Find Holmes County Birth Records

Holmes County birth records are managed by the Florida Department of Health office located in Bonifay. This small county in the Florida panhandle has a population of just under 20,000 people. Despite its size, the Holmes County Health Department provides the same birth certificate services as any other county office in the state. Residents can request certified copies of birth records for any birth that took place in Florida. The office on Highway 90 West in Bonifay accepts walk-in visits, mail requests, and can also point you to the state's online ordering system.

Holmes County Birth Certificate Office

The DOH-Holmes office handles all birth certificate requests in the county. It is a small office, but it connects to the same statewide vital records database as every other county in Florida. That means you can get a birth certificate for any Florida birth at this location, not just births that happened in Holmes County. The office is at 603 Scenic Circle in Bonifay.

You need a valid photo ID to request a certified birth certificate. Bring your driver's license, state-issued ID, passport, or military ID. The staff will verify your identity and check that you are eligible to receive the record before they process your request. Walk-in service during business hours is the fastest way to get a copy if you are in the Bonifay area. Most in-person requests at the Holmes County office are processed the same day.

All births in Florida must be registered under Florida Statute 382.013. The law requires filing within five days of the birth. Hospitals, birthing centers, and attending physicians or midwives are responsible for submitting the paperwork. Once a record is in the system, the Holmes County Health Department can pull it up and create a certified copy for you.

How to Order Holmes County Birth Records

Three methods are available to get a birth certificate through the Holmes County Health Department. In person is fastest. Mail takes longer but works if you cannot visit. Online is an option through the state's approved vendor. Here is how each method works for Holmes County residents.

Walk-in requests are handled at the Bonifay office. Bring your photo ID and fill out the DH726 application form. The fee is $15 for the first certified copy and $7 for each extra copy of the same record. Payment can be made by cash, check, or money order. You will usually have your certificate in hand within the hour. The Holmes County office is smaller than some, so wait times tend to be short.

Mail orders go to 603 Scenic Circle, Bonifay, FL 32425. Include the completed DH726 form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $15 payable to DOH-Holmes. Allow two to three weeks for processing and return mail. The office sends certificates by regular USPS mail.

Online orders go through VitalChek. This is the only vendor the Florida Department of Health has authorized for online birth certificate orders. VitalChek charges the state fee plus a service fee. They accept credit and debit cards. Most orders arrive in five to seven business days. You can pay for rush shipping if you need it faster.

Holmes County Birth Record Eligibility

Not everyone can get a certified birth certificate. Florida law limits who has access to these records. According to Florida Statute 382.025, birth records for people under 125 years old are confidential. The Holmes County Health Department checks your eligibility before releasing any certified copy.

Eligible requesters include the person on the record (age 18 or older), a parent named on the certificate, a legal guardian with court documentation, a spouse, an adult child, a grandparent, an adult sibling, or a legal representative of any of these people. You must bring proof of your identity and your connection to the person on the record. If you do not qualify for a certified copy, you may be able to get an informational copy. These have the same data but are marked as not valid for legal use. They are fine for genealogy work or personal records.

Fees for Holmes County Birth Certificates

The fee schedule for birth certificates in Holmes County comes from Florida Statute 382.0255. It is the same across all 67 Florida counties. You pay $15 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy of the same record when ordered at the same time. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted at the Holmes County office. VitalChek takes cards but adds a service charge.

If you need changes made to a birth certificate, the Florida DOH amendments and corrections page explains the process. Some corrections are straightforward. Others require a court order under Statute 382.016. The Holmes County office can help you get started, but the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville makes the final call on amendment requests.

State Resources for Holmes County Residents

The Florida Department of Health birth certificates page covers everything you need to know about birth records at the state level. It applies to Holmes County and every other county in Florida.

This state resource outlines the rules and forms that Holmes County follows for all birth certificate requests.

The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville at 1217 N Pearl Street is the main repository for all Florida birth records. If the Holmes County office cannot find a record or if the birth took place before 1930, the state office is the next step. Call 904-359-6900 to reach them. The Holmes County Health Department website has local contact details and information about other services offered at the Bonifay location.

Cities in Holmes County

Holmes County includes the towns of Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon, and Westville. None of these communities meet the population threshold for a separate page. All Holmes County residents use the health department in Bonifay for birth certificate services.

Nearby Counties

Holmes County is surrounded by several other panhandle counties. Any county health department in Florida can issue a birth certificate for a birth that happened anywhere in the state.