Home › Florida › How-To Guide
Florida · How-To Guide

How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics (state level - Jacksonville) / County Health Department Vital Statistics offices (county level - local access)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: Florida birth records are restricted. Authorized requesters include the registrant (if 18+), parents, legal guardian, spouse, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, and others with documented legal interest.
  2. Choose your method:
  3. IN PERSON AT COUNTY HEALTH DEPT: Visit your county's Florida Department of Health vital statistics office - can issue birth records from their county; some offices issue statewide records; same-day service at most locations
  4. IN PERSON AT STATE OFFICE: Florida FDOH Bureau of Vital Statistics walk-in, 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202; Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; same-day for records 2009-present; pre-2009 records require $10 rush fee for same-day
  5. BY MAIL: Complete Form DH726A; include copy of photo ID and payment (check or money order payable to "Vital Statistics" - NO CASH; credit cards NOT accepted by mail); mail to: Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
  6. ONLINE/PHONE (expedited): Order through VitalChek (only contracted vendor); vitalchek.com or (877) 550-7330; additional VitalChek fee plus $10 rush fee applies; credit cards accepted
  7. Submit application with valid government-issued photo ID (copy for mail orders)
  8. Pay the fee and receive certificate
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed birth certificate application (Form DH726A)
  • Copy of valid government-issued photo ID
  • Proof of relationship if requesting on behalf of another person
  • Payment (check or money order for mail - no cash; credit cards NOT accepted by mail; card accepted in person or via VitalChek)
Fee
$14 per certified photocopy (computer-generated certification); additional copies $4 each (when ordered at same time); $9 non-refundable search fee included in all orders; VitalChek orders add $7 processing fee + $10 rush fee; $10 rush fee for pre-2009 records at walk-in
Processing Time
In person (records 2009-present): same day; by mail: varies; VitalChek online: faster with fees
Online Option
Yes - VitalChek ONLY (only contracted vendor); vitalchek.com or (877) 550-7330
Where to Go
County Health Department Vital Statistics office (in person - often faster); Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 (walk-in or mail); VitalChek online
County-specific variations apply

Florida has county health department vital statistics offices in each of the 67 counties - most can issue certificates from their county's records. Some larger county offices (Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange) issue records from any Florida county. For smaller counties or older records, the state Jacksonville office is most reliable. Verify what records your specific county office holds before visiting. Orange County FDOH: 807 W. Church St., Orlando; (407) 858-1400.

Florida Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Records available from 1850 to present; computer-generated certifications available 1850-present (limited for 1850-1916).
  • TWO certificate formats: Computer-generated certification (standard, $14) vs. Manually-produced photocopy ($14 - must be ordered by mail directly from Jacksonville; not available through VitalChek).
  • Do NOT use non-VitalChek third-party online vendors - Florida warns they may charge excessive fees and are not authorized.
  • $9 search fee is NON-REFUNDABLE even if no record is found.
  • Credit cards NOT accepted for mail orders - check or money order only; $15 fee for dishonored checks.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Florida FDOH Bureau of Vital Statistics walk-in, 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202; Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; same-day for records 2009-present; pre-2009 records require $10 rush fee for same-day BY MAIL: Complete Form DH726A; include copy of photo ID and payment (check or money order payable to "Vital Statistics" - NO CASH; credit cards NOT accepted by mail); mail to: Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042 ONLINE/PHONE (expedited): Order through VitalChek (only contracted vendor); vitalchek.com or (877) 550-7330; additional VitalChek fee plus $10 rush fee applies; credit cards accepted Step 3 - Submit application with valid government-issued photo ID (copy for mail orders) Step 4 - Pay the fee and receive certificate