Miami Birth Records Search

Miami birth records are managed by the Miami-Dade County Health Department, which operates multiple office locations across the county. As one of the most diverse cities in the country, Miami serves a large population that often needs birth certificates in connection with travel, school, and legal matters. The health department offers application forms in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, which reflects the makeup of the community. You can get a certified copy of a birth certificate through the local office by visiting in person, placing an order online, or sending a request by mail.

Miami Birth Certificate Office

The Miami-Dade County Health Department runs vital records services for all of Miami and the rest of the county. The department has several locations where you can request a birth certificate. The Downtown office and the West Perrine office are both open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There is also a North Dade office at 18680 NW 67th Ave in Hialeah, FL 33015. You can call 305-324-2400 for any of these locations or email MiamiDade@FLHealth.gov with questions about birth records in Miami.

When you visit one of these offices in Miami, bring a valid photo ID. The staff will ask you to fill out a form and pay the fee. Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth records are confidential and only certain people can get certified copies. You must prove your relation to the person on the record. Parents, legal guardians, spouses, and close family members all qualify. Others may get an informational copy that is not valid for legal use.

The City of Miami website is a good starting point for city services, though birth certificates are handled at the county level through the health department.

The city site links to many county services that Miami residents use, including vital records and health department offices.

How to Order Miami Birth Certificates

There are a few ways to get a birth certificate in Miami. In-person visits are the fastest. Go to any of the Miami-Dade vital records offices during business hours. Bring your photo ID and fill out the form. Most requests are processed the same day. The Miami-Dade birth certificate page has the latest details on what to bring and where to go.

For online orders, use VitalChek. This is the only online vendor that the Florida Department of Health recommends. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the state fee. You pay with a credit or debit card. The birth certificate ships by mail once it is ready. Processing times can vary depending on how busy the state office is at the time of your request.

Mail requests are also an option for Miami birth records. Send a filled-out form, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order to the health department. You can download forms from the health department website in English, Spanish, or Haitian Creole. This is a big help for the many residents of Miami who speak one of those languages at home. Allow two to four weeks for mail orders to arrive.

Note: Application forms for Miami birth certificates are available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.

Miami Birth Record Fees

Birth certificate fees in Miami are set by the county and state. The first certified copy costs $20. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $16. These fees follow the schedule laid out in Florida Statute 382.0255. The Miami-Dade office also charges $10 for rush processing if you need your copy faster than normal. A protective plastic sleeve for the certificate costs $3.

VitalChek orders cost more because they add their own service fee. If you are on a tight budget, going in person to one of the Miami offices is the cheapest option. The office takes cash, checks, and money orders. If you need several copies of a birth certificate, ordering them all in one trip saves money since the extra copy fee is lower than the first copy fee in Miami.

Birth Registration in Miami

When a child is born in Miami, the hospital handles most of the paperwork. Under Florida Statute 382.013, each birth in the state must be registered within five days. The hospital or birth center files the birth certificate with the state. Parents fill out a worksheet before they leave the hospital. This worksheet has the facts that go on the certificate: the child's name, date, time, place of birth, and parent information.

If a birth in Miami happens outside of a hospital, the rules are different. A midwife or other attendant can file the paperwork. If no one was there to help, one of the parents must register the birth within five days. Late filings are possible, but they take more effort. You may need a court order or extra proof to register a birth that was not filed on time. The Miami-Dade Health Department can walk you through the steps if you are in this situation.

Correcting Miami Birth Records

Mistakes on a birth certificate can be fixed. Common errors include wrong name spellings, wrong dates, or missing parent names. The Florida Department of Health amendments page explains the process for making changes. Under Florida Statute 382.016, most changes go through the state office, though some small fixes can be made at the local Miami-Dade level.

Adding or changing a father's name on a Miami birth certificate usually needs a court order or a signed acknowledgment of paternity. Name changes from adoption go through the court first. Once the court signs the order, the state updates the birth record. Then you can order a new certified copy in Miami that shows the correct information. The timeline depends on the type of change and how fast the court moves.

Note: Fees for amendments are separate from the cost of ordering a birth certificate copy.

State Birth Records for Miami

Miami residents can also use the statewide system run by the Florida Department of Health. The state office in Jacksonville keeps records for all 67 counties, including Miami-Dade. If the local Miami office is backed up or if you find it more convenient, you can send your request to the state level instead. The state office accepts mail and online orders.

Florida's vital records system is centralized. This means that any county health department in the state can look up a birth record from any other county. If you were born somewhere else in Florida and now live in Miami, you can request your birth certificate at the Miami-Dade office. You do not need to contact the county where you were born. This makes things simpler for the many people who have moved to Miami from other parts of the state over the years.

The state website shows all the details about how to order from the central office, which may be useful for Miami residents who prefer to deal with the state directly.

Nearby Florida Cities

These cities are near Miami and also have birth records pages on this site. Many of them are in the same county or in bordering counties. If you live in one of these areas, you may find a closer office for your birth certificate request.

Miami-Dade County Birth Records

Miami is the county seat of Miami-Dade County. All birth certificate services for the city are run by the Miami-Dade County Health Department. For the full list of office locations, hours, fees, and related services, see the Miami-Dade County birth records page.

View Miami-Dade County Birth Records