Determine the type of correction you wish to make. The Arizona department of health services will only allow corrections to birth records based on adherence to the state laws and statutes. Generally, you may request a change in birth record information if you have documented information that contradicts what is present on the birth certificate or if an administrative error occurred. For reference, the state laws that guide the correction or amendment of birth records are Arizona state statutes §36-301.6 and state administrative codes Title 9, Chapter 19, Sections 114 through 118.
Contact the hospital of birth. If the birth occurred in a hospital, then contact the facility to obtain birth records that may be used to correct the information recorded by the state. The hospital should generate a Hospital Correction Letter and Certificate of Live Birth/Hospital Worksheet. The health care facility is responsible for submitting a signed hospital correction letter and hospital worksheet. This document must be signed by the individual who conducted the birth along with the other personnel involved in the birth. The filing of these forms is free of charge and can be filed anytime. For administrative purposes, all births that occurred prior to 1997 are filed with the Office of Vital Records, which is part of the Arizona Department of Health Services department. Births that occur after 1997 are filed with county records offices.
Submit an Affidavit to Correct along with evidentiary documents. If the birth occurred outside of a medical treatment facility, then you may submit a sworn affidavit to correct birth record information. The affidavit must be accompanied by documented evidence that supports the need to amend the recorded information. The affidavit must be notarized and signed while displaying the information contained on the birth certificate along with the desired changes. You may support the request to change birth information with documentation, such as doctors' office notes, hospital records, school records, military records, WIC program information or tribal records. The corrections will be made following the submitting of documents and the payment of the appropriate fees. As of 2010, you may submit the requests in person with valid identification or by mail to the appropriate agency.
