Find Birth Records in Boca Raton
Boca Raton birth records are processed through the Palm Beach County Health Department. With a population of over 102,000, Boca Raton is one of the larger cities in south Palm Beach County. The city itself does not issue birth certificates. That falls to the county health department, which operates a vital records office in West Palm Beach. Residents can also use the state's online ordering system through VitalChek or send a request by mail.
Boca Raton Quick Facts
Boca Raton Birth Certificate Office
The Palm Beach County Health Department runs the vital records office that serves Boca Raton. The office is at 800 Clematis St., West Palm Beach, FL 33401. That is about a 45-minute drive north from Boca Raton, so plan your trip if you want to go in person. You can call 561-671-4013 for details about hours and what to bring.
The Palm Beach County Health Department website has info on all vital records services. Boca Raton residents use this same office for birth certificates, death certificates, and other vital records. Walk-in service is available. Bring your photo ID and be ready to fill out a form at the counter.
Boca Raton does not have a local vital records branch office within city limits. The county office in West Palm Beach is the closest in-person option for Palm Beach County birth certificates. Some residents find it easier to order online or by mail rather than making the drive up to the county seat.
| Office | Palm Beach County Health Department, Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 800 Clematis St., West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |
| Phone | 561-671-4013 |
| Website | palmbeach.floridahealth.gov |
How to Order Boca Raton Birth Certificates
In-person is the fastest. Drive to the West Palm Beach office, show ID, complete a form, and pay. You leave with your certified copy the same day in most cases. The office can be busy at times, so expect some wait. This is the best option when you need the document right away, even with the drive from Boca Raton.
Mail orders work well for people in Boca Raton who don't want to travel. Send a completed form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $15 to the Palm Beach County Health Department at 800 Clematis St., West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow two to three weeks for processing.
Online orders go through VitalChek. VitalChek is the only vendor the Florida Department of Health authorizes for online orders. You pay with a credit or debit card. They add a service fee to the base cost. The certificate ships to your Boca Raton address once processed. This tends to be the most popular choice for residents who want to skip the trip north.
Under Florida Statute 382.013, births must be registered within five days. The hospital or birth center files the paperwork with the state. Once registered, certified copies are available from the county health department serving Boca Raton.
Boca Raton Birth Certificate Fees
The first copy of a birth certificate costs $15 in Boca Raton. Extra copies ordered at the same time cost less. These fees are based on Florida Statute 382.0255. The office takes cash, checks, and money orders for walk-in and mail requests. VitalChek accepts credit and debit cards but adds its own service fee.
Getting multiple copies at once is cheaper. If you need one for a passport and one for school, order both in the same request. You only pay the full $15 once. Each extra copy is a fraction of that. Boca Raton residents who plan ahead can save a good bit this way.
Who Can Get Boca Raton Birth Records
Not everyone can get a certified birth certificate in Florida. Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth records are kept confidential for 125 years. The person on the record must be 18 or older to order their own. Parents, legal guardians, spouses, children, siblings, grandparents, and legal representatives can also get a certified copy.
Photo ID is required. Guardians need court papers. If you are not on the eligible list, you can still request an informational copy from the Palm Beach County office. This version has a stamp saying it is not valid for legal purposes. It works for family research and personal use. Boca Raton residents who need the certified version must meet the legal requirements.
Fixing Errors on Boca Raton Birth Certificates
The Florida Department of Health processes corrections to birth records. Under Florida Statute 382.016, changes go through the state office. Minor mistakes like a misspelled name can sometimes be fixed with a form and supporting documents. Bigger changes, such as adding a parent or a name change following adoption, usually need a court order first.
Amendment fees are separate from copy fees. Once the correction is done, Boca Raton residents can order a new certified copy that reflects the updated information. The timeline varies based on the type of change. Simple fixes may take a few weeks while court-ordered changes take longer.
State Resources for Boca Raton
The Florida Department of Health runs the state vital records system. Boca Raton residents can use the state office as an alternative to the Palm Beach County office. The state keeps birth records for all 67 counties in Florida. Their main office is at 1217 N. Pearl St., Jacksonville, FL 32202.
Florida has a centralized system. Any county health department can pull up records from any other county. If you were born elsewhere in Florida but now live in Boca Raton, the Palm Beach County office can look up your record without you having to contact the county where you were born. This is one of the more useful features of the Florida system for residents who have moved around the state.
The state website has forms and instructions for all Florida residents, including those in Boca Raton.
Nearby Florida Cities
These cities are near Boca Raton and have birth records pages. Some are in Palm Beach County while others are in neighboring Broward County to the south.
Palm Beach County Birth Records
Boca Raton is part of Palm Beach County. Birth certificate services go through the Palm Beach County Health Department in West Palm Beach. For the complete breakdown of office info, fees, and ordering methods, see the Palm Beach County page.