Calhoun County Birth Records Search

Calhoun County birth records can be obtained from the Florida Department of Health office in Blountstown. This small county in the Florida panhandle has a population of about 13,200. Despite its size, the Calhoun County Health Department offers the same birth certificate services as larger counties across the state. The office can issue certified copies for any birth recorded in Florida's statewide system. Residents can walk in during business hours, mail a request, or go online through VitalChek to order a copy of their birth certificate from Calhoun County.

Calhoun County Birth Certificate Office

The DOH-Calhoun office in Blountstown is where residents go to request birth certificates. The office is the local branch of the Florida Department of Health and can pull up any birth record filed in the state system. Staff at the Blountstown location handle walk-in requests during regular business hours. You should bring a valid photo ID and be ready to fill out an application form. The office is small, so wait times in Calhoun County tend to be short compared to busier urban counties.

Florida requires all births to be registered with the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Under Florida Statute 382.013, the attending physician or midwife must file the birth record within five days. For Calhoun County births, the hospital or birth center sends the paperwork to the state, where it gets entered into the centralized database. After that, a certified copy can be requested from any county health department in Florida, including the one in Blountstown.

Visit the Calhoun County Health Department birth certificates page for the latest information on what to bring and how to apply.

How to Request Calhoun County Birth Records

Getting a birth certificate in Calhoun County can be done three ways. Each method produces the same result: a certified copy printed on security paper with an embossed seal. The difference is how long it takes and how you pay.

In person is the fastest route. Head to the Calhoun County Health Department during business hours with your current photo ID. Driver's licenses, passports, state IDs, and military IDs all work. Fill out the form at the desk and pay the $15 fee for the first copy. Additional copies of the same record are $7 each when ordered at the same time. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted. Most Calhoun County in-person requests are done within the hour.

Mail orders go to the Blountstown office. Send a completed application, a photocopy of your valid ID, and a check or money order payable to DOH-Calhoun. Expect two to three weeks for processing and return mail. This method works fine if you are not in a rush. Just make sure your ID copy is clear and readable so the office does not have to send it back to you.

The online option through VitalChek lets you order from home at any hour. VitalChek charges its own service fee on top of the state fee. Credit and debit cards are accepted. Orders usually ship within five to seven business days. This can be the best choice for Calhoun County residents who live far from the Blountstown office or have trouble getting there during weekday hours.

Calhoun County Birth Record Fees and Costs

Florida Statute 382.0255 sets the fee schedule for birth certificates across the state. Calhoun County follows these same rates. The first certified copy is $15. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $7. These fees cover the cost of producing the certificate and maintaining the vital records system.

If you order through VitalChek, expect to pay more due to the service fee they add. The exact amount varies, so check the VitalChek website for the current total. For in-person and mail orders, payment goes directly to the Calhoun County Health Department.

Amendments and corrections carry separate fees. The Florida DOH amendments page details how to fix errors on a birth certificate. Some changes are simple, like correcting a spelling mistake. Others, especially those involving paternity or name changes, may require a court order under Florida Statute 382.016. Staff at the Calhoun County office can guide you through the first steps.

Who Can Access Calhoun County Birth Records

Florida birth records are confidential. Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth records less than 125 years old have restricted access. Not everyone can walk in and get a copy. The people who can request a certified birth certificate in Calhoun County include the person named on the record if they are 18 or older, a parent on the certificate, a legal guardian with court papers, a spouse, a child, or an authorized attorney.

You must bring proof of identity and proof of your relationship to the person on the record. If you don't qualify for a certified copy, you can ask for an informational copy. This version has the same data but is stamped to show it is not valid for legal use. It works for personal reference and some forms of research. The Calhoun County Health Department staff can tell you which type of copy you are eligible for when you call or visit.

State Resources for Calhoun County Birth Records

The Florida Department of Health birth certificates page is the main state resource for all birth record requests, including those in Calhoun County.

This page covers eligibility, fees, ordering methods, and links to VitalChek for Calhoun County residents and anyone else in Florida.

Records from before 1930 are not available at the Calhoun County office. Those older records are kept by the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Contact the state office directly if you need a birth record from that far back. The county health department location finder can help you locate the nearest office if you need to visit in person. Processing for older records at the state level takes three to five business days on average.

Cities in Calhoun County

Calhoun County includes the city of Blountstown and the town of Altha, along with several small unincorporated areas. None of the communities in Calhoun County have populations large enough for dedicated city pages. All residents in the county use the same health department office in Blountstown to get birth certificates.

Nearby Counties

Calhoun County is bordered by several counties in the Florida panhandle. You can request a birth certificate from any county health department in the state, so a neighboring office may be more convenient depending on where you live.