Vital Records Online (VRO) is a safe and secure U.S.-based service for ordering FL vital records online, including birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates. Rest assured that your documents will arrive securely, and your private information will remain confidential.
Summary:
Florida, the Sunshine State, is projected to reach 24.5 million residents by 2030. Birth, death, fetal death, marriage, and divorce information is available through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics (VR), a division of the Florida Department of Health (FDH).
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics records maintains all Florida vital records. The Bureau has all birth and death records from 1917, as well as some older records dating back to 1865. Florida birth records are confidential for 100 years and are issued only to authorized individuals. Death certificates are a matter of public record. A cause of death is confidential under Florida law and may only be issued to “the decedent’s spouse, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling (if 18 years of age or older)”. A decedent’s cause of death becomes public after 50 years. In addition, marriage records are public Florida vital records.
If you’re doing ancestral research in Florida, the Family History Library (FamilySearch), operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, contains copies of original birth and death records for various counties of Florida and an extensive collection of delayed birth records dating to the 1860s.
Start Your Application Online for FL Vital Records
Request a certified copy of live birth for your baby or child.
Obtain marriage records for yourself or a family member.
Get an original copy of a death certificate replacement for a lost record.
Births, deaths, divorce, and marriages are cornerstones of life, and vital records serve as official documentation of these events. These certificates are used to prove identity, citizenship, and family ties. They are also utilized in settling legal disputes, claiming inheritances, and researching ancestry. They can provide valuable information about your ancestors’ full names, dates of birth and death, and places of residence. If you have misplaced or lost a birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificate, file a police report immediately and request a certified duplicate replacement.
You can find other beneficial uses for vital records in our vital records FAQS section.
You can order your Florida birth certificate online now through VRO, in person, or alternatively by mail from the Florida DOH by following their instructions. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics certifies and issues vital records for all Florida births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. These certificates are also distributed through each county’s local health unit. Search the FL Bureau of Vital Statistics office locations list, which includes locations, contact details, and access to online applications for ordering Florida birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates. Before you order, make sure to review the costs, eligibility, requirements, and processing times.
Visiting the Vital Records Office
Ordering with VRO Filing Services
There are several ways to acquire vital records in person, via mail, or online, which is the easiest option. The Florida Department of Health (FDH) Bureau of Vital Statistics can produce certified copies if you meet the requirements and follow the instructions for birth, death, and marriage certificates. The certificate you require and the method you use to order will determine the associated costs, required documentation, and processing time until the certificate is in your possession. We advise that you understand the requirements before requesting a certified copy of FL vital records from the FDH Bureau of Vital Statistics.
You can apply for Florida vital records in person if you live near where the vital record was initially issued. You can also rely on the convenience of mail or online ordering to avoid long lines at the office.
Below, you’ll find answers to questions about ordering replacement Florida vital records online, through the mail, or in person. It’s crucial to prepare before applying by checking the requirements, fees, processing times, and county Health Department locations to ensure your documents, application, and payment are all mailed to the correct vital records location that produces a certified copy of the original record.
Ordering Florida vital records online with VRO is quick and easy and involves 2 simple steps:
(Choose additional options if you need to insure, expedite, or obtain premium customer support for your application.)
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can submit an online application to order a Florida birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificate. Before starting the online application process, confirm that you have the necessary documents.
With VRO’s simplified system, you can avoid the lengthy process of collecting required documents. You can upload documents quickly from any device with an internet connection. The process only requires around five minutes to complete.
The requirements are generally the same whether you apply for vital records in person or by mail. If you live near a Florida Department of Health office or a vital records-issuing county health office, you can make an in-person request. Be sure to check the office’s opening hours, and be aware that you may find long lines when you arrive. You can avoid these inconveniences by applying online, by mail, or by telephone.
