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Florida Birth Certificates

Learn how to order Florida Birth Certificates from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. The current processing time is 3 to 5 business days with a $10 Rush Processing fee for 2 to 3 business days. The state fee is $9 for a short form and $14.00 for a long-form copy, with additional copies costing $4 each. Authorized individuals who can order include the person on record, certain family members, legal representatives, and other third parties with a court order.

How to Order a Florida Birth Certificate

You can conveniently order your Florida birth certificate online now through VRO, in person, or by mail from the Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics (FL DOH-BVS) by following the instructions below for each ordering method. Before you begin the application process, be sure to review the costs, eligibility, requirements, and current processing times.


Person ordering a birth certificate with a phone using VRO

Ordering Online with VRO

Order online now through VRO with a simple two-step process:

  1. Complete the online application and upload your documents.
  2. Process your order.

Starting from

$29+ state fees

Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO

  • 5 minutes process
  • No waiting in lines
  • No handling paperwork or mail
  • Simplified application process
  • 24 hour service
  • Online assistance by specialists
  • Verification and error-checking
  • Order tracking
  • Online notary
  • Pay online by credit card
  • Remote processing time

Get Started Online


required documents

What Documents Are Required to Order
Birth Certificates in Florida?

All applicants must provide proof of identity with a valid primary (government-issued) ID to request certified copies of a Florida birth certificate. Review the table below for the list of required information and documents from the person on record or third-party requests, as stipulated by the FL DOH-BVS.


Primary ID Requirements Options

Secondary ID Requirements Options

Driver's License

Passport

State ID

US Military ID

Auto Insurance

Health Insurance Card

Matricula card

School ID

Tax Document or Mail with Current Address

Vehicle title or registration

Consular card

Employment ID

Foreign issued driver license

Identification card

How to Get a Florida Birth Certificate Without ID

If you do not have a valid primary ID, Florida will accept two (2) alternative forms of identification. Secondary forms of ID are only accepted if your primary ID is expired.

For those such as non-US citizens who do not possess aTo get a state of valid primary Florida birth certificate without a valid primary ID, you must provide three alternative forms of identification, including: a foreign-issued driver’s license, an identification card, a consular card or matricula card and two additional forms of identification, such as: vehicle title or registration, health insurance card, employment ID, school ID, tax document or mail with the current address



Cost & fees

What Are the Costs and Fees Associated with Replacing a Birth Certificate in Florida?

The total costs and fees to obtain a replacement Florida birth certificate depend on the ordering method. The FL DOH-BVS charges a $9.00 search fee for a computer-generated certified copy of a live birth record. The fee for a certified photocopy of the record is $14.00. Additional copies can be requested for $4.00 each during the same order. Additionally, the FL DOH-BVS charges a $1.00 shipping and handling fee on all orders.

Rush orders are available through the FL DOH-BVS for an additional $10.00.



State Fee

$14.00


Rush Processing

$10.00


Additional Copy

1 x $4.00

Processing time

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in Florida?

Processing and replacement times for Florida birth certificates may vary. Please refer to the chart below for the current delivery and processing timelines. You can speed up the document generation and application packet process by choosing expedited options when ordering through VRO.

All orders, including RUSH orders through the FL DOH-BVS, are mailed by Standard US Postal delivery unless you include a prepaid envelope for expedited shipping with your application.

Processing Time

3-5 business days

Rush Processing Time

2-3 business days



Authorization

Who is Authorized to Order a Florida Birth Certificate?

The person on record can request a certified copy of their birth certificate for themselves or their family. If you request a birth record on someone else's behalf, review the eligibility requirements, as births that occurred under 125 years ago are confidential and may only be issued to authorized individuals per Florida Statute Chapter 119 (Public Record Law).

The FL DOH-BVS lists individuals who can request a birth certificate, as shown below.

If your relationship to the individual on record does not qualify you as an eligible individual, you can still request the record, but you must also submit an Affidavit to Release a Birth Certificate, notarized and signed by the record-holder or an eligible individual.



Authorized People


  • Person on Record (18 years of age or over)
  • Parent listed on record
  • Legal guardian (must provide guardianship papers)
  • Legal representative of one of the above persons must provide documentation
  • By court order (must provide a copy of court order)
  • If the Person on Record is deceased it may be issued to the spouse, child, grandchild, or sibling if of legal age.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

The Florida Health Department does not require authorized applicants to prove their identity with a notarized application. However, some scenarios requiring a notary with your application may include:



Tracking

How to Track the Status of Your Birth Certificate
Replacement

After you submit your birth certificate application through VRO, you can track your order status through the support portal. While the FL DOH-BVS delivers birth certificates by USPS first-class mail, they are not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.

If you mail your application manually to the FL DOH-BVS, purchase first-class mail tracking to confirm its arrival at their office.


State VR Office Tracking

All orders are mailed Standard US Postal delivery unless a special prepaid express delivery envelope is provided.


VRO Tracking

VRO provides First-Class Mail Tracking with every online order.

Rush Processing is available as an Add-On for same-day Verification and Dispatching of your Application.

frequently asked questions

Other FAQs


  • How to Obtain a Florida Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

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    Individuals born on an overseas military base are not considered to have been born in Florida; therefore, there is no birth certificate on record with the state of Florida.

    If you were born overseas on a U.S. military base and your parents were U.S. citizens, your birth should be recorded with the U.S. Department of State. You must contact the U.S. Department of State to request a copy of your Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA or form FS-240).

    A consular report is different from a birth certificate. It serves as proof of U.S. citizenship for individuals born abroad to U.S. citizen parents who meet the requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This document is equivalent to a U.S. birth certificate and is recognized as valid proof of birth and citizenship. It can be used to obtain a passport or apply for social services.

