Florida Birth Records

Are Birth Records Public in Florida?

No. Section 382.025 of the Florida Statutes restricts the public inspection or copying of birth records less than 100 years old. Only authorized persons can request such vital records (i.e., order certified copies of Florida birth certificates) from the state's Bureau of Vital Statistics. These include:

• The registrant (the individual whose name appears on the birth record), provided the individual is of legal age, i.e., 18 years or older
• A parent named on the record
• A legal guardian (who must supply their guardianship papers)
• The legal representative of any of the above-named persons (with proper documentation)
• An individual bearing a court order

Per the law, the following immediate family members can request access to a birth record less than 100 years old when the registrant dies:

• The spouse of the deceased registrant
• Child
• Grandchild, or
• Sibling

However, the requester must be of legal age and submit a photocopy of the death certificate. (Florida death records can be obtained from the Bureau of Statistics in person or by mail. Individuals can also order Florida death certificates online through a verified online vendor.)

Other persons interested in a Florida birth certificate less than 100 years old must accompany their Florida birth certificate application with the appropriate documentation, which includes a notarized affidavit (DH Form 1958), a legible copy of a valid photo ID, and any supporting documentation.

Once 100 years pass from the birth date registered on a Florida birth record and no court places a seal on the record, the Florida legislature releases access to the public. Such vital statistics records become known as "Florida public birth records".

What are Birth Records in Florida?

Birth records in Florida have documented details of new births, (including stillbirths), in the state and they are compiled by the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The state began recording births in 1899 but it was not until 1920 that there was general compliance to recording births by Florida residents. Some of the information captured on a typical Florida birth certificate includes:

• Name of the child
• Child’s gender
• Child’s date of birth
• Father’s full name
• Mother’s full name including maiden name

It is important to obtain birth certificates in Florida because they are needed to process other vital documents such as proof of citizenship, international passports, and driver’s licenses. Birth certificates are also necessary for school registration, social security registration, and several other legal purposes.

Where to Find Public Birth Records in Florida

To find Florida public birth records, an individual can dial (904) 359-6900 ext. 9000 to reach the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. This state office is responsible for preserving records of Florida's vital events, i.e., birth, marriage, death, and divorce records. The agency also provides mail-in and walk-in services to persons interested in locating public birth records in Florida. The State Bureau of Vital Statistics has birth records from January 1917 to the present but limited birth records between 1850 and 1917.

Besides the state vital records office, one can also speak to a local County Health Department about finding (and perhaps, ordering) Florida public birth records.

Note that the vital records offices do not maintain a Florida birth index or other online databases on their official websites to aid remote public searches of birth records.

How to Find and Request Birth Records Online in Florida

Records of births not up to 100 years old are sealed documents in Florida. This makes it impossible for members of the public to look up birth records on official websites. Usually, to access birth records, Florida citizens must mail in requests or submit applications in person to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics or a local vital records office.

Citizens can also order birth certificates online through private companies authorized by the Bureau. The confidential nature of Florida birth records allows only the registrants named on the certificates and members of their family to make online orders. Several unlicensed third-party websites may offer birth certificate request services. To avoid falling victim to scammers, requesters are advised to order birth records from verified online vendors only.

Considered open to citizens of the United States, public records are available through both traditional, government sources, and through third-party websites and organizations. In many cases, third-party websites make the search easier as they are not limited geographically or by technological limitations. They are considered a good place to start when looking for a specific record or multiple records. In order to gain access to these records, interested parties must typically provide:

• The name of the person listed in the record. Juveniles are typically exempt from this search method.
• The last known or assumed location of the person listed in the record. This includes cities, counties, and states.

While third-party sites offer such services, they are not government-sponsored entities, and record availability may vary on these sites when compared to government sources.

How to Get Birth Records in Florida

To obtain birth certificates in Florida, inquirers can choose to mail in requests or submit applications in person to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The Florida Health Department also has stations in each county where interested Florida citizens can order and pick up birth certificates.

Obtaining birth records by mail or in person has certain advantages over online orders through verified private companies. Requesters that submit applications in person can obtain their birth certificates on that same day. It also costs less to obtain birth records in person as extra fees charged by online service providers will be bypassed.

Florida issues two types of birth certificates:

• A shorter computer-generated certificate, with only a little information on it.
• A manually produced certificate that contains more information.

Inquirers that place online orders for Florida birth records only have access to computer-generated birth certificates.

The first step to ordering birth records in Florida is to download and complete the Application for a Florida Birth Record. Requesters are to submit the completed application forms in person or by mail to the Bureau or outlets provided by the local County Health Departments.

Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics

Florida’s Bureau of Vital Statistics is the official government body tasked with collating, keeping, and issuing state birth records, as well as other state vital records like the Florida marriage certificates, death records, and divorce certificates. Florida citizens can either mail in requests or submit birth record applications in person to the Bureau.

