Manatee County Birth Records Search
Manatee County birth records are available through the Florida Department of Health office in Bradenton. With a population over 458,000, Manatee County is one of the larger counties on Florida's Gulf Coast. The health department in Bradenton is a busy office that handles birth certificate requests daily. Whether you need a certified copy for a passport application, driver's license, or personal records, the DOH-Manatee office can help. You have the option of visiting in person, sending a mail request, or ordering online through VitalChek. The county seat of Bradenton is the hub for all vital records activity in Manatee County.
Manatee County Quick Facts
Manatee County Birth Certificate Office
The DOH-Manatee office in Bradenton is the main location for birth certificate services in the county. It is a full-service county health department with a dedicated vital records section. Staff can issue certified copies of any birth record registered in the state of Florida. You do not have to request from the county where the birth happened. The Bradenton office pulls from the same statewide database that every county health department uses.
Under Florida Statute 382.013, all births in the state must be registered with the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Hospitals and birthing centers in Manatee County file these records through their medical staff. Home births must also be reported. Once a birth is in the system, the record stays on file permanently and can be accessed by any county health department in Florida.
The Bradenton office tends to be busier than offices in smaller counties. Mornings are usually the best time to visit if you want to avoid a long wait. Calling ahead can also help you plan your visit.
| Office | DOH-Manatee, Vital Statistics |
|---|---|
| Address | 410 6th Avenue East, Bradenton, FL 34208 |
| Phone | 941-748-0747 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
How to Order Manatee County Birth Certificates
Manatee County residents can get a birth certificate three ways. The fastest is in person at the Bradenton office. You bring your valid photo ID, fill out the application, pay the fee, and walk out with your copy. Most same-day requests take 15 to 30 minutes depending on how many people are ahead of you. The fee is $15 for the first certified copy and $7 for each extra copy of the same record. Cash, checks, and money orders are all accepted at the counter.
Mail orders go to the DOH-Manatee address. Send a completed application form (DH726), a photocopy of your valid photo ID, and a check or money order for the fee. Make the check payable to DOH-Manatee. Mail requests usually take two to three weeks to process and return. This includes time for the office to review your application, print the certificate, and mail it back to you.
Your photo ID must be current and not expired for any request method. A driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, or military ID are all accepted at the Manatee County Health Department.
The Florida DOH website provides complete instructions for ordering birth certificates that apply across the state, including in Manatee County.
Check the Florida DOH birth certificates page for forms and detailed steps.
This resource covers everything from ID requirements to fee schedules and is a good reference for Manatee County residents before they visit the office.
Order Manatee County Birth Records Online
The only approved online option for Florida birth certificates is VitalChek. Manatee County residents can place an order on the VitalChek website at any time. The ordering process takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You will need to enter information about the birth record you want, provide your own identifying details, and verify your eligibility to receive the record.
VitalChek charges the $15 state fee plus a service fee. The total usually runs around $26 or more. Shipping speed affects the final price. Standard delivery takes about five to seven business days. Rush shipping is available for an extra cost. Credit cards and debit cards are the only payment methods accepted through VitalChek for Manatee County birth records.
Florida birth records are confidential under Florida Statute 382.025. They stay sealed for 125 years from the event date. VitalChek enforces the same eligibility rules as the county office. Only authorized individuals can get a certified copy, whether they order online or in person.
Who Can Request Manatee County Birth Records
Getting a certified birth certificate in Manatee County is not open to just anyone. Florida law sets specific eligibility rules. The list of people who can request a certified copy includes the registrant (if 18 or older), either parent named on the record, a legal guardian with court papers, the spouse of the registrant, an adult child, a grandparent, or an attorney representing one of these individuals.
When you apply at the DOH-Manatee office, you need to show your photo ID and explain your relationship to the person on the birth record. If your connection is not obvious from the application, you might need to bring extra documents. A marriage certificate, custody order, or power of attorney can help prove your relationship.
Informational copies are available to people who do not meet the eligibility requirements. These copies have all the same information as a certified version but are stamped "not for legal purposes." They work well for genealogy projects or personal records. The fee is the same as a certified copy at the Manatee County Health Department.
Manatee County Birth Certificate Amendments
If you find a mistake on a Manatee County birth certificate, it can be fixed. The state has a formal process for corrections and amendments. The Florida DOH amendments page lays out the steps for each type of change.
Minor errors, like a misspelled name or wrong date, can often be corrected by submitting supporting documents. A hospital record, baptismal certificate, or insurance form that shows the correct information can support your request. Under Florida Statute 382.016, bigger changes need a court order. Adding a father's name, changing a legal name, or altering the place of birth are examples of amendments that go through the court system. Manatee County residents file these petitions with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Bradenton.
The fees for amendments are separate from the birth certificate ordering fee. Contact the DOH-Manatee office at 941-748-0747 to find out exactly what paperwork and payment you need for your specific change.
Manatee County Birth Records in the State System
The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville manages the master copy of every birth record filed in Florida. The office sits at 1217 N Pearl Street. County health departments like DOH-Manatee connect to this central system to pull records and issue certified copies at the local level. This setup means Manatee County can process requests for births that happened anywhere in the state.
Local records at the county level generally go back to 1930. Older records, including those from before 1917, may only be available through the state office or the Florida State Archives. If you are looking for a very old Manatee County birth record, contacting the Bureau of Vital Statistics directly is the best approach. You can mail a request or order through VitalChek.
Statewide fees are set by Florida Statute 382.0255. This keeps pricing the same no matter which county you order from. The first copy is $15. Extra copies are $7 each.
Protecting Manatee County Birth Records
Birth certificate fraud is a crime in Florida. Florida Statute 382.026 makes it illegal to use false information, forged documents, or any form of deception to get a birth certificate. The penalties can include fines and jail time. The DOH-Manatee staff check IDs carefully and verify eligibility for every request they handle.
Certified birth certificates issued in Florida include built-in security features. These make the documents hard to fake. If someone hands you a Florida birth certificate that looks unusual or is missing security markings, it may not be authentic. The Manatee County Health Department can verify whether a document is legitimate if you bring it in for inspection.
Cities in Manatee County
Manatee County includes Bradenton, Palmetto, Holmes Beach, Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Longboat Key (partly), and Myakka City among its communities. None of the cities in Manatee County have populations over 100,000 on their own. All residents use the DOH-Manatee office in Bradenton for birth certificate services.
Nearby Counties
Manatee County sits on the Gulf Coast south of Tampa Bay. Several counties border it, and any of their health departments can also issue Florida birth certificates.