Search Melbourne Birth Records
Melbourne birth records are kept by the Brevard County Health Department, which runs vital records services for the whole county. Melbourne sits on the Space Coast in east central Florida and is home to more than 87,000 people. The health department handles all birth certificate requests for Melbourne and every other city in Brevard County. You can get a certified copy in person, by mail, or through the state's online vendor. The process is the same no matter where in the county you live.
Melbourne Quick Facts
Melbourne Birth Certificate Office
The Brevard County Health Department is where Melbourne residents go for birth certificates. Brevard County stretches along the Atlantic coast for about 72 miles, so the health department has more than one office. The main vital records office serves the whole county. You can walk in with a photo ID, fill out a short form, and pay the fee. Most same-day visits result in a printed copy before you leave.
Melbourne is the second largest city in Brevard County. Many residents prefer to use the closest health department branch. Call ahead to check which office near Melbourne handles vital records walk-ins. Not all branches do. The Brevard County Health Department website lists all locations and their hours. Under Florida Statute 382.013, births must be registered within five days. The hospital or birth center files the form with the state.
The health department site has forms you can print and fill out at home before you visit. This can save time at the office.
| Office | Brevard County Health Department, Vital Records |
|---|---|
| County | Brevard County |
| Health Dept Website | brevard.floridahealth.gov |
How to Get Melbourne Birth Certificates
In-person visits are the fastest way. Go to the Brevard County vital records office during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Fill out the form and pay the fee. You can usually get your certified copy that same day. Wait times vary. Some days are busier than others, so plan ahead if you can.
Mail orders work if you cannot visit the office. Send a filled-out form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order to the Brevard County Health Department. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow two to four weeks for your birth certificate to come back to your Melbourne address. Download the form from the health department website before you send anything.
Online orders go through VitalChek. This is the only online vendor the Florida Department of Health recommends. You pay with a credit or debit card. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the state fee. The certificate ships by mail once it is ready. It is a good choice for Melbourne residents who want to handle things from home without a trip to the office.
Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth records in Florida are confidential. You must show that you have the right to get a copy. The office checks your ID and your relation to the person on the record before they hand over the document.
Melbourne Birth Record Fees
The first certified copy of a birth certificate in Melbourne costs about $15 at the Brevard County Health Department. Extra copies ordered at the same time cost less. These fees follow the rules in Florida Statute 382.0255. The office takes cash, checks, and money orders. VitalChek adds its own service charge for online orders.
Get all your copies at once if you can. The extra copy rate is lower than the first copy fee. Many Melbourne residents need birth certificates for more than one thing at a time. A passport, school, and a name change might all need their own copy. Ordering them together saves money and cuts down on trips to the office.
Who Can Get Melbourne Birth Records
Not just anyone can get a certified copy. The law is clear on this. The person named on the record can request a copy if they are 18 or older. Parents qualify. So do legal guardians, spouses, children, siblings, and grandparents. An attorney who represents one of these people can also make the request. You must bring a valid photo ID to prove who you are.
If you do not meet these rules, you can still get an informational copy in Melbourne. This version has a mark that says it is not valid for legal use. It shows the same facts as the certified one. It works for things like family research. But if you need a birth certificate for a passport or other official purpose, you need the certified version. Only qualified people can get that.
Fixing Errors on Melbourne Birth Records
Mistakes happen. A wrong name, a bad date, or a missing parent can all show up on a birth certificate. Under Florida Statute 382.016, corrections go through the state vital records office. The Florida Department of Health amendments page explains how the process works. Small errors may be fixed with a simple form and proof. Bigger changes need more steps.
Adding a father's name usually needs a signed acknowledgment of paternity or a court order. Name changes from adoption go through the court first. Once the court signs off, the state updates the record. Then you can get a corrected copy at the Brevard County office. The timeline depends on what kind of change you need. Simple fixes take a few weeks. Court-involved changes can take much longer for Melbourne residents.
Note: Amendment fees are separate from the cost of a birth certificate copy.
State Birth Records for Melbourne
The Florida Department of Health runs the statewide birth records system. Melbourne residents can use the state office as another way to get a copy. The state keeps records for all 67 counties, including Brevard. If the local office is not convenient, you can send your request to the state. They accept mail and online orders through VitalChek.
Florida has a centralized system. This means any county health department can pull up a birth record from any other county. If you were born in another part of the state and now live in Melbourne, you can get your certificate at the Brevard County office. You do not need to contact the county where you were born. This is a big help for the many people who have moved to Melbourne from other parts of Florida over the years.
The state site covers fees, forms, and ordering rules that apply to all Florida residents, including those in Melbourne.
Nearby Florida Cities
These cities are near Melbourne and also have birth records pages on this site. If one of these locations is closer to you, check their page for local details on getting a birth certificate.
Brevard County Birth Records
Melbourne is in Brevard County. All birth certificate services for Melbourne go through the Brevard County Health Department. For the full list of office locations, fees, and related services, visit the Brevard County birth records page.