Walk-In Requests

The completed Application for a Florida Birth Record form should be submitted at the Bureau’s office situated at:

Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202

The Bureau’s offices are open to requesters from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. For additional information, requesters are to contact the Bureau at (904) 359-6900.

Mail-In Requests

Interested Florida citizens can also request birth records by mail. Completed application forms are to be sent by mail to:

Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042

Some requesters may demand immediate processing and production of requested birth certificates. Such requesters are to mark the envelopes containing their valid applications and accompanying documents with “RUSH”. The Bureau charges extra fees for expedited services.

Local County Health Departments

Florida’s Health Department has offices in every county in the state. Each County Health Department has a Vital Statistics Unit where interested members of the public can seek and obtain birth records. Requesters can forward requests or walk into any County Health Department and apply in person for birth certificates. For example, to order birth certificates from the Hillsborough County Health Department, requests should be forwarded to:

Florida Department of Health - Hillsborough County
Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 5135
Tampa, FL 33675-5135

Some County Health Departments have additional outlets at Tax Offices where members of the public can obtain birth records. These outstations ensure county residents have multiple access to obtaining birth certificates.

Requesters that are unable to access the Application for a Florida Birth Record form can obtain birth records by submitting written requests. Such a request must include:

• Information of the person named on the certificate disclosing the full name of the registrant, sex, date of birth, city or county of birth, and parents’ full names.
• Information of the person requesting (if on behalf of another person) including full name, relationship to the person on the certificate, mailing address, full phone number, and signature.
• The type of certificate requested
• Applicant’s photo identification. This can be either a driver’s license, State Identification Card, or International Passport.

How to Get Birth Records From a Hospital in Florida

Florida hospitals do not issue birth certificates. Florida statutes require physicians and midwives to forward details of new births to the local registrar within 48 hours. This makes most hospital records merely suitable for data entry purposes. However, requesters can approach their local County Health Departments to seek official birth records. Many County Health Departments have offices at hospitals. An example is the Hillsborough County Health Department that has a Vital Statistics Office at the St Joseph’s Women’s Hospital. The Hillsborough County Health Department has also made locations at certain Tax Collector Offices in the county available for inquirers to obtain birth certificates. Requesters can walk in or mail applications to these locations and obtain official birth records.

Can Anyone Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate in Florida?

In Florida, members of the public only have access to birth records that are over a hundred years. For births not up to a hundred years, only registrants whose names appear on the certificates can obtain Florida birth certificates. These registrants also have to be of legal age (above 18 years old) before being granted access to the certificates. Where registrants are not up to the legal age, birth certificates are issued to parents, guardians, or representatives. The parents must be the same people listed on the birth certificates while guardians must provide guardianship papers. In situations where the parents or guardians are not available, they can send representatives to pick up birth certificates on their behalf. Requests for birth certificates to be picked up by representatives must be accompanied by supporting photo identification documents. These representatives are also expected to submit completed and duly signed Affidavit to Release Birth Certificate.

Births resulting in stillbirths are also entitled to birth certificates. These certificates are only eligible to those whose gestation has passed 20 weeks and has a record of fetal death after birth. Requesters can obtain birth certificates for stillbirths that occurred from 1947 up to the present time. Only parents, their legal representatives, or those authorized by the court may be issued birth certificates for stillbirths. Once issued, birth records for stillbirths become public records.

How Much Does a Birth Certificate Cost in Florida?

The cost of obtaining birth certificates in Florida depends on the mode of inquiry.

Online Requests

Third-party websites providing birth records request services charge these fees:

• $19 fee to cover the Bureau of Vital Statistics’ first computer-generated certification (This includes a $9 search fee and a $10 rush processing fee).
• $7 fee covering identity verification and filing records requests with the Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• $4 for each additional computer-generated copy issued.

Shipping birth certificates through regular mail attracts no extra charges. However, receiving birth certificates by UPS mail attracts an additional cost of $15.50 per transaction charged by the shipping company for destinations within the United States.

Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics

The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics has two categories of prices for the different formats of birth certificates issued.

For computer-generated certificates, the Bureau charges:

• $9 for the first computer-generated certificates.
• $4 for every additional copy.

For the manually produced certificates, the Bureau requires requesters to pay:

• $14 for the first copy issued.
• $4 for each additional copy.

When unsure about the particular year the birth certificates requested were issued, requesters are to give the issuing bodies a possible range of years to be searched. This search costs $2 per year searched.

Walk-in requesters that demand same-day delivery are charged an additional $10 rush order and they can make payments by cash, checks, money orders, and debit cards. Birth records requests sent by mail and marked with “RUSH” also come with a $10 expedited service fee added to the original cost of the orders. Orders sent by mails can only be paid for with checks or money orders made payable to Vital Statistics.

