Find Birth Records in Clearwater
Birth records for Clearwater residents are kept by the Pinellas County Health Department. Clearwater is the county seat of Pinellas County, located on the Gulf Coast just west of Tampa. The county health department's vital records office in Largo handles all birth certificate requests for the area. You can order a copy in person, online through VitalChek, or by mail. The process is the same whether you live in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, or anywhere else in Pinellas County.
Clearwater Quick Facts
Pinellas County Health Department
The Pinellas County Health Department manages all vital records for Clearwater and the rest of the county. The vital records office is at 8751 Ulmerton Road, Suite 1700 in Largo. Although Clearwater is the county seat, the vital records office operates from the Largo location. The drive from Clearwater to Largo is about 15 minutes.
When you visit the Largo office, bring a valid photo ID. Staff will ask you to fill out a request form and pay the fee. Under Florida Statute 382.013, every birth in Florida must be registered within five days. The hospital or birth center files the paperwork with the state. County-level records go back to 1917. Anything before 1930 may only be at the state office in Jacksonville.
Check the Pinellas County Health Department website for current hours, forms, and contact details. You can download the birth certificate request form ahead of time and fill it out before you arrive at the office.
| Office | Pinellas County Health Department, Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 8751 Ulmerton Rd, Suite 1700 Largo, FL 33771 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday (call for current hours) |
| Website | pinellas.floridahealth.gov |
How to Get a Birth Certificate in Clearwater
Clearwater residents can get a birth certificate three ways. In person at the Largo office, online through VitalChek, or by mail. The method you pick depends on how fast you need the document and whether you can get to the office during business hours.
In person is the fastest. Go to the Pinellas County vital records office at 8751 Ulmerton Road in Largo. It is a short drive from Clearwater. Bring your photo ID, complete the form, and pay. Most requests are done the same day. This is the best choice if you need the certificate right away. Staff can look up the record and print it while you wait.
For online orders, go to VitalChek. This is the only online vendor the Florida Department of Health uses. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the state fee. You pay by credit or debit card. The certificate ships by mail once ready. Processing takes about three to five business days. This works well for Clearwater residents who cannot make it to the Largo office during the week.
Mail orders are the slowest option. Send a completed form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order to the Pinellas County Health Department. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request. Allow two to four weeks for processing and delivery. Make sure to send the right fee amount so your order is not held up.
Clearwater Birth Certificate Fees
The first certified copy is $15. Extra copies ordered at the same time cost $10 each. The fee schedule comes from Florida Statute 382.0255 and is the same across the state. The Pinellas County office takes cash, checks, and money orders for walk-in and mail requests.
VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the state fee, so online orders cost more. If you want to keep costs down, go in person to the Largo office. Ordering extra copies at the same time saves money since the rate drops to $10 per copy. Many Clearwater residents order two or three copies at once for school, a passport, and other needs.
Who Can Get a Clearwater Birth Certificate
Birth records in Florida are not public. Under Florida Statute 382.025, they are confidential for 125 years. Only people with a direct connection to the record can get a certified copy.
The person on the record can order one if they are 18 or older. Parents, legal guardians, spouses, children, siblings, and grandparents also qualify. Attorneys who represent those people can order copies as well. A valid photo ID is required to prove your identity and your link to the record. Guardians must bring court documents. Attorneys must show proof they represent an eligible person.
If you do not qualify for a certified copy, you can still get an informational version. It contains the same information but is stamped as non-certified. It cannot be used for legal purposes like applying for a passport. Contact the Pinellas County Health Department with questions about eligibility.
Clearwater Birth Record Corrections
Errors on a birth certificate can be corrected. Common mistakes include wrong name spellings, incorrect dates, and missing parent details. The Florida Department of Health amendments page walks you through the process.
Under Florida Statute 382.016, most amendments go through the state vital records office. Small fixes might be handled at the Pinellas County level. Adding or changing a father's name usually needs a court order or signed paternity acknowledgment. Adoption name changes require a court order too. Once the court signs off, the state updates the record. You can then get a corrected certified copy. Amendment fees are separate from the cost of ordering a regular birth certificate.
State Resources for Clearwater Residents
The Florida Department of Health manages vital records at the state level. The central office at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 has records from all 67 counties, including Pinellas. Clearwater residents can use the state office as an alternative to the local county office. The phone number is 904-359-6900.
Florida's system is centralized, which means any county health department can access birth records from any other county. If you were born in a different county but now live in Clearwater, you can request your birth certificate at the Pinellas County office. You do not need to go back to the county where the birth happened. This is useful for the many people who have moved to Clearwater from other parts of the state.
The state website covers all the details about birth certificate ordering that apply to Clearwater and every other city in Florida.
Nearby Florida Cities
These cities are near Clearwater and also have birth records pages. They are in the Tampa Bay area and use health departments in neighboring counties.
Pinellas County Birth Records
Clearwater is the county seat of Pinellas County. All birth certificate requests go through the Pinellas County Health Department. For more about county services, office locations, and ordering details, see the full Pinellas County birth records page.