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Northern Mariana Islands birth certificates

Update your name
YesAfter your legal name change
Gender markerThe sex or gender field (M, F, or X) printed on an ID document or stored in an agency's record.
LimitedM or F with proof of surgery

If you were born in the CNMI, you can change the sex on your birth certificate only with a CNMI Superior Court order stating that your sex was changed by surgical procedure. You can change the name with a certified Superior Court name change order.

Draft from official sources, September 24, 2026. Not yet checked by a person. How we verify

This applies only if you were born here. Birth certificates follow your birth state, not where you live now. Choose your birth state

On this page
  1. How it works
  2. Steps
  3. After you finish
  4. Laws and other guides
  5. Sources

How it works

Birth records are kept by the Health and Vital Statistics Office of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) in Saipan.

  • Name: under 1 CMC § 26018(c), the Registrar amends your birth certificate when you submit a certified copy of a CNMI Superior Court order changing your name. Under Public Law 24-38 (2026), any resident can now get such an order (see the CNMI name change guide).
  • Sex marker: under § 26018(d), the certificate is amended when the Registrar receives a certified CNMI Superior Court order indicating that your sex "has been changed by surgical procedure." You need both surgery and a court order. There is no X option.
  • Amended certificates indicate that they were amended (§ 26018(b)). If the Registrar refuses, you can appeal to the Superior Court (§ 26018(e)).

If you were born elsewhere, your birthplace's rules apply.

Steps

  1. Get a Superior Court order[1][4]

    For a name change, use the PL 24-38 petition. For a sex marker change, you need a court order stating that your sex was changed by surgical procedure. A lawyer can help you petition, typically with a sworn statement from your surgeon. You can ask for both in one case.

  2. Submit the order to Vital Statistics[3][2]

    Take or send a certified copy of the order and your request to the CHCC Health and Vital Statistics Office (Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, 670-234-8950). Ask about the amendment fee and certified copies.

  3. If refused, you can appeal[1]

    Optional

    The Registrar must tell you the reason for a refusal and your right to appeal to the CNMI Superior Court.

More detail

After you finishUse the amended certificate at the BMV.

Use the amended certificate at the BMV. For your passport and Social Security, see the federal guides.

Laws and other guides2 laws, 1 other guide

Laws and rules

Other trusted guides

Sources

4 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. 1 CMC § 26018, Amendment of Vital RecordsCNMI Law Revision Commission, Law. accessed
    “Upon receipt of a certified copy of an order of the CNMI Superior Court indicating the sex of an individual born in the CNMI has been changed by surgical procedure and whether such individual's name has been changed, the certificate of birth of such individual shall be amended as prescribed by regulation.”
  2. 1 CMC § 26022, FeesCNMI Law Revision Commission, Law. accessed
    “The State Agency shall prescribe by regulation the fee to be paid for ... the amendment of a vital record.”
  3. Health and Vital Statistics OfficeCommonwealth Healthcare Corporation, Official page. accessed
    “Hours Monday-Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Phone: 1 (670) 234-8950”
  4. Public Law 24-38 (HB 24-10)CNMI Law Revision Commission, Law. accessed