{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/32.1-269.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/32.1-269.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/32.1-269.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/32.1-269.1.html"}],"law_id":59473,"edition_id":1,"section_id":59473,"structure_id":15588,"section_number":"32.1-269.1","catch_line":"Amending death certificates; change and correction of demographic information by affidavit or court order","history":"2016, c. 496; 2017, cc. 284, 285; 2022, cc. 116, 117.","full_text":"A\n\nNotwithstanding § 32.1-276, a death certificate registered under this chapter may be amended only in accordance with this section and such regulations as may be adopted by the Board to protect the integrity and accuracy of such death certificate. Such regulations shall specify the minimum evidence required for a change in any such death certificate.B\n\nA death certificate that is amended under this section shall be marked “amended,” and the date of amendment and a summary description of the evidence submitted in support of the amendment shall be endorsed on or made a part of the death certificate. The Board shall prescribe by regulation the conditions under which omissions or errors on death certificates may be corrected.C\n\nThe State Registrar, upon receipt of an affidavit and supporting evidence testifying to corrected information on a death certificate within 45 days of the filing of a death certificate, shall amend such death certificate to reflect the new information and evidence.D\n\nThe State Registrar, upon receipt of an affidavit and supporting evidence testifying to corrected information on a death certificate more than 45 days after the filing of a death certificate, including the correct spelling of the name of the deceased, the deceased’s parent or spouse, or the informant; the sex, age, race, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, social security number, education, occupation or kind or type of business, military status, or date of death of the deceased; the place of residence of the deceased, if located within the Commonwealth; the name of the institution; the county, city, or town where the death occurred; or the street or place where the death occurred, shall amend such death certificate to reflect the new information and evidence.E\n\nFor death certificate amendments received more than 45 days after the filing of a death certificate, other than the correction of information by the State Registrar pursuant to subsection D, the surviving spouse or immediate family, as defined by the regulations of the Board, of the deceased; attending funeral service licensee; or other reporting source may file a petition with the circuit court of the county or city in which the decedent resided as of the date of his death, or the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, requesting an order to amend a death certificate, along with an affidavit sworn to under oath that supports such request. A copy of the petition shall be served upon (i) the State Registrar pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 8.01-285 et seq.) of Title 8.01 and (ii) any person listed as an informant on the death certificate, unless such person provides an affidavit in support of such petition. The clerk shall submit such petition and any evidence received with the petition to the judge for entry of an order without the necessity of a hearing, unless the judge decides a hearing is necessary. The clerk shall transmit a certified copy of the court’s order to the State Registrar, who shall amend such death certificate in accordance with the order. The matters for which a petition may be filed include changing the name of the deceased, the deceased’s parent or spouse, or the informant; the marital status of the deceased; or the place of residence of the deceased, when the place of residence is outside the Commonwealth.F\n\nWhen an applicant, as defined by the regulations of the Board, does not submit the minimum documentation required by regulation to amend a death certificate or when the State Registrar finds reason to question the validity or sufficiency of the evidence, the death certificate shall not be amended and the State Registrar shall so advise the applicant. An aggrieved applicant may petition the circuit court of the county or city in which he resides, or the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, for an order compelling the State Registrar to amend the death certificate; an aggrieved applicant who is currently residing out of state may petition any circuit court in the Commonwealth for such an order. A copy of the petition shall be served upon (i) the State Registrar pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 8.01-285 et seq.) of Title 8.01 and (ii) any person listed as an informant on the death certificate, unless such person provides an affidavit in support of such petition. The clerk shall submit such petition and any evidence received with the petition to the judge for entry of an order without the necessity of a hearing, unless the judge decides a hearing is necessary. The State Registrar or his authorized representative may appear and testify in such proceeding. The clerk shall transmit a certified copy of the court’s order to the State Registrar, who shall amend such death certificate in accordance with the order.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":217936,"text":"Notwithstanding § 32.1-276, a death certificate registered under this chapter may be amended only in accordance with this section and such regulations as may be adopted by the Board to protect the integrity and accuracy of such death certificate. Such regulations shall specify the minimum evidence required for a change in any such death certificate.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":217937,"text":"A death certificate that is amended under this section shall be marked “amended,” and the date of amendment and a summary description of the evidence submitted in support of the amendment shall be endorsed on or made a part of the death certificate. The Board shall prescribe by regulation the conditions under which omissions or errors on death certificates may be corrected.