Get Your Certified Florida Birth Certificate

A certified copy of a Florida birth certificate costs $9 through the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $4 each. Online orders through authorized providers may include convenience and processing fees. Florida has some of the lowest vital record fees in the country.

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Yes. You can order a Florida birth certificate online through the Florida Department of Health or authorized third-party providers. Online orders require a credit or debit card. You will need the full name on the certificate, date of birth, and place of birth in Florida.

Start now — order your Florida birth certificate online in just a few minutes.

Yes. Florida allows authorized individuals to request a birth certificate on someone else's behalf. Eligible requesters include the registrant (if 18 or older), a parent or legal guardian, a spouse, an adult child, the registrant's attorney, or a legal representative with a court order. Valid photo ID and proof of relationship are required. You may also authorize a representative through a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) to apply on your behalf through the Department of Health.

Need to order for a family member? Request a Florida birth certificate on their behalf.

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.

You may also need to order a Florida death certificate through our secure online service.

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.

Looking for a different document? Order a Florida marriage certificate through our secure online service.

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.

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:

Florida doesn’t actually use the "long form / short form" terminology you see in other states. The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics issues two versions of a birth record, differentiated by how the certificate is produced:

• Computer-Generated Certification of Birth — $9.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. This is the standard modern certified copy, computer-printed from the state’s electronic record. It is accepted for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, driver’s license applications, school enrollment, employment verification, and every other legal use. Normal processing is 3–5 business days.

This is the version 99% of applicants need.

• Photocopy-Generated Certificate of Live Birth — $14.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. This is a photographic reproduction of the original paper record. It takes longer to produce and is only needed in specific cases — for example, when a particular agency or court requires the image of the original document, or for older historical records that were not digitized.

Both versions are legal certified copies. For everyday purposes, choose the Computer-Generated Certification for the faster turnaround and lower fee. If you order through VitalRecordsOnline, we deliver the Computer-Generated Certification by default and can switch to Photocopy-Generated on request.

For context, older Florida records may also be subject to the state’s 125-year confidentiality rule — see the "Is a Florida Birth Certificate a Public Record" FAQ below for details.

Need another vital record? Get your Florida divorce certificate through our secure online service.

Processing times for a Florida birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Florida vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.

When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified Florida birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.

If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.

New to our service? Learn how our service works through our secure online service.

In Florida, the document you receive from the Bureau of Vital Statistics is officially titled a "Certification of Birth" (computer-generated) or a "Certificate of Live Birth" (photocopy). Both are the same legal document that is commonly called a "birth certificate" in everyday use. Florida Statute § 382 uses the "Certificate of Live Birth" term because the document is the state’s official registration that you were born alive in Florida.

Every certified Florida birth certificate — regardless of whether it’s labeled "Certification of Birth" or "Certificate of Live Birth" — is accepted for passport applications, REAL ID, Social Security, driver’s license applications, school enrollment, dual citizenship, and all other legal purposes. Federal agencies and other states accept the document without issue.

If a form specifically asks for a "Florida certificate of live birth," you can order either version — the computer-generated Certification of Birth at $9.00 is usually the right choice.

Yes — and for many Florida residents it’s the fastest way to get a certified copy. Florida is one of the few states where local County Health Departments (CHDs) can issue certified Florida birth certificates for any Florida-born person, often the same day on a walk-in basis.

Major county health departments offering this service include:

• Miami-Dade County Health Department (Miami) • Broward County Health Department (Fort Lauderdale) • Orange County Health Department (Orlando) • Hillsborough County Health Department (Tampa) • Duval County Health Department (Jacksonville) • Pinellas County Health Department (St. Petersburg) • Palm Beach County Health Department (West Palm Beach) • Lee County Health Department (Fort Myers) • Polk County Health Department (Lakeland) • Brevard County Health Department (Melbourne)

What you should know before you go:

• Standard state fees apply ($9 first computer-generated copy, $4 each additional). • You’ll need valid government-issued photo ID and proof of eligibility (you must be the registrant, parent, legal guardian, spouse, adult child/grandchild/sibling, or have a notarized Affidavit to Release). • Office hours, payment methods, and appointment requirements vary by county — call ahead or check your county health department’s website. • Walk-in service is generally same-day for routine requests; complex cases (amendments, missing data, very old records) may take longer.

