CORRECTION OF VIRGINIA BIRTH CERTIFICATE A petition to correct a Virginia Birth Certificate can only be filed in the Circuit Court if the request to correct was denied by the Virginia Office of Vital Records. If you have not done so, please first contact Virginia Vital Records at 804-662-6200.
If the mother of a child is not married to the natural father of the child at the time of birth or was not married to the natural father at any time during the 10 months next preceding such birth, the name of the father shall not be entered on the certificate of birth without a sworn acknowledgment of paternity, ...
When a father is not listed on a birth certificate, it brings both legal and social implications. The absence of the father's name can significantly affect the child's rights, including inheritance, access to family medical history, and social security benefits, as well as the child's emotional well-being.
The Acknowledgement of Paternity Form ( VS22 ) is available at the health department. Both parents must complete and sign form in the presence of a notary public. The form is then mailed to the Division of Vital Records in Richmond, Virginia.
The Secretary of State will not alter a date of birth unless there is credible evidence that the one recorded on a Home Office document is incorrect. Officials must weigh up all the evidence an individual provides before agreeing to amend a date of birth.
VA allows an individual to amend their VA issued birth certificate to reflect both a new name and gender. You may change your name on your VA birth certificate upon receipt of a court order changing your name.
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.
Our processing times for complete paper applications through the mail are four weeks from the time they are received in the Office of Vital Records. Our online application processing times are two weeks from the time they are completed and submitted.