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":217938,"text":"The State Registrar, upon receipt of an affidavit and supporting evidence testifying to corrected information on a death certificate within 45 days of the filing of a death certificate, shall amend such death certificate to reflect the new information and evidence.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":217939,"text":"The State Registrar, upon receipt of an affidavit and supporting evidence testifying to corrected information on a death certificate more than 45 days after the filing of a death certificate, including the correct spelling of the name of the deceased, the deceased’s parent or spouse, or the informant; the sex, age, race, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, social security number, education, occupation or kind or type of business, military status, or date of death of the deceased; the place of residence of the deceased, if located within the Commonwealth; the name of the institution; the county, city, or town where the death occurred; or the street or place where the death occurred, shall amend such death certificate to reflect the new information and evidence.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":217940,"text":"For death certificate amendments received more than 45 days after the filing of a death certificate, other than the correction of information by the State Registrar pursuant to subsection D, the surviving spouse or immediate family, as defined by the regulations of the Board, of the deceased; attending funeral service licensee; or other reporting source may file a petition with the circuit court of the county or city in which the decedent resided as of the date of his death, or the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, requesting an order to amend a death certificate, along with an affidavit sworn to under oath that supports such request. A copy of the petition shall be served upon (i) the State Registrar pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 8.01-285 et seq.) of Title 8.01 and (ii) any person listed as an informant on the death certificate, unless such person provides an affidavit in support of such petition. The clerk shall submit such petition and any evidence received with the petition to the judge for entry of an order without the necessity of a hearing, unless the judge decides a hearing is necessary. The clerk shall transmit a certified copy of the court’s order to the State Registrar, who shall amend such death certificate in accordance with the order. The matters for which a petition may be filed include changing the name of the deceased, the deceased’s parent or spouse, or the informant; the marital status of the deceased; or the place of residence of the deceased, when the place of residence is outside the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":217941,"text":"When an applicant, as defined by the regulations of the Board, does not submit the minimum documentation required by regulation to amend a death certificate or when the State Registrar finds reason to question the validity or sufficiency of the evidence, the death certificate shall not be amended and the State Registrar shall so advise the applicant. An aggrieved applicant may petition the circuit court of the county or city in which he resides, or the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, for an order compelling the State Registrar to amend the death certificate; an aggrieved applicant who is currently residing out of state may petition any circuit court in the Commonwealth for such an order. A copy of the petition shall be served upon (i) the State Registrar pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 8.01-285 et seq.) of Title 8.01 and (ii) any person listed as an informant on the death certificate, unless such person provides an affidavit in support of such petition. The clerk shall submit such petition and any evidence received with the petition to the judge for entry of an order without the necessity of a hearing, unless the judge decides a hearing is necessary. The State Registrar or his authorized representative may appear and testify in such proceeding. The clerk shall transmit a certified copy of the court’s order to the State Registrar, who shall amend such death certificate in accordance with the order.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15588,"edition_id":1,"name":"Amendments to Vital Records","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14405,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:56:35","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:56:35","permalink":{"id":204271,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15588,"identifier":"6","token":"32.1\/7\/6","url":"\/32.1\/7\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14405,"edition_id":1,"name":"Vital Records","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12727,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:01","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:01","permalink":{"id":204163,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14405,"identifier":"7","token":"32.1\/7","url":"\/32.1\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12727,"edition_id":1,"name":"Health","identifier":"32.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":201099,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12727,"identifier":"32.1","token":"32.1","url":"\/32.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":69190,"structure_id":15588,"section_number":"32.1-269","catch_line":"Amending vital records; change of name; acknowledgment of paternity","url":"\/32.1-269\/","token":"32.1\/7\/6\/32.1-269","metadata":false},{"id":59473,"structure_id":15588,"section_number":"32.1-269.1","catch_line":"Amending death certificates; change and correction of demographic information by affidavit or court order","url":"\/32.1-269.1\/","token":"32.1\/7\/6\/32.1-269.