However, if you choose to apply in person at the vital records office, prepare to complete the following tasks:
Additionally, to apply by mail, you will need the following:
It’s crucial to understand the eligibility criteria and requirements for the specific vital records certificate you are requesting before gathering the documents for your application. Proof of Identity for Verifying Authorization
The Florida Department of Health (FDH) Bureau of Vital Statistics requires all applicants to provide proof of identity. The table below shows the documents and necessary information to order certified vital records copies in Florida. Two forms of secondary ID may be accepted if you cannot provide a valid primary ID.
What Documents Are Required to Order Vital Records in Florida?
The Florida DOH-BVS has unique criteria for requesting birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificates. These requirements can vary, depending on certificate type and personal circumstances.
Before collecting the required documents for your vital records application, you must familiarize yourself with the requirements for requesting vital records.
What Information is Required to Apply for Vital Records in Florida?
When applying for a vital record in Florida, applicants must provide key identifying information related to the record type. This may include names, dates, locations, and other relevant details to ensure accurate identification and processing of the request.
| Certificate | Required Information |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | Date of Birth, Full Name of Person of Record, Mailing Address, Parent Names Before Marriage, Phone Number, Place of Birth, Sex, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record, Your Signature |
| Death Certificate | Date of Birth, Date of Death, Email, Full Name of Person of Record, Funeral Home Name, Mailing Address, Phone Number, Place of Death, SSN, Sex, Surviving Spouse, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record, Your Signature |
| Marriage Certificate | Bride's Date of Birth, Bride's Name Before Marriage, County of Marriage, Date of Marriage, Email, Groom Name Before Marriage, Groom's Date of Birth, Mailing Address, Phone Number, Place of Marriage, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record, Your Signature |
| Divorce Certificate | Not Restricted |
Who can request vital records in Florida?
The person on record can request certified copies of their Florida vital records. If you need to request vital records on another person’s behalf, it is important to examine the requirements for birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates to verify your eligibility.
Relatives of the individual on record or legal representatives may lawfully request copies of vital records as defined by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.
| Certificate | Authorized People |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | Self, Father, Mother |
| Death Certificate | Parent, Child, Sibling, Spouse, Grand Child, Legal Guardian |
| Marriage Certificate | Self, Legal Guardian |
| Divorce Certificate | Self, Legal Guardian |
Do I need a notary with my application?
The Florida Health Department generally does not require applicants to acquire a notarized statement with the application. You can visit Florida DOH-BVS at www.floridahealth.gov, for notary information.
The costs for obtaining vital records certificates vary depending on the fees defined by the Florida DH-Bureau of Vital Statistics for each record type, the preferred application method, and whether a notary is required to prove your identity will affect the total cost.
The FLDH-BVS charges a $10.00 fee for each certified copy of a short-form birth record, a $14.00 fee for each long-form birth record, and $6.00 for a marriage, divorce, and death certified copy. Additional copies can be requested for $4.00 that occur during the same order. When you order your records through VRO, the Application Assistant starts at $29.
| Certificate | First Copy Fee | Additional Copy Fee | Rush Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $10.00 | $4.00 | $10.00 |
| Death Certificate | $6.00 | $4.00 | $10.00 |
| Marriage Certificate | $6.00 | $4.00 | $10.00 |
| Divorce Certificate | $6.00 | $4.00 | Not Available |
VRO’s processing fee is $29.
How long will it take to receive my FL vital records? Birth, death, divorce, marriage certificate processing, and replacement times can vary. Check the certificate type in the list below:
| Certificate | Processing Time | Rush Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | 3 to 5 days | 2 to 3 days |
| Death Certificate | 3 to 5 days | 2 to 3 days |
| Marriage Certificate | 5 to 10 days | 3 to 5 days |
| Divorce Certificate | 3 to 5 days | Not Available |
When using VRO for your application, you can monitor the progress of your application processing and shipment. If you manually mail your application packet to the Florida Department of Health, it is recommended to purchase first-class mail tracking to confirm when your application has been successfully received. The state vital records office ships all certified vital records securely via first-class mail. However, they are not accountable for misdirected or undelivered certificates. If your birth certificate goes missing, report it promptly.
