Tampa Birth Certificate Lookup
Tampa birth records are handled by the Hillsborough County Health Department and are also available through the Hillsborough County Tax Collector offices. Tampa is the county seat of Hillsborough County and home to more than 414,000 residents, making it the third most populous city in the state. Whether you need a copy of a birth certificate for a passport, school enrollment, or personal records, there are several local options for getting one. The health department and multiple tax collector branches across the county all process requests for Tampa birth certificates.
Tampa Quick Facts
Tampa Birth Records Office
The Hillsborough County Health Department is the main source for birth certificates in Tampa. You can call (813) 307-8002 for details about hours, forms, and what to bring. The Hillsborough County birth certificate page has current information on how to place your request. Walk-in visits work well if you need your copy the same day. Bring a valid photo ID and be ready to fill out a short form at the office.
Tampa residents also have the option of going to a Hillsborough County Tax Collector office for birth certificates. The tax collector has branches in Brandon, Downtown Tampa, Drew Park, North Tampa, Plant City, and Southshore. This gives Tampa residents more places to go, which can save time if one of those branches is closer to your home or work. The tax collector offices process the same requests as the health department.
The City of Tampa website provides links to county and state services that residents use most often, including vital records information.
The city site is a useful starting point for finding county services, even though birth certificates are managed at the county level in Tampa.
| Office | Hillsborough County Health Department, Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Phone | (813) 307-8002 |
| Health Dept Website | hillsborough.floridahealth.gov |
| County Resource | hcfl.gov - Vital Records |
How to Get Tampa Birth Certificates
There are several ways to get a birth certificate in Tampa. The most common is visiting the health department or one of the tax collector branches in person. You show your ID, fill out a form, pay the fee, and walk out with your copy. Same-day service is typical for in-person visits, though wait times can vary based on how many people are there ahead of you.
Online orders go through VitalChek. VitalChek is a third-party service and the only vendor the Florida Department of Health recommends for online orders. You pay with a credit or debit card. VitalChek adds a service fee to the state fee. The certificate ships by mail once it is processed. This method works well if you cannot visit a Tampa office in person or prefer to handle things from home.
Mail requests are another path. Send a filled-out form, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order to the Hillsborough County Health Department. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders usually take two to three weeks. If you are not in a rush, this is a straightforward way to get a birth certificate without leaving your house in Tampa.
Under Florida Statute 382.013, all births in the state must be registered. The hospital or birth center files the paperwork. Once the birth is on file, you can order copies through any of the methods listed here for Tampa birth records.
Note: VitalChek is the only vendor the Florida Department of Health recommends for online birth certificate orders.
Tampa Birth Certificate Fees
The cost for a birth certificate in Tampa is $14 for the first copy. Each extra copy at the same time costs $9. A protective sleeve is $3. These fees are based on what Hillsborough County charges and align with Florida Statute 382.0255. The health department and tax collector offices take cash, checks, and money orders. VitalChek adds its own service charge on top of the base fee for Tampa orders.
If you need more than one copy, order them all at once. The extra copy rate is lower. Many people in Tampa need several copies for things like school, a new driver license, or travel documents. Getting them all at the same time saves money and means you only have to make one trip to the office.
Who Can Get Tampa Birth Records
Florida law limits who can get a certified birth certificate. Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth records are confidential. Only certain people may order a certified copy. The person named on the record, if 18 or older, can get one. Parents and legal guardians qualify. So do spouses, children, siblings, and grandparents. An attorney who represents a qualified person can also make the request.
You must show a valid photo ID to prove who you are. Legal guardians need court documents. If you do not meet the rules, you can still get an informational copy in Tampa. This version is marked as not valid for official use, but it does show the same facts. It can help for things like family research where you don't need a certified copy.
Correcting Tampa Birth Records
If a birth certificate has wrong info, you can request a correction. The Florida Department of Health handles amendments to vital records. Under Florida Statute 382.016, changes to a birth record go through the state office. Small errors like a misspelled name may be fixed with a simple form. Bigger changes, such as adding a father's name or changing the child's name after an adoption, often need a court order first.
Corrections take time. Once you file the request, the state reviews the evidence you provide. If a court order is needed, you must get that through the Hillsborough County court system before the state will update the record. After the change is made, you can order a new certified copy from the Tampa office that shows the correct details.
Note: Amendment fees are separate from the standard birth certificate copy fee.
State Resources for Tampa Residents
The Florida Department of Health runs the statewide vital records system. Tampa residents can use the state office as an alternative to the local Hillsborough County offices. The state keeps records for all 67 counties. If you were born in another part of Florida and now live in Tampa, you can request your birth certificate locally. The Florida system is centralized, so the Hillsborough office can pull up records from any county in the state.
The county health department finder on the state website lets you search for offices near Tampa. This is useful if you are looking for the closest branch or want to check hours at a different location. The six tax collector branches spread across Hillsborough County give Tampa area residents plenty of choices for where to get a birth certificate without a long drive.
The state page covers ordering methods, fees, and rules that apply to all Florida residents, including those in Tampa.
Nearby Florida Cities
These cities are near Tampa and also have birth records pages. Some share the same county, while others are in nearby counties. If one of these locations is more convenient, you may want to visit their local office for a birth certificate.
Hillsborough County Birth Records
Tampa is the county seat of Hillsborough County. All birth certificate services for Tampa residents go through the Hillsborough County Health Department or the county tax collector offices. For the full list of locations, fees, and related services, visit the Hillsborough County birth records page.