Get your certified Florida Birth Certificate

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

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.

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:

Other FAQs

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

  

  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?

  

  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?

  

  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.

  
  

  

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Florida Birth Certificate

  

  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

  

  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

  

  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: