Purpose

• This bill aims to protect the integrity of birth records by restricting changes to a person’s sex designation on original birth records. It tightens rules around amending vital records and creates limited circumstances under which a replacement birth record with a different sex designation may be issued.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on changing sex in replacement birth records (Subdivision 5a of 144.218)

  • The state registrar or a local registrar may not register a replacement birth record in which the sex indicated on the replacement differs from the sex shown in the person’s original birth record.
  • There is a narrow exception: a replacement birth record may be registered with a different sex if the sex indicated in the original birth record was recorded in error and the change is necessary to correct that error.

• Amendment and correction of vital records (amended 144.2181)

  • Vital records can be amended or corrected only in accordance with the relevant sections (144.212 to 144.227) and the rules adopted by the health commissioner to protect record integrity.
  • If a vital record is amended, the record must indicate that it has been amended, unless the rule provides otherwise.
  • Documentation requirements: electronic records must identify the evidence used to support the amendment or correction, the date of the amendment or correction, and the identity of the authorized person making the change.
  • Name changes: upon receiving a certified court order changing a name, the registrar must amend the birth record to show the new name. This can be done for adults (18+ or emancipated minors). For minors or incapacitated individuals, a parent, guardian, or legal representative may request the change.
  • Documentation and eligibility: if an applicant does not provide the minimum required documentation, or if the registrar questions the validity or completeness of the statements or evidence and deficiencies are not corrected, the registrar must not amend the record and must inform the applicant of the reason and their right to appeal to a court.
  • Sex designation amendments: the registrar or local registrar must not amend the sex indicated on a birth record unless the original sex designation was recorded in error and the amendment is necessary to correct that error.

What this changes in practice

• Strengthened safeguards for vital records: The bill codifies a strict rule against changing sex designation on a replacement birth record except to correct an error, and it requires explicit evidence and a formal process for any amendment.
• Clearer amendment process: It requires specific documentation, electronic tracking of evidence, and a formal right to appeal if an amendment is denied.
• Name-change handling: It clarifies how birth records should reflect legally changed names following a court order, with different rules for adults vs. minors or incapacitated persons.

Significant changes to existing law (high level)

• Adds Subd.5a to 144.218 to limit replacement birth records with a different sex designation, unless correcting an error.
• Renews and clarifies the process and safeguards for amending or correcting vital records under 144.2181, including documenting evidence, notifying applicants, and allowing appeals.
• Tightens controls around sex designation changes on birth records, tying them to error correction rather than routine amendments.

Potential implications

• For individuals seeking to change gender markers on birth certificates, the pathway is narrowed to the explicit error-correction exception.
• The emphasis on evidence, documentation, and appeals may lengthen or complicate some amendment requests.
• The named processes for name changes align birth records more closely with court-ordered legal name changes, with clear procedures for adults and for minors or incapacitated individuals.

Relevant Terms birth record, replacement birth record, sex indicated, original birth record, gender marker, sex designation, amendment, correction, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, electronic documentation, evidence, date, authorized person, name change, court order, emancipated minor, incapacitated person, minimum documentation, rules, integrity, accuracy, appeal.