Lakeland Birth Records Lookup
Birth records in Lakeland are managed by the Polk County Health Department. Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County, sitting between Tampa and Orlando along the I-4 corridor. The county health department handles all birth certificate requests for Lakeland residents, whether you need a copy for a passport, a driver's license, or any other reason. You can order in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek. The office keeps county-level records going back to 1917.
Lakeland Quick Facts
Polk County Health Department
The Polk County Health Department is the go-to office for birth certificates in Lakeland. As the county seat, Lakeland is home to the main health department office. Residents can walk in during business hours, fill out a form, show their ID, and get a certified copy. The staff processes most in-person requests the same day.
Under Florida Statute 382.013, all births in Florida must be registered within five days. Hospitals and birth centers file the paperwork directly with the state. So if the birth took place in Florida, the record should be in the system. Polk County keeps records from 1917 forward. Records from before 1930 may only be on file at the state office in Jacksonville.
Visit the Polk County Health Department website for forms, hours, and contact details. You can download the birth certificate request form ahead of time so you are ready when you get to the office.
| Office | Polk County Health Department, Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Location | Lakeland, FL (Polk County) |
| Hours | Monday - Friday (call for current hours) |
| Website | polk.floridahealth.gov |
How to Order a Birth Certificate in Lakeland
There are three ways to order a birth certificate in Lakeland. In person, by mail, or online. Each has pros and cons depending on how fast you need the document.
For in-person requests, visit the Polk County Health Department office in Lakeland. Bring a valid photo ID. Fill out the form and pay the fee. The staff can usually process your request while you wait. This is the fastest option and costs the least since there are no extra service fees. Same-day pickup is typical for most in-person orders.
Online ordering goes through VitalChek, the only vendor that works with the state. You pay by card. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the state fee. The certificate ships by mail once processed. Expect three to five business days for processing, then a few more for delivery. This is convenient for Lakeland residents who cannot visit the office during work hours.
Mail orders require a completed form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for the fee. Send everything to the Polk County Health Department. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests generally take two to four weeks. Make sure your payment amount matches the fee to avoid hold-ups.
Lakeland Birth Certificate Fees
A certified birth certificate in Lakeland costs $15 for the first copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $10 each. The fee schedule comes from Florida Statute 382.0255 and applies across the state. The Polk County office takes cash, checks, and money orders.
VitalChek orders cost more because of the added service fee. If price is a factor, the in-person option at the Lakeland office is best. Getting several copies at once saves money, too. The extra copy fee is lower than the first copy fee, so people who need more than one should order them together.
Who Can Get Birth Records in Lakeland
Florida controls who can get a certified birth certificate. Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth records are confidential for 125 years. Not just anyone can walk in and get one.
Eligible people are the person on the record (age 18 or older), parents, legal guardians, spouses, children, siblings, grandparents, and attorneys who represent those individuals. You must show a valid photo ID to prove your identity. Guardians need court papers. Attorneys need proof of representation. People who do not qualify can still get an informational copy that is clearly marked as non-certified. It cannot be used for legal purposes, but it does contain the same information.
Contact the Polk County Health Department if you have questions about whether you are eligible to order a birth certificate in Lakeland.
Birth Record Amendments in Lakeland
If there is a mistake on a birth certificate, you can request a correction. Spelling errors, wrong dates, and missing parent information are the most common fixes. The Florida Department of Health amendments page explains the process step by step.
Under Florida Statute 382.016, most changes to vital records go through the state office. Minor corrections might be handled at the Polk County level. Bigger changes like adding a father's name require a court order or a signed paternity acknowledgment. Adoption name changes also need a court order. Once the court approves the change, the state updates the record. You can then order a corrected copy. Amendment fees are separate from copy fees and vary based on the type of change.
State Resources for Lakeland Residents
The Florida Department of Health runs vital records for the entire state. The main office is at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The phone number is 904-359-6900. Lakeland residents can use this office instead of the Polk County office if they prefer. The state office takes mail and online orders.
Because Florida's system is centralized, any county health department can look up birth records from any other county. If you were born in a different part of the state but now live in Lakeland, you can get your birth certificate through the Polk County office. No need to contact the county where the birth happened. This saves a lot of trouble for people who have moved within Florida over the years.
The state website has full details on ordering birth certificates that apply to Lakeland and every other Florida city.
Nearby Florida Cities
These cities are near Lakeland and have their own birth records pages. Some are in neighboring counties along the I-4 corridor.
Polk County Birth Records
Lakeland is the county seat of Polk County. All birth certificate requests for the city go through the Polk County Health Department. For full details on services, fees, and office locations, see the Polk County birth records page.