Jefferson County Birth Records

Jefferson County birth records are maintained by the Florida Department of Health office in Monticello. This is one of the smallest counties in Florida by population, with fewer than 16,000 residents. The county sits between Tallahassee and Madison in the Big Bend region of north Florida. Despite its small size, the Jefferson County Health Department connects to the same statewide birth record system used by every county in Florida. Residents can get certified birth certificates for any Florida birth at the local office, by mail, or through the state-approved online vendor.

Jefferson County Birth Certificate Office

The DOH-Jefferson office in Monticello handles birth certificate requests for the county. The office is at 1255 W Washington Street. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. As a smaller health department, it does not typically have long waits for walk-in visitors. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Your driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID will work.

All births in the state must be registered under Florida Statute 382.013. Birth facilities have five days to file the record with the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Jefferson County does not have a hospital, so most births to Jefferson County residents happen at facilities in neighboring counties like Leon or Madison. Regardless of where the birth occurred, the Jefferson County Health Department can access the statewide database and issue a certified copy once the record is on file.

The county office has records from 1930 to the present in the system. Births before 1930 require you to contact the state bureau in Jacksonville directly at 904-359-6900.

How to Get Jefferson County Birth Records

You can get a birth certificate from the Jefferson County Health Department in three ways. In person is the fastest and most straightforward. Mail works if you cannot make the trip to Monticello. Online ordering through VitalChek is an option when neither of the other methods works for you.

For in-person service, visit the Monticello office during regular hours. Fill out the DH726 application form. Show your valid photo ID. Pay the $15 fee for the first certified copy. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time cost $7. The Jefferson County office accepts cash, checks, and money orders. You can usually walk out with your certificate the same day. Since the office serves a small population, the wait is often minimal.

To order by mail, send a completed DH726 form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $15 to the Monticello address. Make the check payable to DOH-Jefferson. The standard processing time is two to three weeks, including mail transit both ways. Certificates come back by regular USPS mail.

VitalChek handles all online birth certificate orders for the state of Florida. They charge the state fee plus their own service fee. Credit and debit cards are accepted. Most orders arrive in five to seven business days. Rush shipping is available at extra cost. This is a good option for Jefferson County residents who prefer to handle things digitally.

Jefferson County Birth Record Access Rules

Birth records in Florida are not public documents. They are protected under Florida Statute 382.025, which keeps them confidential for 125 years from the date of birth. The Jefferson County Health Department enforces these rules on every request.

Only certain people can get a certified copy. This includes the person named on the record (age 18 or older), a parent on the certificate, a legal guardian with court proof, a spouse, an adult child, a grandparent, an adult sibling, or a lawyer for one of these individuals. You must prove who you are and your relationship to the person on the record. If you don't qualify for a certified copy, an informational copy might be available. These have the same data but are marked as not valid for legal use. They work well for family research or personal records.

Fees for Jefferson County Birth Certificates

Jefferson County birth certificate fees are the same as every other county in Florida. The state sets the prices through Florida Statute 382.0255. First copy is $15. Extra copies are $7 each when ordered at the same time. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted at the office. VitalChek adds a service charge for online orders but lets you pay by card.

Amendments to a birth record go through a different process. The Florida DOH amendments page walks you through how to submit a correction. Some changes are simple. Others need a court order, especially those covered by Statute 382.016. The Jefferson County office can point you in the right direction, but the final approval comes from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.

State Resources for Jefferson County

The Florida Department of Health birth certificates page provides comprehensive information about birth records that applies to Jefferson County and every other Florida county.

This page covers eligibility, fees, and ordering methods that the Jefferson County Health Department uses daily.

The state's Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl Street in Jacksonville is the central repository. If the Jefferson County office has trouble locating a record or if you need a pre-1930 birth certificate, the state bureau can help. Their phone number is 904-359-6900. For local information, the Jefferson County Health Department website lists services and contact details for the Monticello office.

Because Jefferson County is close to Tallahassee, some residents find it easier to visit the Leon County Health Department instead. Both offices have access to the same records. Pick whichever location works best for your schedule.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County includes the city of Monticello, which serves as the county seat. No cities in Jefferson County meet the population threshold for a separate page. All residents use the Monticello health department office for birth certificate services.

Nearby Counties

Jefferson County borders several other north Florida counties. You can request a birth certificate at any Florida county health department, regardless of where you were born.