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":69190,"structure_id":15588,"section_number":"32.1-269","catch_line":"Amending vital records; change of name; acknowledgment of paternity","url":"\/32.1-269\/","token":"32.1\/7\/6\/32.1-269","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/32.1-269.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2016. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 496<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2017, chapters 284<\/a> and 285<\/a>; in 2022, chapters 116<\/a> and 117<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":68116,"section_number":"32.1-276","catch_line":"Penalty imposed for violations","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-276\/"},{"id":65534,"section_number":"8.01-285","catch_line":"Definition of certain terms used in this chapter; process, return, statutory agent","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-285\/"}],"permalink":{"id":204277,"object_type":"law","relational_id":59473,"identifier":"32.1-269.1","token":"32.1\/7\/6\/32.1-269.1","url":"\/32.1-269.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/32.1-269.1\/","token":"32.1\/7\/6\/32.1-269.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Amending death certificates; change and correction of demographic information by affidavit or court order","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 32.1-269.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Notwithstanding § 32.1-276<\/a>, a death certificate registered under this chapter may be amended only in accordance with this section and such regulations as may be adopted by the Board<\/span> to protect the integrity and accuracy of such death certificate. Such regulations shall specify the minimum evidence<\/span> required for a change in any such death certificate. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A death certificate that is amended under this section shall be marked “amended,” and the date of amendment and a summary description of the evidence<\/span> submitted in support of the amendment shall be endorsed on or made a part of the death certificate. The Board<\/span> shall prescribe by regulation the conditions under which omissions or errors on death certificates may be corrected. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The State Registrar, upon receipt of an affidavit<\/span> and supporting evidence<\/span> testifying to corrected information on a death certificate within 45 days of the filing of a death certificate, shall amend<\/span> such death certificate to reflect the new information and evidence<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The State Registrar, upon receipt of an affidavit<\/span> and supporting evidence<\/span> testifying to corrected information on a death certificate more than 45 days after the filing of a death certificate, including the correct spelling of the name of the deceased, the deceased’s parent or spouse, or the informant; the sex, age, race, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, social security number, education, occupation or kind or type of business, military status, or date of death of the deceased; the place of residence of the deceased, if located within the Commonwealth; the name of the institution<\/span>; the county, city, or town where the death occurred; or the street or place where the death occurred, shall amend<\/span> such death certificate to reflect the new information and evidence<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> For death certificate amendments received more than 45 days after the filing of a death certificate, other than the correction of information by the State Registrar pursuant to subsection D, the surviving spouse or immediate family, as defined by the regulations of the Board<\/span>, of the deceased; attending funeral service licensee; or other reporting source may file<\/span> a petition<\/span> with the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> of the county or city in which the decedent resided as of the date of his death, or the Circuit<\/span> Court<\/span> of the City of Richmond, requesting an order<\/span> to amend<\/span> a death certificate, along with an affidavit<\/span> sworn to under oath<\/span> that supports such request. A copy of the petition<\/span> shall be served upon (i) the State Registrar pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 8.01-285<\/a> et seq.) of Title 8.01 and (ii) any person<\/span> listed as an informant on the death certificate, unless such person<\/span> provides an affidavit<\/span> in support of such petition<\/span>. The clerk shall submit such petition<\/span> and any evidence<\/span> received with the petition<\/span> to the judge<\/span> for entry of an order<\/span> without the necessity of a hearing<\/span>, unless the judge<\/span> decides a hearing<\/span> is necessary. The clerk shall transmit a certified copy of the court<\/span>’s order<\/span> to the State Registrar, who shall amend<\/span> such death certificate in accordance with the order<\/span>. The matters for which a petition<\/span> may be filed include changing the name of the deceased, the deceased’s parent or spouse, or the informant; the marital status of the deceased; or the place of residence of the deceased, when the place of residence is outside the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> When an applicant, as defined by the regulations of the Board<\/span>, does not submit the minimum documentation required by regulation to amend<\/span> a death certificate or when the State Registrar finds reason to question the validity or sufficiency of the evidence<\/span>, the death certificate shall not be amended and the State Registrar shall so advise the applicant. An aggrieved applicant may petition<\/span> the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> of the county or city in which he resides, or the Circuit<\/span> Court<\/span> of the City of Richmond, for an order<\/span> compelling the State Registrar to amend<\/span> the death certificate; an aggrieved applicant who is currently residing out of state may petition<\/span> any circuit<\/span> court<\/span> in the