    If you need additional copies, you can contact the hospital where the birth occurred to request a copy of the birth certificate or order copies from the Department of State. Learn more about CRBA.

  • Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My Florida Birth Certificate?

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    A Florida birth certificate offers details about a person's birth, including their legal name, place of birth, date of birth, and parents' names. These documents are universally recognized and accepted by government agencies and private businesses for various purposes, such as obtaining a driver's license or passport, enrolling in school, getting married, and participating in legal processes. Moreover, birth certificates can be invaluable for personal reasons like genealogy research.

    Birth certificates are often useful or required for:

    Applying for a driver's license

    Applying for a new passport

    Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

    Applying for Social Security benefits

    Claiming pension or insurance benefits

    Genealogy research

    Claiming family inheritance

    Applying for a new job

    Enrolling in school

    Enlisting in military

    Obtaining a marriage license


  • What Does a Florida Birth Certificate Look Like?

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    A government-issued birth certificate includes specific features to show the FL DOH-BVS issued it. Its appearance may vary depending on the year it was issued, with counties using unique colors and layouts based on FL DOH-BVS guidelines.

    A long-form (official) birth certificate is legally valid, while a short-form (informational) copy is typically for informational use only. Official birth certificates generally include features such as:

    Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

    Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

    Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

    Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

    State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

    Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

    Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

    Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.


    In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

    Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

    Name of the Physician who attended the labor.


    Real Florida Birth Certificate Example
  • How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Florida Birth Certificate

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    If you lose your birth certificate:

    1. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the FL DOH-BVS.

    a. For in-person applications: Present the completed, notarized application and required documents to a county health department during hours of operation.

    b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the FL DOH-BVS. at:

    Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics

    PO Box 210, 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042

    c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).

    2. The FL DOH-BVS. will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

  • How to Correct or Amend a Florida Birth Certificate

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    If there are errors on your Florida birth certificate, you can request a correction or amendment from the FL DOH-BVS. Corrections are added as amendments, and the original document cannot be altered. The requirements for requesting the changes depend on the information being amended.

    You may need to provide supporting documents to confirm the changes. Still, requests to correct or amend a Florida birth certificate often do not require supporting documentation if the changes are within the timeframes and guidelines given by the FL DOH-BVS.

    Typically, to amend, you will need:

    • A completed Florida Amendment Application, Form DH 429.
    • An Affidavit of Amendment to Certificate of Live Birth, Form DH 430 (must be notarized).
    • Payment for the $20.00 (nonrefundable) processing fee as a check or money order payable to Vital Statistics. A certificate of the amended record is included.
      • Additional copies: The first copy costs $9.00 (short form) or $14.00 (long form/photocopy), with additional copies costing $4.00 each when ordered simultaneously.
      • Rush processing: A $10.00 extra fee for expedited processing, reducing the processing time from 3-5 business days to 2-3 business days (does not include expedited shipping).
    • Submission: Send Forms DH 429 and DH 430 with supporting documents and payment to the FL DOH-BVS mailing address:

      Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
      PO Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042



    Some of the corrections requiring documentary evidence include:

    • Adding given names after the person on record’s 7th birthday
    • Correcting the name after the person of record’s 1st birthday
    • Changing the Year of Birth
    • Changes to the Place of Birth

    For the complete list of corrections requiring documentation, visit DOH’s Instructions on Form DH 660 for amending a live birth.

    Acceptable documents of proof for an amended birth record include:

    • Court Order
    • School Records
    • Medical Record
    • Social Security Application
    • Voter Registration Card and more

    Visit Florida’s Amendments and Corrections page for the complete list and more details.

  • How to Obtain an Apostille for a Florida Birth Certificate

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    You can order an apostille directly through the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, or online through VRO’s Express Apostille Service. Apostilles are often required when filing a Florida birth certificate with a foreign government as part of the 1961 Hague Convention.

    If you already possess a certified copy of your Florida birth certificate, you can forward it to the Florida Department of State for an Apostille/Notarial Certificate.

    Manual Apostille/Notarial Requests

    For manual Apostille/Notarial requests, you need to submit the following documents:

    1. An authorized copy of the original birth certificate with the current registrar's signature. (A computer-generated photocopy is not accepted.)
    2. A completed Apostille or Notarial Request Form.
    3. A self-addressed stamped envelope or prepaid air bill (with the requestor's name and address as both sender and recipient).
    4. Payment of $10.00 per document as a check or money order, payable to the Florida Department of State (Do not send cash).


    Simultaneous Requests for a Birth Certificate Replacement and Apostille/Notarial Certificate

    If you need to obtain a certified birth certificate and an Apostille/Notarial Certificate at the same time, follow this two-step process:

    Step 1: Request a Certified Birth Certificate

    Complete Form DH 726A and pay the required fees to obtain a certified copy of your Florida birth certificate from the Florida Department of Health – Bureau of Vital Statistics (FDOH-BVS):

    • $14.00 Certified Photocopy (Additional copies: $4.00 each)
    • $14.00 Search Fee
    • $1.00 Shipping and handling fee

    Step 2: Submit the Certified Copy to the Florida Department of State

    Once you receive your certified birth certificate, manually forward it with the following documents by mail to the Florida Department of State’s Division of Corporations or submit it in person at their office:

    1. A completed Apostille or Notarial Request Form.
    2. A self-addressed stamped envelope or prepaid air bill (with the requestor’s name and address as both sender and recipient).
    3. Payment of $10.00 per document as a check or money order, payable to the Florida Department of State (Do not send cash).


    You can submit the form and certified copy to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Section in person or by courier to the following addresses:

    Mailing address


    Walk-in or Express Mail and Courier Delivery: