Vital Records Online is a safe and secure US-based service for ordering Florida birth, marriage, and death certificates online. Rest assured that your documents will arrive securely, and your private information remains 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 is responsible for maintaining all vital records. The Bureau has all birth and death records from 1917 and 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 by 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, Florida marriage records are public 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.
Certified copies of vital records are some of the most critical documents someone can have. They are often used to prove identity and citizenship and can help settle legal disputes, claim an inheritance, and investigate family history. Certified copies of vital records can provide key details about your ancestors, such as their full names, dates of birth and death, and physical locations. You can find other beneficial uses for vital records in the birth, death, and marriage certificate FAQs.
If you have lost or misplaced a birth, marriage, or death certificate, file a police report and request a certified duplicate replacement as soon as possible.
All certified vital records are issued by the state that recorded the event. In Florida, you can find the county where the person on record was born from the complete list below of FL Bureau of Vital Statistics office locations.
In the United States, all vital records are maintained at the county and state levels, with each life event recorded within local jurisdictions. Vital Records Online is a safe and secure service for online ordering Florida birth, marriage, and death certificates. Rest assured that your vital documents will be delivered safely and securely, while your sensitive information will be safeguarded with the utmost confidentiality.
❗️If you seek historical records for ancestry or genealogy research in Florida, they are freely available from various public archives.
Visiting Vital Records Office
Ordering Vital Records Online
There are several ways to acquire Florida vital records, in-person, via mail, or online, which can be 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. Depending on which certificate you need and the method you order will determine the associated costs, required documentation, and processing time until the certificate is in your possession. We advise you to understand the requirements to meet before requesting a certified copy of a vital record from the FDH-Bureau of Vital Statistics.
You can apply in person if you live near where the vital record was initially issued. Or you can rely on the convenience of mail or ordering online, which can help avoid long waiting lines.
Below you can find answers to questions about ordering vital record replacements online, through the mail, or in person. It is crucial to prepare before applying by checking the requirements, fees, processing times, and county health department locations to ensure your documents, application, and payment for the fee are mailed to the correct vital record location that produces a certified copy of the original record.
Ordering through Vital Records Online is fast and effortless, providing a simple two-step process.
(Choose additional options if you need to insure, expedite, or obtain premium customer support for your application.)
If you are authorized to request a replacement, you start the secure online application to order a Florida birth, death, or marriage certificate. Vital Records Online offers a user-friendly step-by-step ordering system that assists with gathering the required documents. You can complete the application process on any device in as little as five minutes. The online application also assists in eliminating errors or missing documents that may cause your application to be rejected.
✔︎ First-Class mail tracking is included with every online application.
✔︎ Additional copies of your certified vital records can be purchased for the state’s fee during the online application to save future costs.
✔︎ Vital Records Online’s support team manages scanning, printing, and finding a notary for your application and documents. Learn more about how the online ordering and premium handling process works.
You may consider applying in person if you reside within a reasonable distance of the health department that issues the certified copy of the vital record you need. You can rely on mail or order online if you prefer to avoid long wait lines or live too far or in another state, and ordering online is often the most convenient method if you live overseas.
The requirements are generally the same whether you apply for vital records in-person or by mail. However, if you choose to apply in person at the vital records office, prepare to complete the following tasks:
Additionally, by mail, you will need the following:
To avoid your application being denied due to mistakes or incomplete information, review the necessary criteria for each required document before mailing it.
❗️ Ensure that your documents, application, and payment are submitted to the correct health department that issues certified copies of the preserved original record.
❗️ Before receiving approval, confirm if you must also have your documents and application notarized with a sworn statement for identity verification.
Learn more about our services for replacing birth, death, or marriage certificates for you or a family member. Each certificate type has unique requirements for who can request a certified replacement. Vital Records Online can help simplify the process and reduce mistakes, leading to quicker processing time.
It’s important to understand the requirements before gathering the documents for your vital records application.
Proof of Identity for Verifying Authorization
The Florida Department of Health (FDH) Bureau of Vital Statistics requires all applicants to prove their identity. People commonly use a driver’s license or a state photo ID (Check other acceptable IDs per certificate needed). Under certain circumstances, including a photocopy of their ID with a notarized sworn statement is required to attest that they are authorized to obtain the record.
What Documents Are Required to Order Vital Records in Florida?
The Florida DOH-BVS stipulates that an individual seeking a certified vital record must present the following information to authenticate their request:
The Florida DOH-BVS defines unique conditions for each type of certificate and personal circumstance. Check the details of eligibility conditions and requirements for Florida birth, death, and marriage replacements.
| Certificate | Required Information | ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Options | Notary Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Driver's License, Passport, State ID, US Military ID | College ID, Consular Card, Foreign Driver's License, Health Insurance Card, ID Card, Matricula Card, Tax Documents, Vehicle Registration | Notary for Affidavit if not Authorized |
| 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 | Driver's License, Passport, State ID, US Military ID | College ID, Consular Card, Foreign Driver's License, Health Insurance Card, ID Card, Matricula Card, Tax Documents, Vehicle Registration, Work ID | Notary for Affidavit if not Authorized |
| 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 | 3 - 5 business days, Same day (walk-in) |
❗️ The Vital Records processing department of the Florida DOH-BVS can produce an informational copy if your application is not entirely approved. You cannot get a refund in this scenario. Avoiding a rejection can save you from accumulating additional costs and an extended wait time.
