[MA] How do I correct a misspelling on my birth certificate?
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Thank you for that. If vital records will not accept it as a correction, the name change is required. For that, you would first have to file the petition for name change with the court. You don’t have to file in MA, if you are no longer in the state, as you can do a name change anywhere and have it be valid to correct your name.
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Hi, I filed a petition because there is a misspelling on my birth certificate.
I understand the issue with the misspelling on your birth certificate. Have you already submitted a petition to correct the spelling?
Yes, I just did it here.
Are you looking for guidance on the next steps to take in order to correct the misspelling on your birth certificate?
Yes.
Is there anything else the Family Lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they’ll be able to help with your birth certificate correction.
No, just that.
Hi there! My name is Liz and I’ve been an attorney for more than a decade, and I am here to assist with your legal concerns.
So I can best help, what concerns do you have with the correction to your certificate?
My birth certificate is misspelled.
I understand, and you’ve filed the form for the correction or you’re seeking to file it?
Yes, I just filed here.
Did you take the document to vital records in the state where you were born?
I did receive my birth certificate about 3 weeks ago but the misspelling is still there because they say I need a legal name change so they can fix it.
In what state were you born?
Massachusetts.
Thank you for that. If vital records will not accept it as a correction, the name change is required. For that, you would first have to file the petition for name change with the court. You don’t have to file in MA, if you are no longer in the state, as you can do a name change anywhere and have it be valid to correct your name.
Ok, I understand that, but lawyers here don’t want to help me with that because I was born in Massachusetts.
So I came to this link to see if there’s another way. I really need help with this so I can get my Real ID and passport.
Where are you currently?
I live in Puerto Rico.
Ah, because you’re in PR, the law can be a little different for the name change. Can I ask, are your parents still living?
No
In that case, it would require the name change. For a name change, the process in PR would be similar to in MA. You will have to file a petition with the court, explaining that you are seeking to change the name on your birth certificate to your actual name. The other option would be to attempt to escalate with MA vital records. For that, you would need proof of your parents’ intent to name you what they did.
Ok, so I did the petition here. I downloaded the petition. Do I have to take this to the court?
Yes, and you would file it with the clerk of the court which begins the process.
Oh, ok.
But what do I do if the court keeps telling me that they cannot do anything because I was born in MA?
The petition would have to be for a name change now. It’s not to correct the vital record — that could only be done through a MA court.
Ok, so I’m going to file it here in PR and see what happens.
Understood, is there anything else I can assist with?
No, thank you.
You’re very welcome. Have a wonderful day!
Same to you.
