Search Port St. Lucie Birth Records
Birth records for Port St. Lucie are kept by the St. Lucie County Health Department, which serves the full county area. Port St. Lucie is one of the fastest growing cities on Florida's Treasure Coast, and the health department processes a high number of birth certificate requests each year. You can get a certified copy by going in person, placing an order by mail, or using the state's online ordering system through VitalChek. The local office can also help with questions about what you need to bring and how long the process takes.
Port St. Lucie Quick Facts
St. Lucie County Health Department
The St. Lucie County Health Department handles all birth certificate requests for Port St. Lucie residents. Birth records in Florida are managed at the county level, so even though Port St. Lucie is a large city, the county health department is the office you deal with. The department issues certified copies of birth certificates for anyone born in the state of Florida.
When you go to the office, bring a valid photo ID. You will fill out a short form and pay the fee at the time of your visit. The staff will look up the record and print a certified copy for you. Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth records are confidential. Only certain people can get a certified copy. You must show that you are related to the person on the record or have legal standing to request it.
The health department also handles other vital records like death and marriage certificates. If you need more than one type of record, you can take care of it all in one trip.
| Office | St. Lucie County Health Department, Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Phone | Contact through county health department |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Health Dept Website | stlucie.floridahealth.gov |
How to Order Port St. Lucie Birth Certificates
There are three main ways to get a birth certificate in Port St. Lucie. Each one has its own steps and time frame. The fees stay the same no matter which way you go about it.
In-person visits are the fastest option. Go to the St. Lucie County Health Department during business hours. Bring your photo ID and be ready to fill out a form. Most requests are done the same day. If the office is busy, you might wait a bit longer, but walk-in service is still quicker than other methods. Under Florida Statute 382.013, all births in Florida must be filed within five days of the event. This means records for recent births should be on file shortly after the child is born.
Mail orders work well if you can wait. Send a filled-out form, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order to the health department. Allow two to four weeks for your request to be processed and mailed back. Make sure you include a return address.
For online orders, use VitalChek. This is the only online vendor the state works with. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the base fee. You pay by credit or debit card, and the certificate ships to you by mail once it is ready. Processing times vary based on how busy the office is at the time.
Port St. Lucie Birth Certificate Fees
The first certified copy of a birth certificate costs $15 in St. Lucie County. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs less. These fees come from the schedule in Florida Statute 382.0255. The office takes cash, checks, and money orders for in-person and mail orders.
VitalChek charges more because of the service fee they add. If cost is a factor, visiting the office in Port St. Lucie is the cheapest route. Ordering more than one copy at a time saves money since the rate for extra copies is lower than for the first one. Many people order two or three copies at once so they have extras on hand for school, travel, or other needs.
Who Can Order Birth Records
Not everyone can get a certified birth certificate. Florida law limits access. The person named on the record can order a copy if they are 18 or older. Parents and legal guardians can also order one. Spouses, children, siblings, and grandparents are on the list too. An attorney who represents one of these people can also request a copy on their behalf.
If you do not fall into one of those groups, you can still get an informational copy. This type of copy has a stamp on it that says it is not certified. It is not valid for legal use, but it can be useful for personal research. Legal guardians will need to bring court papers to prove their status when they visit the Port St. Lucie area office.
Correcting a Port St. Lucie Birth Certificate
If there is a mistake on a birth certificate, you can file for a correction. The Florida Department of Health amendments page explains how to fix errors. Common issues include wrong name spellings, wrong dates, or missing parent names. Under Florida Statute 382.016, most changes go through the state office.
Adding or changing a father's name usually needs a court order or a signed acknowledgment of paternity. Name changes tied to adoption also go through the courts first. Once the court issues its order, the state updates the birth record. Then you can get a new copy that shows the right information. The process can take a few weeks, and amendment fees are separate from the cost of a regular copy.
State Resources for Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie residents can also go through the state office to get a birth certificate. The Florida Department of Health runs a central office in Jacksonville that keeps records for all 67 counties. If the local St. Lucie County office is not convenient, you can send your request to the state instead.
Florida's system is centralized. That means any county health department can look up records from any other county. If you were born somewhere else in Florida but now live in Port St. Lucie, you can go to the local office and they will pull up your record. You do not need to contact the county where you were born. The county health department finder can help you locate the nearest office.
The state DOH website is a helpful starting point for anyone in Port St. Lucie who needs to check current fees, download forms, or learn about the process before visiting the local office.
The state site gives an overview of all birth certificate services that apply to Port St. Lucie and every other city in Florida.
Nearby Florida Cities
These cities are near Port St. Lucie and also have birth records pages on this site. If you live closer to one of these areas, you may find it easier to visit their county health department office for your birth certificate needs.
St. Lucie County Birth Records
Port St. Lucie is in St. Lucie County. All birth certificate services for the city go through the St. Lucie County Health Department. For more about county offices, hours, fees, and services, visit the full county page.