A: It usually takes 4-6 weeks for the State Office of Vital Records to process an amended record. It is especially IMPORTANT to be sure all information given to Hospital Staff at the time of birth is accurate due to the time involved to process the correction at the State level.
If you want to change a parent who was listed on the child's original birth certificate, that must be done through the court system. This is referred to as an “adjudication” – the court will decide (adjudicate) the existence or nonexistence of the parent and child relationship.
To change a parent listed, you must petition the Superior Court. For more information on this process, please call the CDPH-VR Customer Service Unit at (916) 445-2684 and request the pamphlet entitled “Adjudication of Facts of Parentage” (or you can download the pamphlet from the CDPH-VR website).
If he happens to be unavailable—or he does not want to be involved with the child or he does not want his name on the birth certificate, you can leave the birth father's name as UNKNOWN on the birth certificate.
If you want to change a parent who was listed on the child's original birth certificate, that must be done through the court system. This is referred to as an “adjudication” – the court will decide (adjudicate) the existence or nonexistence of the parent and child relationship.
Q: How long does it take to change a birth record by the State after it has been registered? A: It usually takes 4-6 weeks for the State Office of Vital Records to process an amended record.