Search Hernando County Birth Records
Hernando County birth records are held by the Florida Department of Health office in Brooksville. The county sits along the Nature Coast with more than 218,000 residents spread across Spring Hill and the surrounding communities. Birth certificates for anyone born in Florida can be picked up at the Hernando County Health Department, sent by mail, or ordered through the state's online system. The local office on Cortez Boulevard is the main point of contact for Hernando County residents who need a certified copy of a birth record for school, travel, or any other official purpose.
Hernando County Quick Facts
Hernando County Birth Certificate Office
The DOH-Hernando office is the place to go for birth certificates in the county. It can pull records for any birth that took place in Florida, not just Hernando County. The office is at 300 S Broad Street in Brooksville. Walk-in service is available during normal business hours. You need a valid photo ID to get a certified copy. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. The staff can usually process same-day requests if you show up in person with your documents ready.
Florida law under Statute 382.013 says all births must be filed with the state within five days. Hospitals in Hernando County send their records straight to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Home births need to be reported by the attending midwife or physician. Once a birth is on file, the Hernando County Health Department can access the statewide database and print a certified copy. Records from 1930 to the present are available at the county level. Anything before 1930 has to go through the state office at 1217 N Pearl Street in Jacksonville.
The Hernando County Health Department also handles death certificates, immunization records, and other public health services at the same location.
| Office | DOH-Hernando, Vital Statistics |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 S Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34601 |
| Phone | 352-540-6800 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
How to Get Birth Records in Hernando County
You have three ways to get a birth certificate in Hernando County. Each has different wait times and steps. In person is the fastest method. You walk in, fill out the form, show your ID, pay the fee, and walk out with your certificate. Most people who live near Brooksville or Spring Hill choose this route. The staff at the Hernando County Health Department can process your request while you wait, as long as you have everything they need.
Mail is the second option. Send a completed application along with a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order for $15 to the Brooksville address. Make the check out to DOH-Hernando. Expect to wait two to three weeks for the certificate to come back. The office sends it by regular mail. If you need it sooner, consider the online option or visiting in person.
Online ordering goes through VitalChek, which is the only vendor the state of Florida has approved for this service. The base fee is $19 for the state portion, and VitalChek adds its own service charge of around $7 on top. You can pay with a credit card or debit card. Orders typically arrive in five to seven business days. Rush delivery is available at extra cost. VitalChek still requires you to verify your identity, even for Hernando County birth records ordered online.
Hernando County Birth Record Eligibility
Birth records in Florida are confidential. Not just anyone can walk in and get a copy. Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth certificates for people under 125 years old are restricted. Only certain people can get a certified copy from the Hernando County Health Department.
The list of eligible people includes the person named on the record (if 18 or older), either parent listed on the certificate, a legal guardian with court documentation, a spouse, a grandparent, an adult child or sibling, or an attorney acting on behalf of any of these people. You need to bring proof of your relationship if it is not obvious from your ID. For example, a parent would need their own ID that matches the parent name on the birth record.
If you don't qualify for a certified copy, you may still be able to get an informational copy. These have the same data but are stamped "not for legal purposes." They work fine for family history research or personal records. The Hernando County office can let you know which type you qualify for when you apply.
Hernando County Birth Certificate Fees
The cost for a birth certificate in Hernando County is set by the state. The first certified copy costs $15. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $7. These prices come from Florida Statute 382.0255. The Hernando County Health Department accepts cash, checks, and money orders for in-person and mail orders. VitalChek takes credit and debit cards but charges extra for the convenience.
If you need to fix an error on a birth certificate or update any details, that requires a separate process. The Florida DOH amendments and corrections page explains how to submit changes. Amendments can involve court orders depending on the type of change, as laid out in Florida Statute 382.016. The Hernando County office can start the process for you, but final approval goes through the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.
Hernando County Birth Records and State Resources
The Florida Department of Health birth certificates page is the main state resource for birth record information. It covers everything from ordering options to eligibility rules that apply across all counties, including Hernando.
This page outlines the statewide system that the Hernando County Health Department connects to when processing birth certificate requests.
The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville is the central repository for all Florida birth records. Their office at 1217 N Pearl Street handles records that county offices cannot access, including pre-1930 births. You can reach them at 904-359-6900. Form DH726 is the standard application used across the state, and Hernando County uses this same form for all birth certificate requests. Processing at the county level usually takes three to five business days for mail orders and same-day for walk-in visits.
The Hernando County Health Department website has more details on local services and contact information. They also have a page specifically for birth certificate services that covers what documents to bring and how to fill out the application form.
Cities in Hernando County
Hernando County has a few communities, with Spring Hill being the largest. All birth certificate requests for Hernando County residents go through the health department office in Brooksville, regardless of which part of the county you live in.
Other communities in Hernando County include Brooksville, Ridge Manor, and Weeki Wachee. Residents of these areas use the same Brooksville office for birth records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Hernando County. Any Florida county health department can issue a birth certificate for a birth that occurred anywhere in the state. You are not limited to the county where the birth took place.