Can i change my last name in the Baptismal Certificate?

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Dylan101

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Hi!.. actually, this is my sister’s problem. I just want to help her…
In her NSO birth and live birth, she bear the last name of our Mother, but in her Baptismal Certificate she bear our Father’s last name… Could she possibly request to the Church to change her last name in her Baptismal Certificate ( w/c has our Father’s name ), and change it to our Mother’s last name?.. this is for some legal reasons… tnx.
 
Dylan101 said:
Hi!.. actually, this is my sister’s problem. I just want to help her…
In her NSO birth and live birth, she bear the last name of our Mother, but in her Baptismal Certificate she bear our Father’s last name… Could she possibly request to the Church to change her last name in her Baptismal Certificate ( w/c has our Father’s name ), and change it to our Mother’s last name?.. this is for some legal reasons… tnx.
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I would doubt it. Upon receipt of the baptismal certificate she would have the chance to read it and check for mistakes. After that I believe its too late and anyway it does not sound like a mistake was made.
 
What is her legal surname? The baptismal record would not be changed, but sometimes notations are put in to record a legal name change or an adoption and the baptismal certificate is reissued with the new name.
 
Dylan101 said:
Hi!.. actually, this is my sister’s problem. I just want to help her…
In her NSO birth and live birth, she bear the last name of our Mother, but in her Baptismal Certificate she bear our Father’s last name… Could she possibly request to the Church to change her last name in her Baptismal Certificate ( w/c has our Father’s name ), and change it to our Mother’s last name?.. this is for some legal reasons… tnx.
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As others have said, they don’t generally change sacramental records (though they may make notations). If records could be changed, they wouldn’t have much worth as “records”.

That said, your sister should contact the parish where she was baptized and see what can be done in order to resolve any legal issues.
 
Dylan101 said:
In her NSO birth and live birth, she bear the last name of our Mother, but in her Baptismal Certificate she bear our Father’s last name… Could she possibly request to the Church to change her last name in her Baptismal Certificate ( w/c has our Father’s name ), and change it to our Mother’s last name?..
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If her legal last name at the time of baptism was her mother’s name, then yes the baptismal record can be changed because its in error.
dconklin said:
Bapt Certs are not legal documents.
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They can be accepted as legal documents for certain purposes because they contain the mother’s maiden name and date/city of birth.
 
Phemie said:
That all depends on where you live.
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They used to be accepted as legal documents in Quebec and at the federal level for Quebecers (ie applying for a passport) but not anymore. Not sure where they are still legal documents now.
 
Dylan101 said:
Hi!.. actually, this is my sister’s problem. I just want to help her…
In her NSO birth and live birth, she bear the last name of our Mother, but in her Baptismal Certificate she bear our Father’s last name… Could she possibly request to the Church to change her last name in her Baptismal Certificate ( w/c has our Father’s name ), and change it to our Mother’s last name?.. this is for some legal reasons… tnx.
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The best place to ask is the parish register. Most people her are from the US and the rules may be different. I see from your location and your mention of “NSO” (National Statistics Office) that you are from the Philippines. The rules could be different there, so call the parish where the baptismal record is and ask.
 
OraLabora said:
They used to be accepted as legal documents in Quebec and at the federal level for Quebecers (ie applying for a passport) but not anymore. Not sure where they are still legal documents now.
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In the Philippines they ceased to be legal documents as well. Before you can use them as IDs but now we have a central register with the government that takes care of all the identity stuff.
 
Baptismal Records can be changed if there is an error. I have firsthand experience with this, because an error was made on the records of one of my children.
 
Dylan101 said:
Hi!.. actually, this is my sister’s problem. I just want to help her…
In her NSO birth and live birth, she bear the last name of our Mother, but in her Baptismal Certificate she bear our Father’s last name… Could she possibly request to the Church to change her last name in her Baptismal Certificate ( w/c has our Father’s name ), and change it to our Mother’s last name?.. this is for some legal reasons… tnx.
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Go and see your parish priest or the person to whom he may have delegated the maintenance of parish records. We can’t know the answer to your question. Your question generates other ones, which I’m not saying you have to answer. But, why does your sister want to change his baptismal record? What’s your country’s bishops’ conference norms on baptismal records? What’s your diocese’s regulations concerning baptismal records?

Speak to the appropriate person, whom I’m sure will want you to explain why you want the change.
 
dconklin said:
Bapt Certs are not legal documents.
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they are in some countries

the individual herself (or the parents of a minor) need to take the official court or civil document showing the legal name change to the parish where they were baptized. The record will be amended (not erased) and a new certificate issued showing the new legal name, and a facsmile of the court record will be filed in the sacramental record file. Ordinarily getting married does not change a woman’s baptismal name, which is why her child’s sacramental certificates and her marriage certificate will show her maiden (baptismal) name.
 
I’m Canadian. When I was baptized, I had my father’s last name. I legally changed it to my mother’s maiden name in my late twenties. (for personal reasons).
My baptismal record could not be changed, even though my name change was legal and changed my birth record, at the time I was baptized, that had been my last name.
When my fiance and I went to do our Pre-Cana, the priest took my birth certificate and change of name certificate for the record, and I just explained why it was changed and he made a note. But my baptismal certificate did not change as it was an official Church document.
If they had your sister’s name wrong the first time, they would need to change it. But, if she changed it later like I did, likely it would not be changed.
Hope that helps.
God Bless.
 
OraLabora said:
They used to be accepted as legal documents in Quebec and at the federal level for Quebecers (ie applying for a passport) but not anymore. Not sure where they are still legal documents now.
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The United States Navy took mine.

And when they returned it, it was two-hole punched!

hawk
 
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