Who can request vital records in Florida?
The person on record may request a certified copy of their vital records for themselves and family members.
If requesting a vital record on another individual’s behalf, you can check the eligibility requirements for each birth, death, and marriage certificate to verify that you are authorized. As part of the process to request a vital record declared by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, the third party requesting the record on another individual’s behalf may or may not be eligible unless they are a family member or legal representative for the individual on record.
| Certificate | Authorized People |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | Children (of deceased Spouse), Grandchildren (if person on record is deceased), Legal Guardian, Legal Representative, Other Person by Court Order, Parents, Person on Record, Siblings (of deceased) |
| Death Certificate | Attorneys, Children, Grandchildren, Interested Parties (personal or property rights legal need), Other Person by Court Order, Parents, Siblings, Spouse |
| Marriage Certificate | Not Restricted |
✔︎ If you have documentation of legitimate interest or a Power of Attorney (POA) from the person on record, you are eligible to request a vital record for that individual.
Do I need a notary with my application?
The Florida Health Department doesn’t generally require applicants to prove their identity with a notarized sworn statement with the application. Below is a list of common scenarios requiring a notary with your application. You can visit the Florida DOH-BVS website at www.floridahealth.gov to find more information about unique circumstances that may require a notary with your application.
❗️ A notarized sworn statement may be required under the following circumstances:
✔︎ Vital Records Online includes an online notary service as part of your application packet. Otherwise, you must bring your ID when choosing to use a local public notary to create this document.
✔︎ The Florida Department of Health does not require a photocopy of your ID; the notarized application document will be enough proof of identity.
✔︎ A notarized sworn statement is not required when requesting informational copies of Florida vital records.
FDH-Bureau of Vital Statistics determines the costs for vital record replacements. Whether you submit your application online or in-person and whether a notary is required to prove your identity will affect the total costs.
The Bureau of Vital Statistics charges a $9.00 fee for each certified copy of a birth record, $5.00 for a marriage certificate certified copy, and $5.00 for a death certificate. Additional copies can be requested for $4.00 that occur during the same order.
| Certificate | Fee | Additional Copy | Rush State Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $9.00 | $4.00 | $10.00 |
| Death Certificate | $5.00 | $4.00 | $10.00 |
| Marriage Certificate | $5.00 | $4.00 | $10.00 |
✔︎ You can request additional copies when ordering to have spares in case of an event when your vital records go missing, get damaged, or are stolen.
VitalRecordsOnline.com processing fee is $29.
How long will it take to receive my vital records from Florida?
Birth, death, and 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 business days | 2 - 3 business days, Same day (walk-in) |
| Death Certificate | 3 to 5 business days | 2 - 3 business days, Same day (walk-in) |
| Marriage Certificate | 3 to 5 business days | 3 - 5 business days, Same day (walk-in) |
❗️ We also advise allowing 2-3 additional days to obtain a notary if you use a local notary.
❗️ A simple error, typo, or missing document can cause wait times to double, repeat shipping costs, or expose personal information.
If you submit your application through Vital Records Online, you can check the order status and track your application packet to the Florida Department of Health with the prepaid postage included with your order. The FDH-Bureau of Vital Statistics ships all vital records via USPS first-class mail to protect your vital records but does not claim responsibility for any misdirected or lost certificates.
If you manually mail the application packet to the FL Bureau of Vital Statistics, remember to purchase first-class mail tracking to know when your application arrives at their office.
❓ Find more frequently asked questions below the Florida counties office locations directory.
An Apostille is a certification that verifies the authenticity of a document. It is often used when documents need to be filed with a foreign government, as it provides assurance that the document is legitimate. To get an Apostille for Florida vital records, you must contact the Florida Secretary of State.
How can I get an apostille for a vital record?
The only way to obtain an apostille for Florida vital records is through the Florida Secretary of State. Getting an apostille is a two-step process. The first step is obtaining a vital record event certification from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Once you have received the vital record certificate, you must forward it to the Florida Department of State for an Apostille/Notarial Certificate. You can do this by completing the appropriate application on the floridahealth.gov website.
To get an apostille for a vital record in Florida, you will need to submit the following documents:
The apostille process is simple, and you can complete it online. To get an apostille, you will need to send all the documents, payment, and application to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations. You can go in person or use courier delivery if you prefer.
Mailing Address:
Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Certificate,
P.O. Box 6800,
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6800
In the case that you want to go in person or use courier delivery at the following address:
Walk-in/Courier Delivery:
Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Certificate,
2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810,
Tallahassee, FL 32303.
You can reach the Secretary of State’s office at (904) 359-6900 or online at www.floridahealth.gov.
You can correct or amend 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 is important to note that certain countries may have specific requirements for apostilles, so it is 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 vary depending on which vital record needs changing.
Typically, requests to correct or amend vital records will require
Learn more about correcting or amending birth, death, and marriage certificates.
Where can I search for free public records?
You can freely search public records for Florida vital records through the Florida Department of Health. Numerous websites also provide access to historic Florida vital records. However, many websites may charge a fee for providing this information. It is important to note that these sites may not be official government websites, and significant fees could be associated with accessing their databases.
Are Florida 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 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:
Floridians have the right under the Florida Statute Chapter 119 (Public Record Law) to inspect or obtain copies of public vital records.
Each state, county, and municipality create 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 Sworn Statement may be required to obtain an authorized copy of a vital record 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 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