All fees are nonrefundable, except for fees initially paid to cover additional copies but the records were not found. These fees are refunded after applicants submit written requests.

Local County Health Departments

The fees charged by Health Departments in Florida counties for obtaining birth certificates vary.

For instance, the Orange County Health Department charges $15 for birth certificates requests submitted at their office located at:

807 West Church Street
Orlando, FL 32805

Additional copies of that same birth certificate attract a fee of $8 each.

However, at Tax Collector Offices, Orange County charges $21.25 for each certified copy while additional copies cost $8 each. It should be noted that only Orange County residents are served at the locations made available at the Tax Collector Offices.

Hillsborough County’s Health Department, on their part, charges $14 for the first computer-generated birth certificate while additional copies are priced at $9 each.

Birth certificates for stillbirths can only be ordered from the Bureau of Vital Statistics and the fees charged are:

• $9 fee for one calendar year search and one birth certificate.
• $4 charged for each additional copy issued.
• $2 for each year searched when the exact year to be searched is unknown.

Commemorative birth certificates suitable for framing and preservation as a family heritage can also be ordered from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. After completing and submitting the application for commemorative certificate requests, requesters are billed $34 for the first commemorative copy produced. Additional commemorative certificates are priced at $25 each.

To amend errors on birth certificates, requesters are required to download and complete this amendment form. This form, alongside supporting documentation to prove errors were made on the initial certificates, are to be submitted to the Bureau and a nonrefundable $20 fee is charged for one amended certified record.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Birth Certificate in Florida?

Online Requests

It usually takes less than a week to receive birth certificates ordered online. Requesters are notified of the exact date certificates will be delivered after completing the ordering process online.

Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics

Usually, it takes between 3 to 5 business days to process and generate birth certificates at the Bureau for requests sent by mail. Shipping and delivery may take one or two extra days. However, walk-in applicants can have their birth certificates handed to them on the same day after paying the extra $10 rush order processing fee.

Local County Health Departments

At the Health Departments in different counties, birth certificate requests are processed almost immediately. Walk-in requests filed at the Hillsborough County Health Department are usually processed and produced on the same day at no extra cost. The Hillsborough County Health Department also processes applications received by fax before noon and delivers, also by fax, on the same day. To access this service, requesters must have paid the $10 expedited service fee. Birth certificate orders received after noon will be delivered on the next business day. Requesters are to fax their applications to (813) 903-3370.

How to Get a New Birth Certificate in Florida

In Florida, registrants, parents, or legal representatives can obtain new or amended birth certificates from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. This government office has the authority to correct omissions or errors in the records of vital events (births and deaths) that occurred in the state.

According to the law, the Bureau of Vital Statistics files new birth certificates in the following instances:

• After a court approves an adoption
• After the acknowledgment of paternity

However, before the department can create a new birth record, it must receive an application, certain supporting documentation, and a fee from a qualified applicant. For example, in cases of adoption, the clerk of the court that approved the adoption will forward an adoption report to the agency within 30 days.

Subsequently, the Bureau will file a new birth record for the adopted child. The entire process costs $20 (which includes one certification of the new birth certificate). Applicants will have to submit an Application for Amendment to Florida Birth Record (DH Form 429), a Certified Statement of Final Decree of Adoption (DH Form 527), and, if applicable, a Petition for Termination of Parental Rights (DH Form 5075) to the state registrar via mail. The second page of DH Form 527 carries detailed instructions.

Individuals can call (904) 359-6900 ext. 9005 to reach the Correction Unit or visit the Bureau's Amendments and Corrections site for further assistance.

After issuing a new birth certificate, the Bureau of Vital Statistics seals the original birth certificate. This seal cannot be removed unless by court order.

Note: For all other requests to change information on a birth certificate (like adding or removing a name), the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics only amends the original birth certificate. To amend a birth certificate, an individual must pay the $20 non-refundable amendment fee and submit the required supporting documentation (e.g., a Florida marriage certificate if adding a father's name).

An eligible individual can order an amended or new birth certificate the same way they order a certified copy of any birth record in Florida, as explained previously.

Can You Find Florida Birth Certificates Online?

No. Local and state vital records offices in Florida do not issue birth certificates online, whether certified copies of original Florida birth certificates, new or amended birth certificates, commemorative birth certificates, or other birth record types. Neither do these government agencies provide a means for individuals to perform Florida birth certificate searches online to find birth certificates.

Typically, an eligible individual must place an order for a certified copy of a birth certificate. One can submit this Florida birth certificate application in person, by mail, or to an approved third-party online vendor. Some county health departments (like the Brevard County Health Department) also receive requests for Florida birth certificates by fax.