What is an apostille?
If you’re requesting Florida vital records, you may require an apostille, a certification that verifies the authenticity of a document. It’s often used when documents need to be filed with a foreign government, as it assures that the document is legitimate.
How can I get an apostille for a vital record?
You can order an apostille directly through the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, which issues apostilles, or online through VRO’s Express Apostille Service. Apostilles are often required when filing a Florida birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificate with a foreign government as part of the 1961 Hague Convention.
VRO Apostille Express Service:
💻 Complete entirely online.
🖨️ Skip handling physical documents.
✈️ Priority shipping via FedEx or DHL.
🌐 Global shipping.
If you already possess a certified copy of your Florida long form birth certificate and the copy is less than 10 years, you can forward it to the Florida Department of State for an Apostille/Notarial Certificate.
For manual Apostille/Notarial requests, you need to submit the following documents:
For simultaneous requests to obtain a birth certificate replacement and an Apostille/Notarial, you need to complete a two-step process:
You can submit the form and certified copy to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Section in person or by courier at the following addresses:
Mailing Address:
Florida Department of State,Walk-in/ Express Mail and Courier Delivery:
Florida Department of State,How can I correct or amend Florida vital records?
You can correct or amend FL vital records by filing a petition in the county’s circuit court where you were born or where your adoption papers were filed (if adopted). The court will then schedule a hearing and notify all parties named in the record. It’s important to note that certain countries may have specific requirements for apostilles, so it’s ideal to do thorough research beforehand. Contacting the nearest consulate or embassy for the country where the apostille or notarial certificate will be used can help ensure that all requirements are met for the vital record certificate. The requirements for requesting the changes or amendments to Florida vital records vary depending on which vital record needs changing.
Typically, requests to correct or amend vital records will require:
Are FL vital records open to the public?
Most state records are public in Florida. The access, however, will depend on the types of records you’re looking for and the year when the birth, death, or marriage occurred. Some third-party websites make it easy to research specific types of vital records. Generally speaking, these sites are not limited based on geographical availability and can be a reference point when researching Florida’s vital records. However, the data on these third-party sites may differ from official government reports. To find a record on a third-party website, the person requesting must provide the following: • The location of the record you’re looking for, including the city, county, or state where it was recorded. • The name of the person on record, if they’re not a minor. Floridians have the right under the Florida Statute Chapter 119 (Public Record Law) to inspect or obtain copies of public vital records.
Where can I search for free public vital records?
You can freely search public Florida vital records through the Florida Department of Health. Numerous websites also provide access to historic vital records. However, many websites may charge a fee for providing Florida vital records online. It’s important to note that these sites may not be official government websites, and significant fees could be associated with accessing their databases.
Each state, county, and municipality creates unique vital record formats. Depending on which entity issued your birth, death, or marriage certificate, you can examine their appearance to ensure you have an authentic certified copy.
The difference between an authorized (certified) vital record and an informational copy is that an authorized record is the original, whereas an informational copy of a vital record is not. An authorized (certified) copy can be used for most legal purposes, with few exceptions.
Authorized Copy:
Authorized (certified) copies constitute legal documents that can be used for official identification, while parties cannot use informational copies to establish identity. As a result, certified copies of vital records are only issued to individuals with a “direct and tangible interest” in the document. A notarized statement may be required to obtain an authorized copy of Florida vital records to acknowledge your legal right to request a certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate. The notarized sworn statement attests to eligibility to request the authorized copy (declaring under penalty of perjury that you are entitled by law to receive an authorized copy). Without the notarized Sworn Statement, the request for FL vital records will be rejected as incomplete and returned to you without processing, leading to further delays.
Informational Copy:
An informational copy is not official and can be used for personal purposes but not for legal or official purposes, such as proving age or citizenship. Find more references regarding birth, death, and marriage certificates in the resources section.
Visit the official Florida government website at https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates/index.html
