State of Florida Vital Records
Original Florida Department of Health Building located in Jacksonville
Vital Statistics consists of official records
for birth, death, fetal death, marriage, and dissolution of marriage (divorce).
These records are essential for just administration of our law and for the
protection of individual rights. In addition, the statistical data from these
records are of great value to public health and other agencies. The need for accurate statistical
data on epidemics and the causes of death was instrumental in establishing our
present day vital statistics registration system. Before 1899, some cities
enacted city ordinances requiring the recording of vital events and provided
their own system for vital statistics. The City of Key West has the oldest
known records, dating back to 1865. While we have some birth records
dating back to 1865 and death records dating back to 1877, the law requiring the
centralized registration of these events did not pass until 1917 and it was many
years after before we had consistent registration. A law was enacted in
1927 providing for the centralization of marriage and divorce records. Currently, the
Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains approximately 21.5 million vital records.
Certifications/certified copies of vital records are available for these events;
Birth, Death, Fetal Death, Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce).
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