corrections Certification Regarding Sex Offender Registry” (See Resources). The purpose of this form is to certify that you are not a registered sex offender. Enter your birth name, date of birth, and driver's license number on the form and mail it to the Utah Department of Corrections to be completed. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so the completed form can be mailed back to you.

Obtain a copy of these forms: “Petition For Name Change” and the “Cover Sheet For Civil Filing Actions” (See Resources).

Take the Petition For Name Change form to a notary public to have it notarized. Do not sign the form until you are in the presence of the notary public. The notary public will ask to see your government-issued photo identification to verify your identity.

Gather all of your completed documents, “Department of Corrections Certification Regarding Sex Offender Registry,” notarized “Petition For Name Change” form, and “Cover Sheet For Civil Filing Actions.” Take all of the forms to your local district courthouse.

Submit the forms to the courthouse clerk along with the filing fee of $360, as of 2010. The clerk will assign a date for your hearing before the judge.

Attend your hearing on the date specified. Your name change will be officially granted or denied during the hearing. Return to the court clerk after the judge has granted your name change. Advise the clerk that you would like to obtain a certified copy of the name change decree.

Visit the Utah Department of Vital records. Advise the clerk that you would like to amend the name that appears on your birth certificate so that it reflects your new name. Present the certified copy of your name change decree along with the amendment fee of $25, as of 2010. You will be provided with a certified copy of your birth certificate bearing your new name.

Ensure that the child has been living in the current Utah county for at least one year and is under 18 years of age.

Obtain a copy of these forms: “Petition For Minor's Name Change,” “Cover Sheet For Civil Filing Actions,” and “Consent to Minor's Name Change” (See Resources).

Take the “Petition For Minor's Name Change” to a notary public to have it notarized. Provide the consent form to the other parent or legal guardian of the minor child, so he can consent to the legal name change. The other parent signing the consent form must also take the form to a notary public to have the form notarized. Submit all of your completed forms to the district courthouse clerk along with the filing fee of $360, as of 2010.

Attend your hearing on the date assigned to you by the courthouse clerk. The child's name change will be officially granted or denied during the hearing.

Visit the Utah Department of Vital records. Advise the clerk that you would like to amend the name that appears on the child's birth certificate. Present a certified copy of the child's name change decree along with the amendment fee of $25, as of 2010. You will receive a certified copy of the birth certificate bearing the child's new name.

Obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate from the Utah Department of Vital Records. The cost of the certified copy is $18, as of 2010. There are four ways you can request a copy of your birth certificate. The quickest way is to make a personal visit the Utah Department of Vital Records. Secondly, you can request a copy online by visiting the Utah Department of Health website and clicking on "Online Services." Thirdly, you can request a certified copy by calling 866-632-2602. The fourth and slowest way to request a copy is to mail your request to the following address:

Office of Vital Records and Statistics PO Box 141012 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012

Complete the affidavit that is located on the back of the certified copy of your birth certificate.

Return the completed affidavit to the Utah Department of Vital Records, along with the amendment fee of $25, as of 2010. When returning the form, submit a copy of documents that reflect your correctly spelled name, such as voter registration cards, church or medical records, school records, and military records.

Wait to receive a certified copy of your birth certificate bearing your new name. If you made a visit to the Utah Department of Vital Records, you will receive your certified copy on the same day as your request, unless your request is made after 5:30 p.m. Requests taken after 5:30 p.m. will be processed the next business day. If you submitted your request online, via telephone or mail, it can take up to three weeks to receive your certified copy in the mail.