Florida Vital Records

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Apostille

What is an apostille?

If you’re requesting Florida vital records, you may require an apostille, a certification that verifies the authenticity of a document. It’s often used when documents need to be filed with a foreign government, as it assures that the document is legitimate.

How can I get an apostille for a vital record?

You can order an apostille directly through the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, which issues apostilles, or online through VRO’s Express Apostille Service. Apostilles are often required when filing a Florida birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificate with a foreign government as part of the 1961 Hague Convention.

If you already possess a certified copy of your Florida long form birth certificate and the copy is less than 10 years, you can forward it to the Florida Department of State for an Apostille/Notarial Certificate.

For manual Apostille/Notarial requests, you need to submit the following documents:

1. An authorized copy of the original birth certificate (photocopies are not accepted).
2. Completed Apostille Request Form.
3. Self-addressed stamped envelope or pre-paid air bill (with requestor’s name and address as both sender and recipient).
4. A payment (check or money order payable to the) of $10.00 per document, payable to the Florida Department of State (Do not send cash), or $20.00 per document for documents certified by any Clerk of the Court for any county in Florida.

For simultaneous requests to obtain a birth certificate replacement and an Apostille/Notarial, you need to complete a two-step process:

1. Complete the form DH726A and pay fees to obtain a certified copy of your Florida Birth Certificate from the FDOH-BVS.
   1. $14.00 Certified Photocopy. (Additional copies $4.00 each).
   2. $1.00 shipping and handling fee.
2. Manually forward the certified copy with the following items by mail to the Florida Department of State’s Division of Corporations, or present it in person at the physical office to receive your Apostille/Notarial Certificate.
   1. Completed Apostille Request Form
   2. Self-addressed stamped envelope, OR pre-paid air bill (with requestor’s name and address as both sender and recipient)
   3. A payment (check or money order payable to the) of $10.00 per document, payable to the Florida Department of State (Do not send cash).

You can submit the form and certified copy to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Section in person or by courier at the following addresses:

Corrections and Amendments

How can I correct or amend Florida vital records?

You can correct or amend FL vital records by filing a petition in the county’s circuit court where you were born or where your adoption papers were filed (if adopted). The court will then schedule a hearing and notify all parties named in the record. It’s important to note that certain countries may have specific requirements for apostilles, so it’s ideal to do thorough research beforehand. Contacting the nearest consulate or embassy for the country where the apostille or notarial certificate will be used can help ensure that all requirements are met for the vital record certificate. The requirements for requesting the changes or amendments to Florida vital records vary depending on which vital record needs changing.

Typically, requests to correct or amend vital records will require:

1. A completed amendment application
2. Supporting documentation
3. Appropriate fee(s) Learn more about correcting or amending birth, death, and marriage certificates.

Searching Public Records

Are FL vital records open to the public?

Most state records are public in Florida. The access, however, will depend on the types of records you’re looking for and the year when the birth, death, or marriage occurred. Some third-party websites make it easy to research specific types of vital records. Generally speaking, these sites are not limited based on geographical availability and can be a reference point when researching Florida’s vital records. However, the data on these third-party sites may differ from official government reports. To find a record on a third-party website, the person requesting must provide the following: • The location of the record you’re looking for, including the city, county, or state where it was recorded. • The name of the person on record, if they’re not a minor. Floridians have the right under the Florida Statute Chapter 119 (Public Record Law) to inspect or obtain copies of public vital records.

Where can I search for free public vital records?

You can freely search public Florida vital records through the Florida Department of Health. Numerous websites also provide access to historic vital records. However, many websites may charge a fee for providing Florida vital records online. It’s important to note that these sites may not be official government websites, and significant fees could be associated with accessing their databases.

How can I verify that my FL vital records are official?

Each state, county, and municipality creates unique vital record formats. Depending on which entity issued your birth, death, or marriage certificate, you can examine their appearance to ensure you have an authentic certified copy.

What are the differences between authorized copies of Florida vital records versus informational copies?

The difference between an authorized (certified) vital record and an informational copy is that an authorized record is the original, whereas an informational copy of a vital record is not. An authorized (certified) copy can be used for most legal purposes, with few exceptions.

Authorized Copy:

Authorized (certified) copies constitute legal documents that can be used for official identification, while parties cannot use informational copies to establish identity. As a result, certified copies of vital records are only issued to individuals with a “direct and tangible interest” in the document. A notarized statement may be required to obtain an authorized copy of Florida vital records to acknowledge your legal right to request a certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate. The notarized sworn statement attests to eligibility to request the authorized copy (declaring under penalty of perjury that you are entitled by law to receive an authorized copy). Without the notarized Sworn Statement, the request for FL vital records will be rejected as incomplete and returned to you without processing, leading to further delays.

Informational Copy:

An informational copy is not official and can be used for personal purposes but not for legal or official purposes, such as proving age or citizenship. Find more references regarding birth, death, and marriage certificates in the resources section.