Highlands County Birth Records

Highlands County birth records are available through the Florida Department of Health office in Sebring. With a population of about 109,000, Highlands County is a mid-size county in south-central Florida that includes the communities of Sebring, Avon Park, and Lake Placid. The local health department on George Boulevard handles birth certificate requests for any birth that occurred in the state of Florida. Residents can visit the office in person, send a request by mail, or use the online ordering system that the state provides through its authorized vendor.

Highlands County Birth Certificate Office

The DOH-Highlands office in Sebring is where you go for birth certificates in this county. The office sits at 7205 S George Boulevard. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You need to bring a valid photo ID when you visit. A driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID will work. The staff can process walk-in requests the same day in most cases.

Under Florida Statute 382.013, every birth in the state must be registered within five days. Highlands County hospitals file their records directly with the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. This means the Highlands County Health Department can access any birth record in the statewide system, not just births that happened locally. Records from 1930 forward are available at the county level. For births before 1930, you need to contact the state office in Jacksonville at 904-359-6900.

The office also processes death certificates and other vital records at the same location in Sebring.

Ordering Highlands County Birth Certificates

There are three ways to get a birth certificate from the Highlands County Health Department. In-person visits are the quickest. Mail takes the longest. Online falls in between. All three methods produce the same certified copy that works for passports, school enrollment, and other official uses.

For in-person requests, visit the Sebring office during business hours. Bring your photo ID and fill out the application form (DH726) at the front desk. The fee is $15 for the first certified copy. Additional copies of the same record cost $7 each when ordered at the same time. You can pay with cash, a check, or a money order. The Highlands County office typically has your certificate ready within the hour for walk-in requests.

To order by mail, send a completed DH726 form with a photocopy of your valid ID and a check or money order for $15 to the Sebring address. Make the payment out to DOH-Highlands. Processing time is usually two to three weeks. The office mails the certificate back to you by regular mail. There is no way to speed up mail orders at the county level.

The online option uses VitalChek, the only state-approved online vendor. VitalChek charges the state fee plus its own service fee. Credit and debit cards are accepted. Orders usually arrive in five to seven business days, with rush options available for an extra charge.

Who Can Request Highlands County Birth Records

Florida keeps birth records confidential. Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth certificates for individuals under 125 years old are restricted to specific people. The Highlands County Health Department follows these rules strictly. You must prove your identity and your right to the record before a certified copy can be issued.

People who qualify for a certified copy include the person named on the record (must be 18 or older), a parent listed on the certificate, a legal guardian with court documentation, a spouse, an adult sibling, an adult child, a grandparent, or an attorney representing any of these individuals. If you fall outside this list, the Highlands County office may be able to give you an informational copy instead. Informational copies have the same details but carry a stamp that says they are not valid for legal purposes. They can still be useful for family tree research or personal reference.

Highlands County Birth Record Fees

Birth certificate fees in Highlands County follow the statewide schedule set by Florida Statute 382.0255. The first copy costs $15, and each extra copy of the same record is $7 when you order them together. These prices apply whether you order in person or by mail. VitalChek adds its own service fee on top for online orders.

Corrections or changes to a birth certificate are handled separately. The Florida DOH amendments page has details on how to submit a correction request. Some changes need a court order, especially those covered under Florida Statute 382.016. The Highlands County office can help you start the amendment process, but final approval comes from the state office in Jacksonville.

State Resources for Highlands County Birth Records

The Florida Department of Health birth certificates page is the best state-level resource for birth record information. It covers eligibility, fees, forms, and ordering instructions that apply to all Florida counties.

This state portal explains the same rules and procedures that the Highlands County Health Department follows when processing birth certificate requests.

The Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl Street in Jacksonville is the central office for all Florida birth records. If the Highlands County office cannot locate a record or if the birth happened before 1930, the state bureau is your next step. You can call them at 904-359-6900 for help. The Highlands County Health Department website also has local contact details and service information for residents in the Sebring area.

Cities in Highlands County

Highlands County includes the cities of Sebring, Avon Park, and Lake Placid. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. All Highlands County residents use the same health department office in Sebring to request birth records.

Nearby Counties

Several counties border Highlands County. You can request a Florida birth certificate from any county health department in the state, so you are free to visit whichever office is most convenient for you.