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Archiver > SOCAL > 1997-11 > 0879276514


From: "P. B. Bonner" <>
Subject: Re: Can we change information in records?
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 11:28:34 -0800


In response to Connie Putnam's question.

There are occasions when the records can be amended. The actual record is
not changed but a notation is inserted in the record and an amended copy
becomes available. I do not know if this is true in every state but it can
be done in California.

Case in point. My birth certificate had nine ( 9 ) errors, including my
name and the actual date of birth. Most of the information was the result
of miscommunication between the mother and the hospital staff. Some was
language and some were lies to protect her reputation. The date of
birth was apparently a typo. The incorrect birth certificate had created
numerous problems for me e.g. military, insurance, licensing etc. When I
was in my thirties I completed a form to correct the information. It was
accompanied by a notarized statement by my father's verifying the old
information was incorrect and the new information on the form was correct.
I filed it in the County of birth and about six months later I received the
following. A copy of the original birth certificate, a copy of an amended
copy of the B C. and a statement by the Vital Records people stating the
information had been entered into the record. The letter also explained
they had investigated the "date of Birth" error and verified it had been
entered incorrectly on the B C.

I don't know if Connie's friend has enough verifiable documentation to
prove the error in the records but she should obtain as much as possible
and give it a try.

One thing to remember, the clerks or whomever entered the information make
mistakes like we all do. The problem will rest on whether the current
people want to be bothered with making the correction. You must convince
them the change is necessary and apply pressure to make sure they do it.

Good Luck

PB
> From:
> To: ;
> Subject: Can we change information in records?
> Date: Tuesday, 11 November, 1997 7:32 AM
>
> Hi. A friend of my was upset to find that her grandfathers name was
wrong
> in some of the official records that she located and wants to know how to
(or
> if) its possible to have the records changed. Has anyone tried to and
> succeeded in doing this before? And since she is not working with
> California officials, is there a general answer ? Thanks
>
> Connie Putnam Falls Church VA

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