The Office of Vital Statistics is responsible for the recording and issuance of certified copies of Birth and Death Certificates.

To protect the privacy of sensitive information and to prevent identify theft, birth certificates are not public records and the cause of death on a death certificate is not public record. As required by state law, we restrict access to these certificates, but they are readily available to the individuals, family members and guardians or beneficiaries. We require requesting individuals to produce photo identification and/or other documentation before releasing these confidential records or portions of the records.

There are fees associated with obtaining these records. Please see the appropriate areas below for the associated costs.

Death Certificates

Currently, our office can only provide death certificates for deaths that occurred in Marion County, between the years 2009 and today. All other Florida death certificates for other years can be requested from the State Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.

Who can obtain a certified copy of a death certificate?

Without the cause of death listed:

• Anyone may request a copy of a death certificate without the cause of death showing on the certificate

With the cause of death listed:

• To obtain a copy of a death certificate with the cause of death showing on the certificate, you have to be a member of the immediate family. This includes a spouse or parent; child; grandchild, or sibling if of legal age.; or
• Beneficiary of a deceased person's life insurance policy (must provide documentation); or
• Estate administrator (must provide documentation).

Birth Certificates

The majority of the times, copies of birth certificates are requested for identification, to prove citizenship and for other purposes. The State Office of Vital Statistics, located at 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL, maintains the original copies of the birth records from all counties within the State of Florida. Marion CHD provides you with a certified certificate that you can legally keep and use.

As stated before, Marion County Health Department, Office of Vital Statistics, can access birth records for anyone born within the State of Florida from 1930 to the present. All others prior to 1930 would need to be requested from the State Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.

Who can obtain a copy of a birth certificate?

• Individuals 18 years of age and older may obtain their own certificate.
• Parents or guardians (who present court documents showing legal custody).
• Attorneys representing children and adolescents under 18. (Documentation must also be provided).

What Information is needed for birth/death certificates?

• A valid form of photo identification such as a driver?s license, State ID issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, passport or military ID. For mailed request, please provide readable photocopies.
• A completed Certificate Application Form
• You will also need to provide the person?s:  

   Full name
   Date of birth / date of death
   County of birth
   Mother?s full name including maiden name (for birth certificates)
   Father?s full name (if applicable on birth certificates)

How soon may I expect a copy?

• Your request will be processed within 5 to 7 business days from the day it is received from you by mail.
• Your request will be processed immediately if you come to our office in person.

What is the cost to obtain a Birth or Death Certificate?

• Birth Certificates
  $13.00 for one certified copy
  $7.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time as the original request and on the same person.
  $3.00 for each document protector.

• Death Certificates
  $8.00 for each certified copy
  $3.00 for each document protector

• We accept cash, checks, money orders and credit cards (Visa or MasterCard only). Do NOT send cash by mail.

• For additional information please contact us at the number below.

How to obtain a copy of a Birth or Death Certificate?

• Visit our main office at 1801 SE 32 Avenue Ocala, FL. We are open from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday thru Friday.
   
• Mail a request to: 

  Office of Vital Statistics
  Marion County Health Department
  P.O. Box 2408
  Ocala, FL 34478

• On the Internet at www.vitalcheck.com.

• Phone number: (352) 629-0137
   
• Certificates Application Forms