How to Expunge Your Birth Records in Florida

Florida statutes define expunction of a record as the court-ordered physical destruction of parts or all of a person’s criminal records. When records are sealed, members of the public are restricted from gaining access to the records while some government entities have unrestrained access to the sealed records. However, these government agencies also do not have access to expunged records. Expunging records benefits offenders greatly because previous criminal records will no longer hinder past offenders from gaining access to some opportunities.

Florida does not make provision for expunging birth records. Florida statutes describe several types of expungements all relating to criminal records with no reference to the possibility of expunging birth records.

How to Seal Your Birth Records in Florida

Birth records are automatically sealed in Florida. Only birth records that are over a hundred years are made public in the state. When under seal, members of the public are restricted from gaining access to the birth records. Access to a sealed birth record is limited to adults whose names appear on the birth certificates. Persons below the age of 18 do not have access to birth certificates even if their names are on those certificates. Parents and guardians can obtain birth records on behalf of minors under their care. When unavailable, guardians and parents can send representatives to obtain birth records. These representatives must submit completed and signed affidavits alongside their birth record requests. Photo IDs of these representatives are also required to confirm the identities of the requesters.

Florida adoption records, including court proceedings, are also sealed by law. Adoptees or adoptive parents are not required to file a petition to seal adoption records with the court.

How to Unseal Your Birth Records in Florida

Upon the completion of adoption processes in Florida, all related Florida adoption records are sealed. The records sealed include the original birth certificates, with adoptees issued new birth certificates. These new certificates will bear the same file numbers as the original copies but the names of the adoptive parents will replace that of the birth parents. There will also be no indication that the certificates belong to adopted children. The aim is to remove every stigma associated with adoption and ensure adoptees have a normal upbringing.

Up until 1977, adoptees had unrestricted access to obtain their sealed original birth certificates. However, amendments to Florida statutes led to adoptees requiring court orders before accessing and obtaining their sealed original birth certificates.

To unseal birth records, adoptees are to file petitions with the Clerk of the Court in the county the adoptions took place. The Clerk sets the court action in progress and helps to get the case heard. If the court rules so, adoptees can then access and obtain their original birth certificates.

Who Signs Birth and Death Certificates in Florida?

In general, the circumstances surrounding a birth or death determine who signs the birth or death certificate in Florida.

Per Section 382.013 of the Florida Statutes, a certificate of each live birth occurring in Florida must be filed within five days with the local registrar serving the district where the birth occurred, and the local registrar will register the birth. The person who prepares, signs, and files the birth certificate varies based on where the birth occurred.

• If the birth took place in a birth center, hospital, or another healthcare facility or en route to these places, then the individual in charge of the facility must sign the certificate and file it with the local registrar.
• If the birth occurred outside a healthcare facility and one of the following persons was in attendance during or shortly after the delivery, such a person must prepare, sign, and file the birth certificate:
  • A certified nurse-midwife (CNM);
  • A state-licensed physician or midwife; or
  • A public health nurse employed by the health department.
• Suppose the birth happened outside a healthcare facility, and none of the above-named persons were in attendance. In that case, the person in attendance, the father, or the mother must certify the facts of the birth to the local registrar.

On the other hand, commemorative birth certificates issued in Florida - typically for display and maintenance as a family heirloom - are signed by the state registrar of the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics and the present Governor. (Section 382.025 (c))

Signing of Florida Death Certificates

Section 382.008 of the Florida Statutes sets out who signs a Florida death certificate after a person's demise. According to the law, a Florida death certificate is signed by the practitioner that managed a decedent's illness or condition that led to death or the medical examiner of the county where the death occurred or the body was discovered.

The law requires the primary/attending practitioner or, if applicable, the district medical examiner to certify over their signature the cause of death within 72 hours of the death.

The designation "primary or attending practitioner" encompasses the following professionals:

• A physician
• Physician Assistant (PA)
• Advanced practice registered nurse certified under Section 464.0123

Such persons must have treated the deceased person through examination, medication, or medical advice within the 12 months preceding the death.

What is a Florida Birth Index?

A birth index (otherwise called a birth registry) is a database of all births that occurred and were registered in a specific region. This index may be accessed online through an official government custodian's website and searchable with keywords such as a registrant's last name or birth year. Information that may be retrieved after searching a birth index includes:

• The registrant's full name
• Date of birth
• Birthplace
• Sex
• Parents' names

The Florida vital records office does not currently provide a Florida birth index to the public, largely because records of births in Florida are, for the most part, sealed. Those who want to search the state health department's Florida birth registry and are eligible must submit a birth certificate application and pay the non-refundable $9 search fee (and any other applicable fee) to the department.

Note that the $9 search fee covers a year's search of the Florida birth registry. Any extra year searched costs $2, but the total years searched cannot exceed $50. In other words, a person can only search up to 25 years with each Florida birth certificate application.