How to Order a Florida Birth Certificate

Florida's birth certificate is a computer certification that contains an embossed seal incorporated into the safety paper, which meet requirements established by Homeland Security and other national and international groups. Florida has been issuing computer certification since the mid 1980s, which is accepted by the U.S. Passport Office, the Social Security Administration, courts, school districts, and all other state and federal entities and cruise lines requiring proof of U.S. birth.

Ordering a birth certificate for your child to be presented to the French Consulate: If the mother was not married at the time of the child's birth but the father acknowledged paternity, the French Consulate requires that the certification of birth also contain the Paternity Affidavit. To ensure you also receive this document, you must order a photocopy (book copy) and specifically state that it must include the Paternity Affidavit.

*ORDERING* *INFORMATION:*	Please provide either a signed letter of request, or an application, with the following information and appropriate fee. Applications are accepted in person or by mail at the State Bureau of Vital Statistics, or by phone at (877)550-7330. All signed letters of request, or applications must include a copy of a valid current PICTURE ID (Driver's License, State Identification Card, Passport, and/or Military Identification Card) of the APPLICANT. DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. For example: If you are requesting your child's certificate, include a copy of your own ID since you are the applicant. Enlarge the copy and lighten it as much as possible to ensure it is clear and readable when sent to the State Bureau of Vital Statistics. Signature and relationship/eligibility must be stated. If legal guardian, please include notarized guardianship documents.
Some years of Florida birth certificates DO NOT indicate City of Birth and therefore may not be acceptable documentation in obtaining a passport from certain countries. Please check with the country's consulate for passport requirements.
*Step 1*	Determine your eligibility (relationship) to receive a birth certificate
	You must meet one (1) of the following criteria:
	Be the child named on the certificate AND 18 years of age or older.
	Be the parent, guardian or legal representative of the person named on the certificate, or
	Have a court order. Additional birth certificate eligibility information
	If the person was not born in Florida please see Outside of Florida - Where to write for vital records

*Step 2*	Provide information about the child named on the certificate

	Full name of child at birth and any subsequent legal name changes
	Date of birth
	City or county of birth
	Mother's full name including her maiden surname
	Father's full name (if his name is on the record)

*Step 3*	Provide information about the person ordering the certificate

	Full name
	Relationship to person named on the certificate (father, mother, self, etc.)
	Mailing address (include city, state and zip code)
	Phone number where you can be reached during business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm Eastern Time)
	Signature of applicant
	All letters or applications must include a copy of a valid current PICTURE ID (Driver's License, State Identification Card, Passport, and/or Military Identification Card) of the applicant. For example, if you are requesting your child's certificate, include a copy of your own ID since you are the applicant. Enlarge the copy and lighten it as much as possible to ensure it is clear and readable when sent to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. If legal guardian, please include notarized guardianship documents.

Step 4

Type of birth certificate

type of certificate	description	state office fees
computer certification	Computer generated certification with the embossed Seal of Florida. Accepted by all state and federal agencies as legal proof of birth and citizenship. Available from 1917 to present.	$9.00

Certificates Prior to 1917	If the birth occurred prior to 1917, only photocopies are available. Records are available from 1865 to present but are limited for years 1865 - 1916. However, when ordering a birth record prior to 1917, select "Computer Copy for $9.00" on the application. Do not select "photocopy". You will be provided with a photocopy at the reduced fee of $9.00.	$9.00

photocopy certification	A certification of the registered birth on file.	$14.00

additional copies	Additional copies of the above certificates when ordered at the same time.	$4.00 ea.

Commemorative Certification	Signed by the current Governor and certified by the State Registrar.	$34.00

Apostille/Exemplified Certification	Requested by Foreign Governments, signed by Secretary of State and State Registrar. Prior issued certifications cannot be used. Must include two separate checks. One for $29 payable to Vital Statistics, another for $10 payable to Secretary of State. Credit cards cannot be accepted for apostille orders.	$39.00

Step 5

Select delivery method

Note: The Vital Statistics processing time does not include postal transit time to and from our office. We cannot predict how long the mail/courier will take.

delivery method	description	addl. cost	Vital Statistics processing time (in business days)
Standard	Normal delivery option (included with certificate purchase). Certificates sent via U.S. mail. Computer copy Photocopy	$0.00	3 - 4 Business days 10 Business days (approximately)

Rush	Rush deliveries are processed first. Please mark request RUSH. Certificates sent via U.S. Mail unless a pre-paid express delivery envelope is provided.	$10.00	Computer Copy 1 - 2 Business days Photo Copy Processed before the normal processing time

Express	Express service is available only if a pre-paid express delivery envelope has been provided and the $10.00 RUSH Fee is paid. A signature is required upon delivery.	$10 Rush Fee Plus a pre-paid express delivery envelope.	1-2 Business days

Step 6

Determine your method of payment

Request submitted...

Type of payment accepted

By Mail

Please make your Check or Money Order payable to Vital Statistics. Requires a copy of a valid current photo ID. (Driver's License, State Identification Card, Passport, and/or Military Identification Card)

Please DO NOT send cash.

Credit Card Express Service.

Phone 1 (877)550-7330 fastest service
By Fax 1(877)550-7428
Credit cards accepted (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover). If payment is made by credit card an additional $17 will be added to your order. This is a $10 rush and $7 VitalChek Service fee. VitalChek is a private company that offers this credit card service, if desired by the client. The VitalChek network is not affiliated with the state of Florida. Vital Statistics does not accept credit cards.

In person at the Bureau of Vital Statistics

Cash, checks, money orders and Visa or MasterCard are accepted.

Step 7

Mail, phone, walk-in or fax request and payment to the Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Mailing address Birth Order form PDF format requires Adobe Acrobat Reader	Bureau of Vital Statistics Attn: Customer Services P.O. Box 210 Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042

In person address	Bureau of Vital Statistics 1217 Pearl St. Jacksonville, FL 32202 (lobby hours: M-F 8:00- 4:30 Eastern Time)

Phone	(904) 359-6900 extension 9000 M-F 8:00 - 5:00 Eastern Time Credit card orders will be accepted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the VitalChek network at: 1-(877)-550-7330 (automated voice system. An additional $10 rush fee and $7 VitalChek fee is required.

FAX Birth Order form PDF format requires Adobe Acrobat Reader	If ordering by fax, an additional $10 rush fee and $7 VitalChek fee is required. Allow 2-3 days for processing. VitalChek network fax: 1 (877) 550-7428 VitalChek network phone: 1 (877) 550-7330 NOTE: Certifications of birth cannot be faxed.

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

Email any questions you have to VitalStats@doh.state.fl.us

Privacy Statement * Disclaimer
Accessibility Information * Email Advisory