4 legal name changes and birth certificate

[lottanames]

What is the name of your state?WA
I was born in CA to my single mother. Birth name "AMB". Mom married and then he adopted me when I was 5. At that time my name was legally changed to "NMR". This was in the state of CT. They divorced when I was 10. Mom married biological father (whom I had never previously met) and my name was legally changed to "AMRG" when I was 13. This was in the state of WA. Discovered at age of 20 that I was never actually adopted by my step-dad at age 5 (but the name change was legal). I legally changed my name in the state of WA as an adult to "AJB". Married in WA and legally assumed my husband's last name at age 24. This resulted in a 5th and final name, "AJP".

I have posession of no birth records and have attempted to order through the county and state of birth vital records. Each search was for birth name of which apparently does not exist. Now I have just discovered my records were sealed at some point. Would this be due to multiple name changes in multiple states? Are birth records updated when name is legally changed? Would they then be accessible from Dept of Vital Records in each state? The hospital in which I was born no longer exists. I have registered the more recent 3 name changes with Social Security and WA state DOL, so at least that much is on record. What's the deal?

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by lottanames

What is the name of your state?WA
I was born in CA to my single mother. Birth name "AMB". Mom married and then he adopted me when I was 5. At that time my name was legally changed to "NMR". This was in the state of CT. They divorced when I was 10. Mom married biological father (whom I had never previously met) and my name was legally changed to "AMRG" when I was 13. This was in the state of WA. Discovered at age of 20 that I was never actually adopted by my step-dad at age 5 (but the name change was legal). I legally changed my name in the state of WA as an adult to "AJB". Married in WA and legally assumed my husband's last name at age 24. This resulted in a 5th and final name, "AJP".

I have posession of no birth records and have attempted to order through the county and state of birth vital records. Each search was for birth name of which apparently does not exist. Now I have just discovered my records were sealed at some point. Would this be due to multiple name changes in multiple states? Are birth records updated when name is legally changed? Would they then be accessible from Dept of Vital Records in each state? The hospital in which I was born no longer exists. I have registered the more recent 3 name changes with Social Security and WA state DOL, so at least that much is on record. What's the deal?

You probably need to try to obtain a BC under NMR or AMRG. At least one of those name changes may have resulted in a change in your birth certificate, hence the reason why the records no longer exist under your birth name.

[rmet4nzkx]

Probably?
OP was born in California, that is the only state that has a birth certificate and and or amended birth certificate. Your original Social Security card and number would be based on that, in your case AMB. If the original number issued at birth is the one you had changed to your current name you are on the right path. Do you have a drivers license or passport, what was used for proof of birth? Do you have access to other forms of identification?

The subsequent name changes and adoptions would be an amendment to the original certificate, so if the certificate for AMB is sealed you should be able to obtain a legal copy of the amended birth certificate/s, if they were filed in California and you are getting an accurate account of all these name changes from your mother. If the adoption did not actually take place, then it is unlikely the name change is legal either although it may have been recognized in good faith. There is something fishy. Do you actually have a copy of your original California birth certificate, your mother should have had that as well as any subsequent changes? This is housed in the county where you were born, not the hospital. While hospitals may offer a certificate of birth and process the official birth certificate, they do not house the official birth certificate. In this day and age of identity theft and security issues, frequent name changes raises a red flag.

You will have to go to the courts in California to get this resolved, please go to the county of your birth website and the same county probate court to straighten this out. You should get an attorney to assist in this because of the complexity of the situation unless you find the amended birth certificate.
[url]http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/trial/courtlist.htm[/url]

You should be able to find a record of your birth under your original name by looking under your mother's maiden name
[url]http://www.vitalsearch-ca.com/gen/ca/_vitals/cabirthm.htm[/url]

[lottanames]

LdiJ-senior member
Thanks sooooooo much, you have aided me with the tools to begin figuring this out! Went to the second link you provided. [url]www.vitalsearchlink.....I[/url] started with my most recent name backward and ahah! Found ME, my birth name - as originally issued, AMB - on the list. Same exact everything! So now I'm wondering if in fact my records are sealed, would it be posted on that screen for me to see it? It seems they are likely NOT sealed, due to the fact my name is listed. I don't want to pay for ordering my birth certificate again only the have response indicating such. How would I find that out? You've been a great help. Thanks a million.

[lottanames]

Also, to answer your questions: I was issued my SSN at age 10 which was my second legal name (NMR). Subsequently my name changes were registered and I have had the same SSN with each name. Each of the 4 name changes were legal court orders, but like I said, in different states. I have 2 passports, one with name AMB, and one with NMR. They are childhood photos. This whole inquiry began when WA state refused to issue me a new passport because my name doesn't match. My first driver's license was issued under name, AMRG and after each subsequent name change was updated legally. The issue is; even if I can get my birth certificate there are 4 name changes, totaling 5 names which must be linked together to provide proof that AJP really is AMB. What I really want is to get a PASSPORT. No, not to leave the country because the feds are catching on to this!

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by lottanames

Also, to answer your questions: I was issued my SSN at age 10 which was my second legal name (NMR). Subsequently my name changes were registered and I have had the same SSN with each name. Each of the 4 name changes were legal court orders, but like I said, in different states. I have 2 passports, one with name AMB, and one with NMR. They are childhood photos. This whole inquiry began when WA state refused to issue me a new passport because my name doesn't match. My first driver's license was issued under name, AMRG and after each subsequent name change was updated legally. The issue is; even if I can get my birth certificate there are 4 name changes, totaling 5 names which must be linked together to provide proof that AJP really is AMB. What I really want is to get a PASSPORT. No, not to leave the country because the feds are catching on to this!

The key to getting a new passport issued is to provide a clear trail of the name changes from the last passport issued....or a clear trail from the the "offical" birth certficate to your current name. If the last childhood passport listed your social security number...then the trail needs to be from that passport.

Believe it or not this is a worldwide problem. Many other countries have solved that problem by simply refusing to change the name that a person recieves at birth...no matter WHAT happens...adoption, marriage..etc.

Italy is an example. In Italy once your name is registered...its your name FOREVER. It certainly simplifies situations like your's.