Birth Records   Restrictions Commemorative Birth Certificates Records Available Birth resulting in Stillbirth How to Obtain a Birth Certificate Fathers have rights too Fees Adoption Registry Amendments Apostille Birth Certificates Restrictions  By Florida law, birth certificates are confidential records with restricted access for 100 years from the date of birth.  They may be obtained by the following persons, upon valid identification and payment of the proper fee: ·         person named on the certificate (registrant), if of legal age (18) ·         mother or father ·         guardian or legal representative of one of the individual named above with proper documentation or by court order ·         if registrant is deceased, upon receipt of death certificate of the decedent, it can be obtained by the spouse, child, grandchild, sibling, if of            legal age, or to a legal representative of any of these persons, as well as, to the parents. ·         100 years following the date of birth, the birth certificate becomes public record and anyone may obtain a copy of the Birth Certificate. If you are eligible to receive the birth certificate, you may use this form to name another person to receive the birth certificate for you: Affidavit to Release Birth Certification ( English )   Records Available  The Lee County Health Department Vital Statistics Office is able to provide a certified copy of a birth certificate for any birth in the State of Florida.   How to Obtain a Birth Certificate ·    In Person:   You may go to the Lee County Health Department Vital Statistics Office.                                  Most certificates can be issued while you wait.  The Vital Statistics office can issue a certified copy of any Florida birth certificate. ·     By Mail:      Download a Mail-in Application ( English  /  Spanish ).                                 Send the application, valid proof of identification, self-addressed postage-paid envelope, and appropriate fee to:     LCHD Vital Statistics 83 Pondella Road North Fort Myers, FL 33903 ·     Online:        You may order certificates through a service provider called VitalChek,.                                  Note that there is an additional fee for using this service. ·     By Phone:   You may order certificates through a service provider called VitalChek, by calling 1-800-255-2414.                                    Note that there is an additional fee for using this service    Fees ·         In Person:   $12.00 for the first copy, $8.00 for each additional copy                          Only cash or credit card accepted ·         By Mail:      $12.00 for the first copy, $8.00 for each additional copy                          Only business check or money order accepted, made payable to “LCHD” ·         Online:        $17.00 for the first copy, $8.00 for each additional copy                          Pay by credit card using our service provider VitalChek, .                          Note that there is an additional fee for using this service. ·         By Phone:   $17.00 for the first copy, $8.00 for each additional copy                           Pay by credit card using our service provider VitalChek,.                           Note that there is an additional fee for using this service.   Questions If you have questions, please call (239) 332-9572 Amendments If the birth record contains errors, it may be possible to correct the record. Depending on the type of correction and the age of the registrant, documentary evidence may be required to support the correction. •If the correction is to the name of a minor child, the signatures of both parents, if listed on the original birth record, are required. A non-refundable fee of $20.00 which includes one certification of the record is required by Florida law. Form Instructions (.pdf / 46kb) Amend a Birth Record - English (.pdf / 1.1mb) Amend a Birth Record - Spanish (.pdf / 1.2mb) Amend a Birth Record - Creole (.pdf / 1.1mb) English Affadavit (.pdf / 350kb)  > Commemorative Certificates (issued only by the Florida State Vital Statistics Office) A personalized, legal, certified record of either a birth or marriage issued by the State of Florida. Either of these are important events in the history of any family.  It is an occasion you want to remember. These Certificates include: A signature by the current Governor Certification by the State Registrar   Calligraphy style printing Gold embossed State Seal   Suitable size for matting and framing Mailing encased in cardboard shield to ensure protection   **Actual size is 8 1/2 X 11 inches

Katherine’s Law (Birth resulting in stillbirth) In 2006, Florida's governor signed into law legislation that allows for the issuance of a certification for a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth. This law, section 382.0085, Florida Statutes, is known as Katherine's Law. Florida is the 14th state to implement such a law.   The Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth is not proof of live birth and may not be used to establish identity. Gestation must be 20 weeks or more, and there must be a fetal death certificate on file with the Florida Office of Vital Statistics in order for a stillbirth certificate to be prepared. The information included on the stillbirth certificate comes from the fetal death certificate.   Issuance is from the State Office of Vital Statistics only; county offices cannot issue this certificate.  An informational brochure is available for the funeral director, physician, medical examiner, hospital,  and parents. For questions, families should be referred to Kevin Wright at the state office, (904) 359-6900 ext 1004.