Obtaining a birth certificate is a vital step for many life events, from enrolling in school and applying for a passport to accessing government services and proving your identity. If you were born in Florida, the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics is the official source for obtaining your birth certificate. This guide will walk you through the process of getting your birth certificate, whether you prefer to apply in person or by mail.
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics provides services to obtain certified copies of Florida birth records through both walk-in and mail-in options. For those who prefer immediate assistance, the walk-in service center is located at 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The lobby is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., offering a convenient option for residents of Jacksonville and surrounding areas. When visiting in person, you have the flexibility to pay using cash, check, money order, Visa, or Mastercard. This in-person service is particularly useful if you need your birth certificate urgently, although same-day service for photocopy certificates may incur a rush fee and depends on availability.
For those who cannot visit the Jacksonville office or prefer to apply from home, the mail-in service is a reliable alternative. To apply by mail, you will need to send your completed application, payment, and a copy of your photo identification to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, Fl 32231-0042. While this method may take longer than applying in person, it offers convenience and accessibility regardless of your location. The normal processing time for computer-generated birth certificates via mail is approximately 3 to 5 business days, excluding shipping time. Keep in mind that photocopy certificates and amended records require additional processing time.
To ensure your application is processed smoothly, you will need to complete the “Application for a Florida Birth Record” form, which is available for download in both English and Spanish on the Bureau’s website. If you are unable to access these forms, you can submit your request in writing, but you must include specific essential information. This information is crucial for the Bureau to locate your birth record and includes:
- Full name on birth record: Provide the complete name as it appeared on the birth certificate.
- Sex: Indicate the sex of the person named on the birth record.
- Date of birth: The exact date of birth is crucial. If the exact date is unknown, you can specify a range of years for the search, but be aware that there’s an additional $2.00 fee per calendar year for searches with unknown dates.
- City or County of birth: Specify the city or county in Florida where the birth occurred.
- Parent(s) full name(s) prior to first marriage: Include the full names of both parents as they were before their first marriage.
In addition to information about the person named on the birth certificate, you must provide details about yourself, the applicant:
- Full Name: Your complete legal name.
- Relationship to person named on record: State your relationship to the person whose birth certificate you are requesting (e.g., self, parent, legal guardian, etc.).
- Mailing address: Your current postal address where the birth certificate should be mailed.
- Phone number: A contact phone number in case the Bureau needs to reach you with questions.
- Signature of Applicant: Your signature to validate the application.
You also need to specify the Type of Certificate you require:
- Computer-generated birth certificate: This is printed on security paper with the Florida embossed seal and is accepted by all state and federal agencies. This is the standard and most commonly requested type.
- Photocopy generated certificate: This is a photocopy of the original birth certificate, also printed on security paper with the Florida embossed seal. Photocopy certificates are manually produced, which means they require additional processing time and cost more.
Understanding the Fees associated with obtaining a birth certificate is important. A non-refundable $9.00 search fee is included in all orders. Beyond this search fee, the costs are as follows:
| Certificate Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| First computer-generated certification | $9.00 |
| Additional computer-generated certification | $4.00 |
| First photocopy certificate | $14.00 |
| Additional photocopy certificate | $4.00 |
| Rush fee (for walk-in same day photocopy service) | $10.00 |
| Shipping and Handling Fee | $1.00 |
Payment should be made via check or money order payable to “Vital Statistics.” Do not send cash through the mail. International payments must be in the form of a Cashier’s Check or Money Order in U.S. Dollars drawn upon a U.S. Bank. Be aware that Florida Law imposes a $15.00 service charge for dishonored checks. Fees are generally nonrefundable, except for fees paid for additional copies if no record is found, which are refunded upon written request.
Finally, remember to include a copy of your valid Photo Identification with your application. Acceptable forms of identification include a Driver’s License, State Identification Card, Passport, or Military Identification Card.
For urgent requests, the Bureau offers Rush orders. To expedite your mail-in application, mark the outside of your envelope “RUSH” and include an additional $10 rush fee. While rush orders receive priority processing, all orders, including rush orders, are mailed via Standard U.S. Postal delivery unless you provide a special prepaid delivery envelope.
Whether you choose to visit the walk-in center or apply by mail, ensure you provide all required information accurately and include the necessary fees and identification. Obtaining your Florida birth certificate is a straightforward process when you are prepared with the correct information and follow these guidelines provided by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.
