Homestead Birth Records Lookup
Homestead birth records are handled by the Miami-Dade County Health Department. Homestead sits in the southern part of Miami-Dade County, about 35 miles south of downtown Miami. With around 85,800 residents, it is one of the larger cities in the county. The health department has several offices across Miami-Dade, though the drive from Homestead to some of them can be long. Knowing which office is closest and what you need to bring can save you a lot of time when you need a birth certificate.
Homestead Quick Facts
Homestead Birth Certificate Office
The Miami-Dade County Health Department runs vital records for Homestead and the rest of the county. There are several offices in Miami-Dade where you can request a birth certificate. The Downtown office and the West Perrine office are options, as is the North Dade office at 18680 NW 67th Ave in Hialeah. Call 305-324-2400 to find out which location is best for your situation in Homestead.
Because Homestead is in the far south of the county, some of these offices are a solid drive away. If the trip is not practical, mail and online orders are good choices. The Miami-Dade County Health Department website has the latest info on all office locations and hours. The department also offers forms in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, which helps the diverse community in and around Homestead.
Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth records are confidential in Florida. Only certain people can get a certified copy. The office checks your ID and your right to the record before they give you anything.
| Office | Miami-Dade County Health Department, Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Phone | 305-324-2400 |
| Health Dept Website | miamidade.floridahealth.gov |
| Forms Available In | English, Spanish, Haitian Creole |
How to Order Homestead Birth Certificates
In-person visits get you a copy the same day. Go to any Miami-Dade vital records office during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Fill out the form and pay the fee. The staff checks your eligibility and prints a certified copy. Wait times depend on how busy the office is that day. For Homestead residents, the drive to an office may be the biggest hurdle.
Mail orders avoid the drive. Send a filled-out form, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order to the Miami-Dade County Health Department. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Give it two to four weeks for the birth certificate to reach your Homestead address. You can download the form from the health department website in the language you prefer.
Online orders go through VitalChek. Pay with a credit or debit card. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the state fee. Your certificate ships by mail once it is ready. This is probably the easiest option for many Homestead residents, since it avoids the long drive to a Miami-Dade office.
Under Florida Statute 382.013, births must be registered within five days. The hospital or birth center handles the filing. Once the birth is on file, you can order copies from any of the methods listed here.
Homestead Birth Record Fees
The first certified copy in Homestead costs $20. Each extra copy at the same time is $16. These are the Miami-Dade County rates and follow Florida Statute 382.0255. The office takes cash, checks, and money orders. VitalChek adds its own charge on top of these fees for online orders.
Miami-Dade also offers rush processing for $10 extra. A protective plastic sleeve costs $3. If you need several copies, order them all at once. The extra copy fee is lower than the first copy fee. Many Homestead residents need copies for more than one purpose, so ordering in bulk makes sense from a cost standpoint.
Who Can Get Homestead Birth Records
Florida law limits who can get a certified birth certificate. The person on the record can request one if they are 18 or older. Parents, legal guardians, spouses, children, siblings, and grandparents also qualify. An attorney acting for one of these people may make the request as well. You need to show a valid photo ID and prove your connection to the person on the record.
If you are not on the list, you can still get an informational copy in Homestead. This version shows the same facts but has a mark that says it is not valid for legal purposes. It works for personal records and family history. For things like a passport, name change, or school enrollment, only the certified version will do.
Correcting Homestead Birth Records
Mistakes on a birth certificate can be fixed through the Florida Department of Health. Under Florida Statute 382.016, most amendments go through the state office. Small errors like a misspelled name can sometimes be fixed with a simple form and proof. Larger changes need more.
Adding a father's name often requires a paternity acknowledgment or court order. Name changes from adoption need a court order first. Once the state updates the record, you can get a new certified copy from the Miami-Dade office. The time it takes depends on the change. Quick fixes go through in a few weeks. Court-required changes take longer, especially in a busy area like Miami-Dade County where Homestead is located.
Note: Amendment fees are separate from copy fees.
State Birth Records for Homestead
The Florida Department of Health oversees the statewide birth records system. Homestead residents can use the state office as an alternative to the Miami-Dade offices. The state keeps records for all 67 counties. Mail and online orders through VitalChek are processed at the state level.
Florida uses a centralized system. Any county health department can look up a record from any other county. If you were born somewhere else in the state and now live in Homestead, you can request your birth certificate through the Miami-Dade office without contacting the county where you were born. This is helpful for the many residents of Homestead who came from other parts of Florida.
The state page covers everything from fees to forms and applies to all Floridians, including Homestead residents.
Nearby Florida Cities
These cities are near Homestead and have birth records pages on this site. Several share the same county. If one of these is closer or more convenient, take a look at their page for local office details.
Miami-Dade County Birth Records
Homestead is in Miami-Dade County. All birth certificate services go through the Miami-Dade County Health Department. For the full list of offices, fees, and services, see the Miami-Dade County birth records page.