Find Lake County Birth Records
Lake County birth records are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Tavares. The county has more than 444,000 residents and sits in central Florida, northwest of Orlando. It is one of the faster-growing counties in the state. The Lake County Health Department on Alfred Street in Tavares handles all birth certificate requests, whether the birth happened in Lake County or anywhere else in Florida. You can visit in person, mail your request, or order a certified copy through the state's approved online system.
Lake County Quick Facts
Lake County Birth Certificate Office
The DOH-Lake office in Tavares is the main office for birth certificates in Lake County. The address is 16140 US Highway 441 in Tavares. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. A Florida driver's license, state-issued ID, passport, or military ID are all accepted. Walk-in visitors can usually get their certificate processed the same day.
Lake County also has a satellite office in Clermont that may offer vital records services. The Tavares location is the primary office, though. If you are closer to Clermont, Leesburg, or Eustis, it is worth calling ahead to confirm which location can help with birth certificates. The main phone number for DOH-Lake is 352-589-6424.
Every birth in Florida must be filed with the state under Florida Statute 382.013. Hospitals and other birth facilities in Lake County send their records to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville within five days. Once a birth is registered, the Lake County Health Department can access the record through the statewide database. Records from 1930 to the present are available at the county level. For pre-1930 births, contact the state bureau at 1217 N Pearl Street in Jacksonville or call 904-359-6900.
| Office | DOH-Lake, Vital Statistics |
|---|---|
| Address | 16140 US Highway 441, Tavares, FL 32778 |
| Phone | 352-589-6424 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
How to Order Lake County Birth Records
Lake County residents have three ways to get a birth certificate. Each method produces the same certified copy. The difference is speed and convenience.
In-person requests are the fastest. Go to the Tavares office with your photo ID. Fill out the DH726 application. Pay $15 for the first copy. Additional copies of the same record cost $7 each when ordered at the same time. The Lake County office takes cash, checks, and money orders. Most walk-in requests are done within an hour. With a population of more than 444,000, Lake County processes a higher volume of requests than smaller counties, so there may be a wait during busy periods.
Mail orders go to 16140 US Highway 441, Tavares, FL 32778. Include the completed DH726 form, a photocopy of your valid ID, and a check or money order for $15 payable to DOH-Lake. Standard processing takes two to three weeks. The office returns your certificate by regular mail. Plan ahead if you have a deadline, because mail orders cannot be rushed at the county level.
VitalChek is the only online vendor approved by the Florida Department of Health. They charge the state fee plus a service fee. You can pay with credit or debit cards. Orders arrive in five to seven business days. Rush shipping is available for an extra charge. This is a popular choice for Lake County residents who live in Clermont, Leesburg, or The Villages area and would rather not drive to Tavares.
Lake County Birth Record Eligibility
Birth records are confidential in Florida. Not everyone can get a certified copy. The rules come from Florida Statute 382.025, which keeps birth certificates sealed for 125 years. The Lake County Health Department must verify your identity and your eligibility before releasing a record.
Eligible requesters include the person on the record (if 18 or older), either parent on the certificate, a legal guardian with court documentation, a spouse, an adult child, a grandparent, an adult sibling, or an attorney who represents any of these individuals. You need to show proof of your identity and your connection to the person on the record when you apply at the Lake County office.
If you don't qualify for a certified copy, ask about an informational copy. These have the same details but are stamped as not valid for legal purposes. They are useful for family history research and personal reference.
Lake County Birth Certificate Fees
Birth certificate fees in Lake County are the same as everywhere else in Florida. The state sets the prices through Florida Statute 382.0255. The first copy costs $15. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $7. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted for in-person and mail requests. VitalChek adds its own fee but accepts credit and debit cards.
Need to fix something on a birth certificate? Amendments go through a separate process. The Florida DOH amendments page explains the steps. Minor errors may just need supporting documents. Bigger changes could require a court order, as described in Florida Statute 382.016. The Lake County Health Department can help you get started, but the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville handles final approval.
State Resources for Lake County Birth Records
The Florida DOH birth certificates page is the main resource for statewide birth record information. It covers eligibility, ordering options, and forms used by the Lake County Health Department.
This page provides the same information that applies to all 67 Florida counties, including Lake County.
The Lake County Health Department website has local contact details, office locations, and information about services beyond birth certificates. The Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl Street in Jacksonville serves as the backup for any records the county office cannot locate. You can reach the state bureau at 904-359-6900 for questions about the statewide system or pre-1930 birth records. Form DH726 is the standard application used at the Lake County office and across the state.
Cities in Lake County
Lake County has several cities and communities, including Clermont, Leesburg, Eustis, Mount Dora, and Tavares. A portion of The Villages extends into Lake County as well. None of the individual cities in Lake County meet the population threshold for a separate page on this site. All Lake County residents use the health department office in Tavares for birth certificate services.
Nearby Counties
Lake County shares borders with seven other Florida counties. Any county health department in the state can issue a birth certificate for a birth that occurred anywhere in Florida.