How Do You Order a Birth Certificate in Florida?
Order from the official Florida records office, with the fee and ID that office asks for. Here is how, step by step.
The Florida rule in one table
| Official office | Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics | | Fee, computer-generated | 9 dollars for the first certification, including the search fee, which is not refunded. Extra copies 4 dollars | | Fee, photocopy | 14 dollars for the first photocopy certificate. Extra copies 4 dollars. Same-day walk-in photocopy service adds a 10 dollar rush fee when available | | Shipping and rush | 1 dollar shipping and handling. Rush orders add 10 dollars and the envelope must be marked RUSH | | Form | DH726, in English or Spanish | | Confidentiality | Births less than 125 years old are confidential and restricted to eligible requesters |
What makes Florida different
Florida is the two product state. A computer-generated certification and a photocopy certificate are both official. Both carry the embossed seal. Both are accepted by state and federal agencies. But they are different products. The computer-generated certification costs 9 dollars for the first copy and mails in 3 to 5 business days. The photocopy costs 14 dollars, is made by hand, and takes longer. Pick the computer-generated certification unless the office you send it to asks for a photocopy.
The second Florida difference is the confidentiality clock. Births less than 125 years old are confidential. That is the longest period in this directory. They may go only to the registrant if of legal age, a parent listed on the record, a legal guardian with guardianship papers, a legal representative with papers, a court order holder, or, after the registrant death record is received, a spouse, child, grandchild, or sibling of legal age. Anyone else needs a notarized Affidavit to Release a Birth Certificate, form DH 1958, signed by an eligible requester, plus photo ID for both parties.
The process, step by step
- Decide between a computer-generated certification and a photocopy certificate. The computer-generated one is cheaper and faster for most uses.
- Fill out form DH726. Attach a copy of a valid photo ID: driver license, state ID card, passport, or military ID.
- Order by walk-in at 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, or by mail to Florida Department of Health, Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042.
- Allow 3 to 5 business days for mailed computer-generated certifications, not counting shipping. Add the 10 dollar rush fee and mark the envelope RUSH only if you need rush handling.
Ordering in the other states
Birth certificate ordering follows the same shape in every state, but the office, the fee, and the wait change at the state line. See How to Order a Birth Certificate in New York and How to Order a Birth Certificate in Washington. For all seven states side by side, see the Birth Certificates by State directory.
Source
Fees, forms, times, and eligibility on this page come from the Florida Department of Health: the birth certificates main page and the commemorative certificates page. Facts verified 2026-10-26.
This page explains how the process works and what the official rules say. It is general information, not legal advice. For a dispute about your specific situation, talk to a lawyer or your state agency.
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