SB 934 - Under current law, a birth certificate may be amended by court order to reflect a surgical sex change. This act prohibits amending a birth certificate when the sex of an individual has been changed by non-surgical means. Additionally, no birth certificate shall be amended if the sex of the individual was changed for reasons other than a medically-verifiable disorder of sex development or to correct a typographic error. This act is substantially similar to SB 100 (2025) and SB 14 (2023). SARAH HASKINS

2026 Regular Session

Missouri SB 934 would restrict birth certificate amendments to only surgically changed or medically verifiable cases, excluding non-surgical or other reasons.

Second Read and Referred S Families, Seniors and Health Committee

Overview

SB 934 (Session 2026, Missouri) seeks to restrict the amendment of birth certificates to reflect changes in sex. The bill would prohibit amending a birth certificate when an individual’s sex has been changed by non-surgical means and would also bar amendments if the sex change was for reasons other than a medically-verifiable disorder of sex development or to correct a typographical error. The act is described as substantially similar to prior proposals SB 100 (2025) and SB 14 (2023).

Purpose and intent

To restrict state recognition of a person’s sex on birth certificates to those changes that involve surgical sex change or medically-verified circumstances.

To ensure that birth certificates reflect sex changes only under narrowly defined conditions, removing non-surgical changes from eligibility for amendment.

Key provisions

Amendments to birth certificates would be prohibited when the individual’s sex has been changed by non-surgical means.

Amendments would be disallowed if the sex change occurred for reasons other than:

A medically-verifiable disorder of sex development, or
Correcting a typographical error.

The act does not appear to authorize new categories of exceptions beyond the two specified conditions.

Who or what would be affected

Individuals seeking to amend the sex listed on their birth certificates in Missouri.

State agencies responsible for issuing or updating birth certificates (e.g., Department of Health and Senior Services or its successor bodies).

Potentially family members or legal representatives involved in birth certificate amendments.

Medical and legal professionals advising patients on birth certificate changes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill was introduced and referred:

Prefiled in December 2025.
First reading in January 2026.
Second reading and referral to the S Families, Seniors and Health Committee on January 8, 2026.

No explicit timelines for processing or appeal are stated in the summary, but the bill would modify the grounds on which amendments may be granted, potentially affecting any subsequent administrative or court procedures tied to amendment petitions.

Potential implications

Legal recognition of gender identity on official records could become more limited, aligning birth certificate amendments with surgical changes or specific medical justifications.

Individuals who previously would have amended their birth certificates for non-surgical reasons or for non-MDS (medically verifiable disorder of sex development) reasons may be unable to do so under the new standard.

Could influence related civil documents, eligibility for gender-affirming programs, or interactions with institutions that rely on birth certificate data, depending on how Missouri applies the amended records.

Notes

The bill is described as substantially similar to prior Missouri proposals (SB 100, 2025; SB 14, 2023), indicating a consistent policy approach across recent sessions.

Specific definitions of terms such as “non-surgical means,” “medically-verifiable disorder of sex development,” and “typographical error” would be critical to implementation and are not fully detailed in the summary provided.