Florida Vital Records: The Complete 2025 Guide

Florida has some of the lowest vital records fees in the country — $9 for a birth certificate, $10 for a death certificate — and one of the most functional state online ordering portals. This guide covers the exact forms, the county health department shortcut for same-day service, Florida's unique 90-day birth certificate restriction, and every ordering option.

Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics: The State Office

Birth Certificates in Florida

Florida's 90-Day Restriction: A Critical Detail

Florida has an unusual restriction that catches many people off guard: birth records less than 90 days old are not yet publicly accessible — even to parents. Records within the first 90 days of the birth are handled through the birth registrar at the hospital where the birth occurred. If you need a certified birth certificate for a very recent birth (under 90 days), contact the hospital's birth registration department directly rather than the state office.

After 90 days, the record transfers to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics and standard requests apply.

Forms: DH-680

Florida birth certificate requests use form DH-680 ("Application for Certification of Vital Statistics — Birth"). Download from floridahealth.gov. The DH-680 requires:

• Full name at birth
• Date of birth
• County of birth in Florida
• Father's full name as listed on the record
• Mother's full maiden name
• Your name, address, phone, and relationship to registrant
• Number of copies requested
• Photocopy of valid government-issued photo ID

Who Can Request a Florida Birth Certificate

Florida restricts certified birth certificates to:

• The registrant (if 18 or older)
• Parent or legal guardian listed on the record
• Spouse, child, grandchild, or sibling of the registrant
• Legal representative with proper documentation
• Government agencies for official use

Births older than 100 years are publicly accessible in Florida — anyone may request them.

Ordering Options

Florida County Health Department Offices

Each Florida county has a County Health Department that holds vital records for births and deaths registered in that county. Walk-in service is the fastest option — bring the completed form, ID copy, and payment.

Death Certificates in Florida

Form DH-681 and the Fee Structure

Florida death certificate requests use form DH-681 ("Application for Certification of Vital Statistics — Death"). Same submission process as births — state office by mail, county health department in person, or the online portal.

Florida's death certificate fee structure is one of the most favorable in the country:

• First copy: $10
• Each additional copy ordered at the same time: $5
• 10 additional copies = $50 extra (total: $60 for 11 copies)

For a typical Florida estate involving real property (Florida has significant real estate), 12–18 certified copies is a reasonable target. Property deeds, homestead exemption documents, and HOA records may all require separate certified originals.

Florida Death Certificate Eligibility

Deaths within the last 50 years are restricted to:

• Surviving spouse or domestic partner
• Parent or child of the deceased
• Sibling, grandparent, or grandchild
• Legal representative of the estate
• Government agencies with official need

Deaths more than 50 years old are public record in Florida — anyone may request them.

Marriage Certificates in Florida

Florida marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the license was obtained. The Clerk of Court (not the health department) holds marriage records.

Form: DH-682 — but this is only for state-level marriage verification letters. For a certified copy of the actual marriage license/certificate, contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court directly in the issuing county.

Fees vary by county but are typically $3–10 per certified copy. Major clerks of court:

• Miami-Dade Clerk: 73 W. Flagler St., Miami — 305-275-1155
• Broward County Clerk: 201 SE 6th St., Fort Lauderdale — 954-831-5745
• Orange County Clerk: 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando — 407-836-2060
• Hillsborough County Clerk: 800 E. Twiggs St., Tampa — 813-276-8100

Divorce Records in Florida

Divorce decrees are held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was filed. FDOH maintains a divorce index but not the full decree. Contact the county Circuit Court clerk directly. Fee: typically $1 per page plus a certification fee of approximately $2.

Born in Florida But Can't Find Your Record?

Florida's statewide registration became consistent around 1935. For births before that date, especially in rural counties, the record may exist only at the county level or may not have been registered at all. Try:

1. Request a search of the county birth index for the county of birth
2. Search the Florida State Archives (dos.myflorida.com/library-archives) for pre-1935 records
3. FamilySearch.org has Florida birth records indexed for many early years
4. If no record exists: Florida delayed registration through the Bureau of Vital Statistics (form DH-680 with "delayed registration" notation)