RCW 70.58A.500: Amendment of vital records—When authorized—Grounds for denial.

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6081-S.SL ) ***

(1) The state registrar may amend certification items on state vital records. (2) The state registrar may amend a live birth record to change the name of a person born in state: (a) Upon receipt of a complete and signed amendment application with applicable fees and a certified copy of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, including the name of the person as it appears on the current live birth record and the new name to be designated on the amended live birth record, under RCW 4.24.130 ; or (b) As authorized under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 3521, the federal witness relocation and protection act. (3) The state registrar shall seal the original live birth record amended under subsection (2)(b) of this section. The sealed record is not subject to public inspection and copying under chapter 42.56 RCW except upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction. (4) The state registrar may amend a vital record to change the sex designation of the subject of the record. The state registrar shall include a nonbinary option for sex designation on the record. (5) The state registrar may amend vital records for purposes other than those established in this section. (6) The state registrar may deny an application to amend a vital record when: (a) The application is not completed or filed in accordance with this chapter; (b) The state registrar has cause to question the validity or adequacy of the applicant's statements or documentary evidence; or (c) The deficiencies under (a) or (b) of this subsection are not addressed to the satisfaction of the state registrar. (7) The state registrar shall provide notice of the denial of an application to amend a vital record and state the reasons for the denial. If the state registrar denies an amendment to a vital record under the provisions of this section, a person may appeal the decision under RCW 70.58A.550 .