Find Alachua County Birth Records

Alachua County birth records are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Gainesville. The county has close to 292,000 residents and serves as home to the University of Florida. Whether you need a certified birth certificate for a passport, school enrollment, or other personal use, the Alachua County Health Department handles all requests for births that took place anywhere in Florida. You can order in person at their office on SE 24th Street, send a request by mail, or use the state's online ordering system through VitalChek.

Alachua County Birth Certificate Office

The DOH-Alachua office handles all birth certificate requests in the county. This is the local branch of the Florida Department of Health, and it can issue certified copies for any birth that occurred in the state. The office sits at 224 SE 24th Street in Gainesville. Staff are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-in service is the quickest way to get a copy if you live in the area. You just need to bring valid photo ID and know the details of the birth record you want.

Under Florida Statute 382.013, all births in the state must be registered with the Bureau of Vital Statistics. This means every hospital birth in Alachua County gets recorded in the statewide system. Home births also need to be filed within a set time frame. Once a birth is on file, the Alachua County Health Department can pull up the record and print a certified copy for you.

The Alachua County Health Department birth certificates page shows what you need to bring when you visit in person.

This page lists the forms of ID that are accepted and the steps for each ordering method available in Alachua County.

How to Get Alachua County Birth Records

There are three ways to get a birth certificate in Alachua County. Each method has its own steps and wait times. In-person requests are the fastest. Mail takes the longest. Online falls somewhere in between. All three methods give you a certified copy that works for legal and official purposes.

For in-person requests, go to the Alachua County Health Department during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state-issued ID, passport, or military ID. All identification must be current and not expired. Fill out the application form at the front desk. Pay the $15 fee for the first copy. Each extra copy costs $7. You can pay by cash, check, or money order. Most in-person requests are done the same day in Alachua County.

The Alachua County certificates portal provides details on all vital records services offered at this location.

Birth certificates, death certificates, and other vital records can all be requested through this same office in Alachua County.

Mail requests go to the same address: 224 SE 24th Street, Gainesville, FL 32641. Include a completed application, a copy of your valid photo ID, and a check or money order for the fee. Write the check to DOH-Alachua. Mail orders take about two to three weeks to process. The office sends the certificate back by regular mail. If you need it faster, the online option through VitalChek may be better for Alachua County birth records.

Note: All identification must be valid and not expired when you request an Alachua County birth certificate.

Online Ordering for Alachua County Birth Certificates

VitalChek is the only vendor the Florida Department of Health approves for online birth certificate orders. This applies to Alachua County and every other county in the state. You can place an order any time of day or night through their website. There is an extra service fee on top of the state fee when you use VitalChek. Most people choose this option when they can't visit the office in person or don't want to wait for mail processing.

The VitalChek ordering page for Florida walks you through the process step by step.

Orders placed through VitalChek typically arrive within five to seven business days, though rush options are available for Alachua County residents who need their birth certificate sooner.

Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth records in the state are confidential. Only certain people can get a certified copy. This includes the person named on the record (if 18 or older), a parent, a legal guardian, or an authorized representative. When you order online, you still have to prove who you are and show you have the right to get the record. VitalChek verifies your identity as part of the process for Alachua County birth records.

Alachua County Birth Record Fees

The fee for a certified birth certificate in Alachua County is $15 for the first copy. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $7. These fees are set by the state under Florida Statute 382.0255. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted for in-person and mail orders. VitalChek accepts credit and debit cards but adds a processing fee.

If you need to make changes to a birth certificate, that is a separate process with its own fees. The Florida DOH amendments page explains how to correct errors or update information. Amendments are handled at the state level, not just at the Alachua County office. A court order may be needed for some types of changes, as outlined in Florida Statute 382.016.

Note: Fees may change, so call 352-334-7900 to confirm current pricing before visiting the Alachua County office.

Alachua County Health Department Overview

The Alachua County Health Department main site has information on all services the office provides beyond birth records.

Besides birth certificates, the Alachua County Health Department offers death certificates, immunization records, and other public health services. The office is a full-service county health department that serves Gainesville and the surrounding communities.

The Alachua County government website also provides links to local services and departments.

County government resources can point you to other offices that may help with related needs, such as court records or property filings in Alachua County.

Florida law under Statute 382.026 sets penalties for fraud involving birth certificates. Anyone who tries to get a birth record through false statements or forged documents faces criminal charges. The Alachua County Health Department takes ID verification seriously to protect the integrity of birth records in the county.

Who Can Get Alachua County Birth Records

Not everyone can get a certified copy of a birth certificate in Alachua County. Florida law limits access to protect privacy. The people who can request a certified copy include the person on the record if they are 18 or older, either parent listed on the certificate, a legal guardian with court papers, a spouse, a child of the person on the record, or an attorney representing any of these people. You have to show proof of your relationship when you apply.

If you don't qualify for a certified copy, you may be able to get an informational copy. This version has the same details but is stamped "not for legal purposes." It can still be useful for family history research or personal reference. The Alachua County Health Department can tell you which type you qualify for when you call or visit. For genealogy work, the Florida DOH birth certificates page has more on older records and research access.

Cities in Alachua County

Alachua County has several cities and towns, with Gainesville being the largest by far. All birth certificate requests for Alachua County residents go through the same health department office in Gainesville, no matter which city you live in.

Other communities in Alachua County include Alachua, Archer, Hawthorne, High Springs, Micanopy, Newberry, and Waldo. Residents of these towns use the same Gainesville office for birth records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Alachua County. If you were born in a neighboring county, you can still request your birth certificate from the Alachua County Health Department since they can access the statewide system. However, you may also visit the health department in the county where the birth took place.