Ethan Rhodes
In Florida, birth certificates are not issued by hospitals but by the Florida Department of Health. The Department of Health in Hillsborough County, for example, issues commemorative birth certificates signed by the current Governor and State Registrar of Vital Statistics. These certificates are not intended as proof of birth but rather as family heirlooms. To obtain a birth certificate as proof of birth, one must contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics or their local county health department.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do hospitals automatically give birth certificates in Florida? | No, you need to request a birth certificate from the county you were born in, not the hospital. |
| How to request a birth certificate in Florida? | You can request a birth certificate by phone, mail, or walk-in. |
| Phone | Call VitalChek at 1-877-297-9125. All major credit cards are accepted. |
| Mail-in address | Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042 |
| Walk-in address | 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 |
| Lobby hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Payment methods | Cash, check, money order, Visa, and Mastercard. International payments must be made by Cashier's Check or Money Order in US dollars drawn upon a US bank. |
| Processing time | 3 to 5 business days for computer-generated birth certificates, excluding shipping time. Photocopy-generated certificates and amended records require additional processing time. |
| Rush orders | An additional $10 fee is required and they will be processed the same day if the request is received before noon. |
| Fees | A $9.00 search fee is included in all orders and is non-refundable. An additional service charge of $15.00 is imposed for dishonored checks. |
| Required documents | Applicant's valid photo identification, such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. |
| Commemorative certificates | The State of Florida issues commemorative birth certificates, signed by the current Governor and State Registrar of Vital Statistics. These certificates are not intended as proof of birth. |
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What You'll Learn
Birth certificates are provided by the state, not hospitals
In Florida, birth certificates are provided by the state, not hospitals. The Florida Department of Health and its Bureau of Vital Statistics are responsible for issuing birth certificates. These certificates are official government documents.
To obtain a birth certificate in Florida, individuals typically need to submit a request to the Florida Department of Health or the local county health department. This can be done through various methods, including mail-in, walk-in, or online applications. The application process may vary depending on the county. For example, the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County offers multiple options for ordering birth certificates, such as online through VitalChek or by phone.
The application must be accompanied by the required documentation and fees. The standard processing time for computer-generated birth certificates is 3 to 5 business days, excluding shipping time. Applicants may also opt for rush orders, which incur an additional fee and receive priority processing.
It's important to note that birth certificates in Florida are not automatically provided by hospitals at the time of birth. Instead, individuals or their authorized representatives must proactively request and obtain birth certificates from the appropriate state or county health department.
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Commemorative certificates are not proof of birth
Commemorative birth certificates are not proof of birth in Florida. While they are issued by the State of Florida and signed by the current Governor and State Registrar of Vital Statistics, they are intended as keepsakes to be framed and preserved as family heirlooms. These certificates are printed in a calligraphy style and feature gold-embossed state seals. They are not valid forms of identification.
To obtain a valid birth certificate in Florida, you must submit a request to the Florida Department of Health or the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Requests can be made by mail or in person at a local county health department. The normal processing time for computer-generated birth certificates is 3 to 5 business days, excluding shipping time. Photocopy-generated certificates and amended records require additional processing time. Rush orders are available for an additional $10 fee.
When submitting a request, valid photo identification is required, such as a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. The request must also include the date of birth and the full names of the parents prior to their first marriage. A search fee of $9 is included in all orders and is non-refundable. International payments must be made by cashier's check or money order in US dollars, and Florida law imposes an additional $15 service charge for dishonored checks.
It is important to note that birth certificates in Florida are considered government documents. Therefore, any person who provides false information or obtains confidential information from any Vital Record for false or fraudulent purposes commits a felony punishable under Florida law.
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Applicants must be the child on the certificate or their parent/guardian
In Florida, birth certificates are government documents, and you must request a copy from the county you were born in, not the hospital.
If you are the child on the certificate, you must provide a valid form of photo identification, such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. All identification must be valid and cannot be expired. If you are the parent or guardian of the child on the certificate, you must also provide valid photo identification, along with any supporting documentation and a copy of the child's identification.
You can order birth certificates by phone, mail, or online through VitalChek, the only third-party service recommended by the Florida Department of Health. All major credit cards are accepted, except for personal checks. You may also walk in to your local county health department to request a birth certificate. The normal processing time for computer-generated birth certificates is 3 to 5 business days, not including shipping time. Rush orders are given priority processing and require an additional fee.
If the applicant is not the child or parent/guardian, the application must be accompanied by a notarized Affidavit to Release a Birth Certificate, signed by the child or their parent/guardian, along with any supporting documentation and a copy of valid photo ID for both parties.
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Requests must include a copy of the applicant's photo ID
In Florida, birth certificates are government documents. Requests for birth certificates must be made to the county where the birth took place, not the hospital. Requests must include a copy of the applicant's photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. The ID must be valid and cannot be expired.
If the applicant is not the person named on the certificate, the request must be accompanied by a notarized Affidavit to Release a Birth Certificate (DH Form 1958), signed by the person named on the certificate, along with any supporting documentation and a copy of their valid photo ID.
The Florida Department of Health provides application forms for birth certificates, which can be downloaded and completed in advance. Requests can be made by mail or in person at the local county health department. The normal processing time for computer-generated birth certificates is 3 to 5 business days, not including shipping time. Photocopy-generated certificates and amended records require additional processing time. Rush orders are given priority processing and require an additional fee.
For births that occurred before 1917, records may be obtained from the State Office of Vital Statistics. However, it is important to note that birth registration was not required by state law until 1917, and limited births were recorded between 1850 and 1917. Commemorative birth certificates, which are not intended as proof of birth, can also be obtained from the State Office of Vital Statistics.
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Processing time is 3-5 business days, excluding shipping
In Florida, birth certificates are not automatically provided by hospitals. They must be requested from the Florida Department of Health.
The processing time for a computer-generated birth certificate is 3-5 business days, excluding shipping time. If you require a photocopy-generated certificate, additional processing time will be needed. Rush orders are given priority processing and can be requested for an additional $10 fee.
To request a birth certificate, you can submit a request form or write a letter including the necessary information. You will need to provide a copy of your identification, payment, and any supporting documentation. The information required about the person named on the certificate includes their full name, date of birth, and parent's full names prior to the first marriage.
You can also order birth certificates by phone or online through VitalChek, the only third-party service recommended by the Florida Department of Health. VitalChek accepts all major credit cards and processes requests the same day they are received. However, fees charged by VitalChek may differ from those when ordering directly through your local health department office.
For births that occurred between 1917 and the present, you can mail-in or walk-in to a local county health department to request a birth certificate. The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County provides the address for mail-in requests and the Bureau of Vital Statistics address for walk-in requests.
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Frequently asked questions
No, birth certificates are government documents and must be requested from the county you were born in.
You can request a birth certificate by mail, phone, or in person. To request a birth certificate by mail, send your request to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. You can also request a birth certificate by phone with a credit card by calling VitalChek at 1-877-297-9125. Finally, you can request a birth certificate in person by visiting your local county health department.
You will need to provide valid photo identification, such as a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. You will also need to provide information about the person named on the certificate, including their full name, date of birth, and parent's full names prior to the first marriage.
Yes, there is a $9.00 search fee included in all orders, as well as additional fees for rush orders and photocopy certificates. International payments must be made by cashier's check or money order in U.S. dollars, and there is a $15.00 service charge for dishonored checks.
Normal processing time for computer-generated birth certificates is 3 to 5 business days, not including shipping time. Photocopy-generated certificates and amended records require additional processing time. Rush orders are given priority processing and are placed in the mail the same or next business day, depending on the time of receipt.
