vital records

Assembly Bill (AB) 218

Effective January 1, 2023, in addition to existing California laws, AB 218 allows a person to obtain an amendment to the following vital records, to reflect the person's change of gender and sex identifier to female, male, or nonbinary:

marriage license and certificate,
confidential marriage license and certificate,
birth certificate for their minor or adult child

This process does not require a court order if the person submits specific supporting documentation.

For more detailed information on this process, please see the following pamphlets and forms:

Forms:

Frequently Asked Questions on AB 218

1. When does AB 218 take effect?

AB 218 will take effect on January 1, 2023.

2. What records does AB 218 apply to?

AB 218 applies to birth and marriage records (public or confidential) that occurred in California.

3. What is the fee to amend a record per AB 218?

The fee to process the amendment is $26. Additional copies of a birth record are $29 each and a public marriage record is $17 each.

NOTE: The State Registrar does not amend confidential marriage license and certificates. Confidential marriage license and certificates can only be amended at the County Clerk’s office in the county where the license was issued. Fees may vary per county.

4. Who can submit a request to amend a record and what signatures are required on the application?

For birth amendments, only the parent who is changing the designation to mother, father, or parent can submit and sign the application to amend their child’s birth certificate.

For marriage amendments, only the spouse who is changing their designation to bride, groom, or having neither box checked can submit and sign the application to amend their marriage license and certificate.

NOTE: Only one signature is required for birth and/or marriage amendment requests.

5. What is the difference between a minor and adult child?

A minor child is under 18 years of age. An adult child is 18 years or older.

6. If I get a court ordered name change, will my new name be reflected on my new marriage license and certificate?

Yes, it will be reflected on the new marriage license and certificate. However, the “New Names” section will be left blank.

7. Are foreign court orders accepted?

Yes, foreign court orders are accepted and must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

8. I have a confidential marriage certificate. Where do I obtain a new marriage license and certificate to reflect my change of gender and sex identifier?

The County Clerk’s office in the county where the confidential marriage license was issued.

9. I received a Certificate of No Public Record (CNPR) from CDPH-VR and/or the County Clerk’s Office when I requested a copy of my marriage certificate. How can I amend my marriage certificate?

CDPH-VR cannot amend a marriage record that was never registered or is not on file with the State Registrar. If more than one year has passed since the date of marriage and you are still married and living in California, you may be eligible to purchase a License and Certificate of Declaration of Marriage from the County Clerk where you currently reside. Alternatively, you may apply for a Court Order Delayed Registration of Marriage after you have obtained a court order establishing the facts of the marriage.

For more information regarding Court Delayed Registration of Marriage, please visit the Delayed or Court Order Delayed web page.

10. If I want to amend my marriage certificate and child’s birth certificate at the same time, what application(s) and fee(s) should I submit?

You can submit the VS 24 Birth and VS 24C Marriage at the same time. The fee to register an amendment is $26 each. The total to amend both records is $52, which includes one newly amended copy of a birth and marriage record.

Assembly-Bill-(AB)-218

vital records

Assembly Bill (AB) 218

1. When does AB 218 take effect?

2. What records does AB 218 apply to?

3. What is the fee to amend a record per AB 218?

4. Who can submit a request to amend a record and what signatures are required on the application?

5. What is the difference between a minor and adult child?

6. If I get a court ordered name change, will my new name be reflected on my new marriage license and certificate?

7. Are foreign court orders accepted?

8. I have a confidential marriage certificate. Where do I obtain a new marriage license and certificate to reflect my change of gender and sex identifier?

9. I received a Certificate of No Public Record (CNPR) from CDPH-VR and/or the County Clerk’s Office when I requested a copy of my marriage certificate. How can I amend my marriage certificate?

10. If I want to amend my marriage certificate and child’s birth certificate at the same time, what application(s) and fee(s) should I submit?

11. Once the amendment is registered, what happens to the birth and/or marriage certificate?

12. Can I submit an application to amend a record online?

13. What if I have more questions?

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​Assembly Bill (AB) 218

Assembly Bill (AB) 218