If you can’t visit a county health department in person, VitalRecordsOnline handles the entire application online and routes it to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville on your behalf — no trip required.

We also offer Florida death certificate through our secure online service.

Florida birth records are not public records during the individual’s lifetime. Florida Statute § 382.025 — the strictest confidentiality rule of any U.S. state — keeps Florida birth records confidential for 125 years from the date of birth. By comparison, California releases birth records to the public after 100 years, New Jersey after 80 years, and Kansas after 65 years.

Eligible requesters during the confidentiality period include:

• The registrant (the person named on the certificate), if of legal age, a certified homeless youth, or a minor whose disabilities of nonage have been removed • A parent, legal guardian, or other legal representative of the registrant • Upon the registrant’s death: the spouse, an adult child, grandchild, or sibling, or their legal representatives • Law enforcement and government agencies acting in an official capacity • Anyone presenting a court order from a court of competent jurisdiction

Once a Florida birth record is more than 125 years old (and not under court seal), it becomes a public record — anyone can request a copy with a completed application and the standard $9 fee. This makes very old Florida records a valuable genealogy resource for descendants of early Florida pioneers, settlers, and immigrants.

Learn more about tangible interest vs. public access for vital records if you’re unsure whether you qualify to request a specific Florida birth certificate.

Yes, but Florida requires an extra step. If the person requesting the certificate is not on the eligible-requester list (registrant, parent, legal guardian, spouse, adult child, grandchild, sibling, or legal representative), they must submit a notarized Affidavit to Release a Florida Birth Certificate signed by an eligible requester.

What you need to submit with the application:

• Completed Application for Florida Birth Record (Form DH 726) • Notarized Affidavit to Release signed by the eligible requester (typically the registrant, a parent, or another qualifying family member) • Photocopy of valid government-issued photo ID for the person authorizing the release • Photocopy of valid government-issued photo ID for the applicant actually submitting the request • Any additional supporting documentation showing relationship or authorization (e.g., court order, power of attorney) • The standard $9.00 search/certification fee plus shipping

Common situations where this Affidavit applies: a friend, employer, attorney, or distant relative ordering on someone else’s behalf; an adoptive parent ordering an original birth record; a researcher requesting a record they’re not personally tied to. The Affidavit is also required for certain estate-administration scenarios when the executor is not a direct family member.

VitalRecordsOnline can advise on whether your situation needs an Affidavit before you submit. We’ll flag any missing documentation up front so the Bureau of Vital Statistics doesn’t reject the application and force you to start over.

Browse our Florida marriage certificate through our secure online service.

If you were born in Miami or anywhere in Florida, birth certificates are issued by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Florida maintains all birth records at the state level, not through individual city offices.

Options in Miami-Dade County:

Miami-Dade County residents can request birth certificates through the local health department office or by visiting a Florida Vital Statistics regional office. You'll need a valid photo ID and payment for the certificate fee.

Miami residents often need certified birth certificates for Real ID applications at the Florida DMV, cruise ship travel documentation, immigration proceedings, and school enrollment.

For the fastest option, order your Florida birth certificate online and have it delivered directly to your door.

Same-day birth certificate pickup in Florida is available at the Bureau of Vital Statistics office in Jacksonville. If you visit in person during business hours and your record is on file, you may receive a certified copy the same day.

What to Bring:

A valid government-issued photo ID and the applicable fee. If requesting someone else's record, you'll need proof of eligibility such as being a parent, legal guardian, or legal representative.

Important Notes:

Same-day service is only guaranteed at the Jacksonville state office. Some county health department offices may offer expedited service, but processing times vary. Florida birth records from 1917 to present are available; for older records, contact the county clerk where the birth occurred.

Prefer to skip the trip? Order your Florida birth certificate online for convenient home delivery.

Orlando and Orange County residents can obtain Florida birth certificates through the Orange County Health Department or by ordering from the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Orange County Health Department:

The Orlando-area office can assist with birth certificate requests for births that occurred in Orange County. For births in other Florida counties, you can still order through the state office or online.

Orlando-area residents frequently need birth certificates for theme park employment (Walt Disney World, Universal Studios), Real ID applications, and military base access at nearby installations.

The easiest way to order is to request your Florida birth certificate online through our secure service.