Access Indian River County Birth Records

Indian River County birth records are handled by the Florida Department of Health office in Vero Beach. The county has a population of about 172,000 and sits along the Treasure Coast in southeast Florida. Whether you were born in Indian River County or somewhere else in the state, the local health department can issue a certified copy of your birth certificate. The office on 27th Street in Vero Beach provides in-person service, takes mail requests, and directs residents to the state's online ordering system for those who prefer not to visit in person.

Indian River County Birth Certificate Office

The DOH-Indian River office is where residents go for birth certificates. The office is at 1900 27th Street in Vero Beach. Staff are available Monday through Friday during regular business hours. You need a valid photo ID to request a certified copy. Accepted forms of ID include a driver's license, Florida state ID, U.S. passport, or military identification card. Walk-in visitors can usually get their certificate the same day.

Florida law requires all births to be registered with the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Under Statute 382.013, hospitals and other birthing facilities must file the birth record within five days. This applies to every hospital and birth center in Indian River County. Once the record is in the statewide system, the local health department can access it and print a certified copy. Records from 1930 to the present are available at the county level. Older records require a request to the state bureau at 1217 N Pearl Street in Jacksonville.

The Indian River County Health Department also issues death certificates and provides other vital records services at the same Vero Beach location.

How to Get Indian River County Birth Records

Indian River County residents have three options for getting a birth certificate. In-person visits to the Vero Beach office are the fastest. Mail requests work but take longer. Online orders through the state vendor offer a middle ground. All three produce the same certified document.

For in-person service, go to the health department on 27th Street. Fill out the DH726 application form and show your valid photo ID. Pay $15 for the first copy. Extra copies of the same record are $7 each when ordered at the same time. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted. Most walk-in requests at the Indian River County office take less than an hour to process. It is the best option if you live in Vero Beach or nearby communities like Sebastian or Fellsmere.

Mail requests should go to 1900 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Include the completed form, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order for $15 made out to DOH-Indian River. Processing takes about two to three weeks. The office returns the certificate by regular mail. There is no express mail option for county-level orders.

VitalChek is the only vendor approved by the state for online birth certificate orders. They charge the state fee plus a service fee. Credit and debit cards are accepted. Orders arrive in five to seven business days in most cases, with rush delivery available for an additional charge. This option works well for Indian River County residents who cannot visit the office during business hours.

Indian River County Birth Record Privacy

Birth records in Florida are not open to the public. Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth certificates for people under 125 years old are confidential. The Indian River County Health Department verifies your identity and your right to the record before issuing a certified copy.

People who can request a certified birth certificate include the person on the record if they are 18 or older, either parent listed on the certificate, a legal guardian with proof from the court, a spouse, an adult child, a grandparent, an adult sibling, or an attorney who represents any of these people. If you do not fall into one of these groups, you might still get an informational copy. This version has the same facts but is stamped to show it is not for legal use. It works for family history research and personal reference.

Indian River County takes identity verification seriously. All photo IDs must be current and valid at the time of your request.

Indian River County Birth Certificate Fees

Fees for birth certificates in Indian River County are set by the state under Florida Statute 382.0255. A first certified copy costs $15. Additional copies of the same record are $7 each if you order them at the same time. These rates are the same at every county health department in Florida.

Need to correct a birth certificate? The process for amendments is separate from ordering a copy. Visit the Florida DOH amendments page for instructions on how to fix errors or update information on a birth record. Depending on the type of change, you may need a court order as described in Florida Statute 382.016. The Indian River County office can help you start the process locally.

State Resources for Indian River County

The Florida Department of Health birth certificates page is the main online resource for birth record information across the state.

The state page covers ordering methods, eligibility rules, and forms that the Indian River County Health Department follows.

The central Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl Street in Jacksonville maintains the master files for all Florida birth records. Call 904-359-6900 if you need records that are not available at the county level or if you have questions about pre-1930 births. The Indian River County Health Department website has contact details and more information about services at the Vero Beach office.

Cities in Indian River County

Indian River County includes Vero Beach, Sebastian, and Fellsmere. None of these cities have populations large enough for a dedicated page. All residents of Indian River County request birth certificates through the Vero Beach health department office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Indian River County. Any Florida county health department can issue a birth certificate for any birth recorded in the state, so you can use whichever office is most convenient.