The proposed bill would amend current statutes regarding the amendment of birth certificates in Arizona. Under the new law, the State Registrar would be limited to amending birth certificates only for specific reasons, such as adoption or court orders, thereby enhancing the integrity and accuracy of vital records. Notably, the bill prohibits changes to a person's sex designation on their original birth certificate as a result of sex change surgery, which is a significant departure from current law that allows such amendments with appropriate documentation. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement for the State Registrar to seal evidentiary documents when amending a birth certificate and specifies that a court order for amendment is limited to changing a person's name.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a provision that allows for the correction of factually inaccurate information on a birth certificate if sufficient evidence is provided, while ensuring that such corrections do not appear on the face of the certificate. It also prohibits commissioners from issuing orders to amend a birth certificate, thereby centralizing this authority with the State Registrar. Overall, these changes aim to tighten the regulations surrounding birth certificate amendments and maintain the original records' integrity.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-337
House Engrossed Version: 36-337
Senate Engrossed Version: 36-337