Robert, formerly known as William Bowman v. State of Texas Vital Statistics Registrar Office

Summary

The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas adopted a magistrate judge's Report and Recommendation and dismissed Robert's pro se complaint against the State of Texas Vital Statistics Registrar Office for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. The court overruled Robert's objections, found that the complaint presented neither a federal question nor alleged diversity jurisdiction, and directed the Clerk to close the case.

Holdings

1. General objections that do not specifically identify an alleged factual or legal error do not require de novo review; the district court may review the unobjected-to recommendations for clear error or whether they are contrary to law.
2. The complaint did not establish federal subject matter jurisdiction because it presented no federal question and did not allege diversity jurisdiction; the action was therefore dismissed.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the plaintiff's general objections to the magistrate judge's Report and Recommendation required de novo review.
2. Whether the complaint established federal subject matter jurisdiction over the plaintiff's request to change or revert his legal name and birth-certificate records.

Disposition

dismissed