Hillsborough County Birth Certificate Search
Hillsborough County birth records are available through the Florida Department of Health office in Tampa. This is one of the largest counties in Florida with over 1.5 million residents. The health department handles all certified birth certificate requests for births that occurred anywhere in the state. Hillsborough County also has multiple Tax Collector locations where certain vital records services may be available. Whether you need a birth certificate for a passport, school, or personal records, the process starts at the county health department or through VitalChek online.
Hillsborough County Quick Facts
Hillsborough County Birth Certificate Office
The DOH-Hillsborough office handles birth certificate requests for the county. You can reach the vital statistics desk at (813) 307-8002. The office serves all of Hillsborough County including Tampa, Plant City, Temple Terrace, and the unincorporated areas. Birth certificates can only be issued to certain people under Florida law. The registrant (the person on the record) must be at least 18 years old to request their own. Parents, guardians, or legal representatives can also request copies.
The Hillsborough County Health Department birth certificates page lays out the full process and requirements.
This page covers who can request a certificate, what ID you need, and how to submit your request for Hillsborough County birth records.
Hillsborough County also has a resource through the county government. The Hillsborough County vital records certificate page provides additional guidance on where to go and what to expect.
This county resource page helps Hillsborough County residents find the right office for their needs.
| Office | DOH-Hillsborough, Vital Statistics |
|---|---|
| Phone | (813) 307-8002 |
| Service Area | Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Temple Terrace, and all Hillsborough County |
Ordering Hillsborough County Birth Certificates
In-person visits to the health department are the fastest route to a Hillsborough County birth certificate. Bring valid photo ID, fill out the application, and pay the fee. Most walk-in requests are handled the same day. The office can get crowded, especially mid-week, so arriving early helps. Under Florida Statute 382.013, all births in Florida must be registered, and that registration is what allows the Hillsborough County office to pull up any Florida birth record in the system.
Mail requests are another option. Send the completed application with a copy of your ID and payment to the DOH-Hillsborough office. Check or money order should be made out to DOH-Hillsborough. Mail orders take two to four weeks depending on how busy the office is. If you need your Hillsborough County birth certificate sooner, consider the in-person or online route.
VitalChek is the online option. It is a third-party service and the only vendor recommended by the Florida Department of Health for ordering online. You pay the state fee plus a VitalChek processing charge. Credit and debit cards are accepted. Standard delivery runs about five to seven business days. Rush shipping is available for more money. The VitalChek Florida page has the ordering form.
The Hillsborough County certificates portal has downloadable forms and links to all vital records services.
Having the form filled out before you arrive at the office saves time and cuts down on your wait for a Hillsborough County birth certificate.
Hillsborough County Birth Record Fees
Hillsborough County has slightly different fees from some other Florida counties. The first certified copy costs $14. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time cost $9 each. There is also a $3 charge for a protective sheath if you want one to keep the certificate safe. These fees are based on Florida Statute 382.0255.
The $14 first copy fee in Hillsborough County is a dollar less than what many other Florida counties charge. The $9 additional copy rate is also competitive. If you need several copies of the same Hillsborough County birth certificate, ordering them all at once saves you money compared to making separate requests later.
Note: VitalChek adds its own processing fee on top of the state fee for online orders of Hillsborough County birth records.
Who Can Request Hillsborough County Birth Records
Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth records are confidential in Florida. The Hillsborough County Health Department follows strict rules about who can get a certified copy. This protects people's personal information and prevents fraud. In a county with over 1.5 million residents, these safeguards matter.
People who qualify to request a Hillsborough County birth certificate include:
- The registrant, if 18 or older
- A parent named on the certificate
- A legal guardian with court papers
- A spouse of the registrant
- An adult child of the registrant
If you fall outside these groups, you might still get an informational copy. This version of the Hillsborough County birth record has the same information but is stamped as not valid for legal use. For genealogy research or personal records, an informational copy often works fine. The office staff can tell you which type you qualify for when you apply.
Hillsborough County Additional Resources
The Hillsborough County government website has links to county departments and community services.
For records other than birth certificates, such as property filings or court documents, the county government site can point you to the right office in Hillsborough County.
The Hillsborough County Health Department main website covers all health services offered in the county.
Beyond birth records, the Hillsborough County Health Department handles death certificates, immunizations, and various public health programs.
If your Hillsborough County birth certificate has an error, you can file for an amendment. The Florida DOH amendments page explains how. Simple fixes need supporting documents. Bigger changes may require a court order under Florida Statute 382.016. Falsifying birth certificate information is a crime under Florida Statute 382.026.
Cities in Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County includes Tampa and several other communities. The county has Tax Collector locations in Brandon, Downtown, Drew Park, North Tampa, Plant City, and Southshore that may offer certain vital records services. All birth certificate requests still go through the DOH-Hillsborough office.
Other communities in Hillsborough County include Plant City, Temple Terrace, Ruskin, and Valrico. All residents use the same health department for birth records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Hillsborough County. Any county health department in Florida can issue a birth certificate for a Florida birth, so if one of these offices is closer to you, that works just as well.