Commonwealth for such an order<\/span>. A copy of the petition<\/span> shall be served upon (i) the State Registrar pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 8.01-285<\/a> et seq.) of Title 8.01 and (ii) any person<\/span> listed as an informant on the death certificate, unless such person<\/span> provides an affidavit<\/span> in support of such petition<\/span>. The clerk shall submit such petition<\/span> and any evidence<\/span> received with the petition<\/span> to the judge<\/span> for entry of an order<\/span> without the necessity of a hearing<\/span>, unless the judge<\/span> decides a hearing<\/span> is necessary. The State Registrar or his authorized representative may appear and testify in such proceeding. The clerk shall transmit a certified copy of the court<\/span>’s order<\/span> to the State Registrar, who shall amend<\/span> such death certificate in accordance with the order<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAMENDING DEATH CERTIFICATES; CHANGE AND CORRECTION OF DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION BY\nAFFIDAVIT OR COURT ORDER (\u00a7 32.1-269.1)\n\nA. Notwithstanding § 32.1-276, a death certificate registered under this\nchapter may be amended only in accordance with this section and such regulations\nas may be adopted by the Board to protect the integrity and accuracy of such\ndeath certificate. Such regulations shall specify the minimum evidence required\nfor a change in any such death certificate.\n\nB. A death certificate that is amended under this section shall be marked\n“amended,” and the date of amendment and a summary description of\nthe evidence submitted in support of the amendment shall be endorsed on or made\na part of the death certificate. The Board shall prescribe by regulation the\nconditions under which omissions or errors on death certificates may be\ncorrected.\n\nC. The State Registrar, upon receipt of an affidavit and supporting evidence\ntestifying to corrected information on a death certificate within 45 days of the\nfiling of a death certificate, shall amend such death certificate to reflect the\nnew information and evidence.\n\nD. The State Registrar, upon receipt of an affidavit and supporting evidence\ntestifying to corrected information on a death certificate more than 45 days\nafter the filing of a death certificate, including the correct spelling of the\nname of the deceased, the deceased’s parent or spouse, or the informant;\nthe sex, age, race, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, social security\nnumber, education, occupation or kind or type of business, military status, or\ndate of death of the deceased; the place of residence of the deceased, if\nlocated within the Commonwealth; the name of the institution; the county, city,\nor town where the death occurred; or the street or place where the death\noccurred, shall amend such death certificate to reflect the new information and\nevidence.\n\nE. For death certificate amendments received more than 45 days after the filing\nof a death certificate, other than the correction of information by the State\nRegistrar pursuant to subsection D, the surviving spouse or immediate family, as\ndefined by the regulations of the Board, of the deceased; attending funeral\nservice licensee; or other reporting source may file a petition with the circuit\ncourt of the county or city in which the decedent resided as of the date of his\ndeath, or the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, requesting an order to\namend a death certificate, along with an affidavit sworn to under oath that\nsupports such request. A copy of the petition shall be served upon (i) the State\nRegistrar pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 8.01-285 et seq.) of Title 8.01 and (ii)\nany person listed as an informant on the death certificate, unless such person\nprovides an affidavit in support of such petition. The clerk shall submit such\npetition and any evidence received with the petition to the judge for entry of\nan order without the necessity of a hearing, unless the judge decides a hearing\nis necessary. The clerk shall transmit a certified copy of the court’s\norder to the State Registrar, who shall amend such death certificate in\naccordance with the order. The matters for which a petition may be filed include\nchanging the name of the deceased, the deceased’s parent or spouse, or the\ninformant; the marital status of the deceased; or the place of residence of the\ndeceased, when the place of residence is outside the Commonwealth.\n\nF. When an applicant, as defined by the regulations of the Board, does not\nsubmit the minimum documentation required by regulation to amend a death\ncertificate or when the State Registrar finds reason to question the validity or\nsufficiency of the evidence, the death certificate shall not be amended and the\nState Registrar shall so advise the applicant. An aggrieved applicant may\npetition the circuit court of the county or city in which he resides, or the\nCircuit Court of the City of Richmond, for an order compelling the State\nRegistrar to amend the death certificate; an aggrieved applicant who is\ncurrently residing out of state may petition any circuit court in the\nCommonwealth for such an order. A copy of the petition shall be served upon (i)\nthe State Registrar pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 8.01-285 et seq.) of Title\n8.01 and (ii) any person listed as an informant on the death certificate, unless\nsuch person provides an affidavit in support of such petition. The clerk shall\nsubmit such petition and any evidence received with the petition to the judge\nfor entry of an order without the necessity of a hearing, unless the judge\ndecides a hearing is necessary. The State Registrar or his authorized\nrepresentative may appear and testify in such proceeding. The clerk shall\ntransmit a certified copy of the court’s order to the State Registrar, who\nshall amend such death certificate in accordance with the order.\n\nHISTORY: 2016, c. 496; 2017, cc. 284, 285; 2022, cc. 116, 117.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}