Fort Lauderdale Birth Records

Birth records for Fort Lauderdale are handled by the Broward County Health Department, which has its vital statistics office right in the city. Fort Lauderdale is the county seat of Broward County, so the main vital records office is located here at 780 SW 24th St. This makes it convenient for Fort Lauderdale residents to walk in and get a birth certificate. You can also order by mail or online. The office processes requests for anyone born in Florida, and the staff can help you figure out what you need to bring and how to fill out the forms.

Broward County Health Department

The Broward County Health Department runs vital records services for Fort Lauderdale and all other cities in Broward County. The vital statistics office is at 780 SW 24th St in Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. One thing to note: the office closes early at 3:00 PM on every third Thursday of the month.

You can reach the main office at 954-467-4700. For vital statistics questions, call 954-467-4413. The staff can answer questions about birth certificate requests, fees, and what documents you need to bring. Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth records are confidential, so the office will verify your identity and your eligibility before issuing a certified copy.

Since the Broward County vital records office is in Fort Lauderdale, residents of the city have the easiest access of anyone in the county. You do not need to travel far. Just bring your photo ID and be ready to fill out an application.

How to Order Fort Lauderdale Birth Certificates

Fort Lauderdale offers three ways to get a birth certificate. In person is the fastest. By mail takes longer but works if you cannot visit. Online is available through VitalChek at any time.

For in-person requests, go to the Broward County vital statistics office at 780 SW 24th St during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. You fill out the application and pay the fee right there. Most walk-in requests are processed the same day. Avoid going on the third Thursday of the month if you plan to arrive in the afternoon, since the office closes at 3:00 PM that day. Under Florida Statute 382.013, births in Florida must be registered within five days, so records for recent births should be available shortly after the event.

Mail orders are straightforward. Send a completed form, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order to the Broward County Health Department. Include your return address. Allow two to four weeks for the certificate to come back. Make sure the payment is the correct amount or the request could be delayed.

Online orders go through VitalChek. This is the only vendor the Florida Department of Health works with for web-based orders. VitalChek adds a service fee to the total. You pay by credit or debit card, and the certificate ships to you by mail. This is a good option for Fort Lauderdale residents who work during the day and cannot get to the office.

Fort Lauderdale Birth Certificate Fees

The first certified copy costs $15 in Broward County. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs less. These fees are set under Florida Statute 382.0255. The office accepts cash, checks, and money orders for in-person and mail requests.

VitalChek adds its own service fee, so online orders cost more than going in person. If you need several copies, it pays to order them all at one time. The extra copy rate is lower, which saves you money. Many Fort Lauderdale residents order two or three copies at once for use with school, a passport application, or insurance paperwork.

Who Can Request Fort Lauderdale Birth Records

Florida law controls who can get a certified birth certificate. The person named on the record must be 18 or older. Parents and legal guardians qualify. So do spouses, children, siblings, and grandparents. An attorney who represents an eligible person can also make the request on their behalf.

Anyone not on the eligible list can still get an informational copy. This copy is stamped as not certified and cannot be used for legal purposes. It can be helpful for personal reference or family research. The eligibility rules apply at the Fort Lauderdale office and all other vital records offices in Florida. Legal guardians should bring court documentation to verify their status when they visit.

Correcting Fort Lauderdale Birth Certificates

Mistakes on birth certificates can be fixed through the amendment process. The Florida Department of Health handles corrections. Common issues include misspelled names, wrong dates, and missing parent information. Under Florida Statute 382.016, most amendments go through the state office.

Bigger changes need a court order. Adding a father's name, for example, usually requires either a court order or a signed acknowledgment of paternity. Name changes from adoption go through the court system first. After the court issues its order, the state updates the birth record. Fort Lauderdale residents can then order a new certified copy with the correct details. The amendment fee is separate from the fee for a regular birth certificate copy.

State Birth Records for Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale residents have access to the statewide system run by the Florida Department of Health. The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville keeps records for all 67 Florida counties, including Broward. You can send your request to the state office if the local Fort Lauderdale office does not fit your schedule.

The state system is centralized. Any county health department in Florida can look up a birth record from any other county. If you were born somewhere else in the state but now live in Fort Lauderdale, you can go to the Broward office and they will pull up your record. No need to contact the county where you were born. The county health department finder can help locate other offices if you need one outside Broward County.

The state DOH website has the latest forms, fees, and process details for ordering birth certificates anywhere in Florida.

This page shows the statewide birth certificate information that applies to Fort Lauderdale and every other city in Florida.

Nearby Florida Cities

Fort Lauderdale is surrounded by many cities in Broward County and beyond. These nearby cities also have birth records pages on this site. Since several are in Broward County, they use the same vital records office in Fort Lauderdale.

Broward County Birth Records

Fort Lauderdale is the county seat of Broward County. The vital statistics office is located right in the city. All birth certificate services for Fort Lauderdale go through the Broward County Health Department. For full details on office information, fees, and services, visit the county page.

View Broward County Birth Records