Can You Legally Change Your Age or Birthday?

If the date of birth on your birth certificate is incorrect, you may be able to legally change your birth date. However, you may not be able to change your age or birth date without evidence that your birth certificate date is wrong. Using a different age or birth date may not be a big deal. However, if you claim a different age for a legal purpose or with a government agency, it may cause problems and could be considered a crime. If you were charged with a crime for lying about your age, talk to your local criminal defense attorney for advice.

Can I Use a Different Age Informally?

Is it possible to tell someone that you are younger than your actual age? In general, unofficially telling someone a different age or birth date will not be a big deal. This may include telling people you meet that you are a few years younger than your actual age. Using a different age on social media or on a dating app are other common reasons someone would informally use a different age.

Is It Possible To Claim You Are Older Than You Are?

Most people of a certain age would prefer to claim they are younger than their actual age. Claiming you are older is generally left to people who are under the age of 21 trying to buy alcohol or get into a bar. Depending on your state, it can be against the law to misrepresent your age for the purpose of obtaining alcohol. The same is true if you are attempting to claim a government benefit by misrepresenting your age.

How Do I Correct a DOB Error On My Birth Certificate

What about correcting an error on a birth certificate when the wrong date of birth is noted? A birth certificate is a legal document that indicates the official date of birth (DOB). If the birthdate on an official document is incorrect, you can take steps to correct the incorrect date of birth. In general, it is simpler to change a birth certificate shortly after it was issued than to make a material change after the person is older.

Changing the DOB on a birth certificate is much more complicated than petitioning for a change of name. Petitioning for a name change can be done through a court order or as part of divorce proceedings. The rules for correcting a birth certificate will depend on the state that originally issued your certificate. You may need to get a court order issued by a judge before the vital records office will change your date of birth.

In most cases, the date on a legally-issued birth certificate is presumed to be correct. To correct or amend a birth certificate, you will generally need supporting documentation that shows the date of birth is incorrect. Supporting documents may include:

• Hospital records
• Immigration documents
• Court order
• Birth Certificates
• Passports
• Affidavits

Getting Help to Correct Your Birth Date

If the birth date on your birth certificate is wrong and you need help fixing the date, an attorney can help you gather and file the proper documents to fix your age or birthday. If the state health department denied your application to amend a birth record, your lawyer can identify the reasons why the change was denied or file an appeal to help you legally change your birthday. Talk to a government program lawyer to give you the best advice about your individual situation.