Form VS-170, Correcting a Birth Certificate (Spanish) – Texas

What is VS-170?

Who needs to file VS-170?

When to file VS-170

Documents you need

• A copy of current photo ID for the applicant in Section 1 and for every person who signs Section 6; applications without acceptable current ID are not processed.
• One supporting document from Table 2, for the correction type listed in Table 1. None is needed for a hospital error before age 1 or a first or middle name change before age 1.
• Table 2, items 1 to 4: hospital or birth medical record; letter from the hospital that identifies the error; baptismal record dated before age 5; SSA Numident printout.
• Table 2, items 5 to 9: certified court order (all pages with the judge's signature and court seal); first school record; federal census record; school census record; DD 214 discharge papers (photocopies accepted).
• Table 2, items 10 to 14: parents' birth certificate; older sibling's birth certificate; certified marriage license of the parents; parents' naturalization certificate; copy of a parent's passport with U.S. visa, permanent resident card or work authorization card.
• Documents must be certified originals, not photocopies, except the DD 214. Foreign documents, even notarized ones, need an apostille or legal certification from the issuing country.
• To add, delete or replace a parent: one of a certified marriage certificate, a copy of the Acknowledgment of Paternity (VS-159.1) on file with VSS, a certified paternity court decree, a copy of the Denial of Paternity (VS 158) on file with VSS, or a surrogacy agreement.
• An Acknowledgment of Paternity for an unmarried mother adding a father, or for a mother married within 300 days before the birth who adds a biological father who is not her spouse.
• A certified court order, when no acceptable supporting document is available or when the same part of the record was amended before.
• Proof of authority, if you apply as a legal guardian, custodian or legal representative.

How to fill out VS-170

1. 1

   Check that the form applies

   Confirm the record is not based on an adoption and that you are an eligible requester. Review Table 1 on page 2 to see which supporting document your correction needs.

2. 2

   Complete Section 1, applicant information

   Enter your name (first, middle, last), mailing address, email and daytime phone. Mark your relationship to the person named: parent, myself, hospital representative, legal guardian or custodian, or legal representative.

3. 3

   Complete Section 2, birth record details

   Enter the information exactly as it appears on the current birth certificate, before corrections: certificate number if known, child's name, date of birth, sex, place of birth, and the full names of parent 1 and parent 2 before marriage.

4. 4

   Complete Section 3, what to correct

   For each item, write what the record says now and what it should say. If you have a certified court order that only changes the name, enter the ordered name. Check the box at the bottom to request a new record for a sex correction or the removal of a parent's race or color.

5. 5

   Complete Section 4 for parent changes

   Only if you are adding, deleting or replacing a parent, mark Añadir, Borrar or Reemplazar. Enter the child's name for the new record and the details of parent 1 and, if two parents will appear, parent 2.

6. 6

   Complete Section 5, certified copies

   Mark whether you want a certified copy of the corrected certificate and, if yes, how many. Check the amount against the fee list on page 1.

7. 7

   Prepare Section 6 for signing

   Print the name of each signer and the address. Do not sign yet: each signer signs in front of a notary public, who completes the oath block and seal, and attaches a copy of current photo ID.

8. 8

   Fill in the fee list on page 1

   Choose the one correction fee that applies, add expedited processing, delivery and copy lines if you need them, and total the amount. Pay with a single check or money order payable to DSHS - Vital Statistics.

9. 9

   Review, download and print the PDF

   Check that nothing is altered or crossed out and that Sections 1, 2, 5 and 6 are complete. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF as an original for notarized signing, then assemble the package described under How to submit.

How to submit VS-170

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a photocopy of the application, or one with cross-outs, correction fluid or changes; the form says use a new form if you make a mistake.
• Signing Section 6 without a notary public, or leaving out a copy of current photo ID for each signer.
• Filing for a minor with only one parent's signature when both parents are named, unless Table 1 says otherwise.
• Sending a photocopy of a supporting document instead of a certified original; only the DD 214 may be a photocopy.
• Submitting a foreign document without an apostille or legal certification, even if it was notarized.
• Not checking the new-record box in Section 3 for a sex, race or color correction, so the change is attached as an addendum.
• Using the form for a record based on an adoption, which it cannot correct.
• Asking a hospital representative to file for changes it cannot request, such as adding, deleting or replacing a parent.
• Mailing an expedited request by regular mail or to the P.O. box instead of by next-day delivery to the MC 2096 street address.
• Writing in ink other than blue or black when filling by hand.