Margaret E. Jones appeared and petitioned to correct the middle-name spelling on her birth certificate so her name will match the historical usage and allow her to obtain a REAL ID and passport.

Counsel explained that the hospital entry in 1958 had overwritten the mother's intended middle name and recorded it incorrectly; petitioner and witnesses testified that the middle name has been used throughout her life as E-l-e-e-n. Counsel asked the court for an order issuing a corrected birth certificate reflecting the intended spelling.

The court questioned the petitioner about intent and whether the petition was an attempt to avoid debts or creditors; the petitioner said it was not. Witnesses including family members corroborated the petitioner’s statement that her mother used the E-leen spelling. The court indicated it would sign the order to correct the record.

Next steps: the court signaled it would enter an order correcting the birth certificate spelling so the petitioner can proceed to obtain a REAL ID; clerical actions by the clerk will follow.