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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 102Pt. 1Ch. 11Art. 5§ 103355 Birth Certificate Race Correction

§ 103355 Birth Certificate Race Correction

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 103355 Birth Certificate Race Correction

This law lets people who were born and had their birth recorded in this state ask the State Registrar for a new birth certificate and have the old one sealed if they think the race or color words on it are offensive.

Key Takeaways

  • •You must have been born in the state and have your birth registered there.
  • •You can ask the State Registrar for a new birth certificate if you think the race or color words are slurs.
  • •You must name the offensive word(s) and tell what you want them changed to; the Registrar must follow your judgment.

Example

Maria was born here and her original birth certificate says her race is "Negro," which she finds offensive.

Maria can fill out an application telling the Registrar which word she wants removed and what she wants it changed to (for example, "Black"). The Registrar will give her request respect, issue a new certificate with the new wording, and seal the old one.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 103355 Birth Certificate Race Correction

Any person who was born in this state and whose birth is registered in this state may apply to the State Registrar for the establishment and issuance of a new birth certificate and the sealing of the original if the person certifies that the entry or entries in the original birth certificate regarding race or color contain a term or terms that in the opinion of the registrant, constitute racial slurs or are otherwise offensive. The application shall identify the offensive terms to be deleted and indicate the proper entries for race or color to be substituted. The determination as to whether the entries to be deleted are offensive shall be left to the judgment of the applicant and the State Registrar shall give deference to that determination. (Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1996.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

new birth certificatesealing of the originaloffensive termsrace or colorState Registrar

Related Statutes

  • § 103360 Birth Certificate Amendment
  • § 103365 Birth Certificate Amendments
  • § 103375 Birth Certificate Updates
  • § 103260 Birth Certificate Racial Descriptor Change
  • § 103350 Birth Certificate Race Correction

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 103355.
View Official Source