Search Osceola County Birth Records
Osceola County birth records are on file with the Florida Department of Health office in Kissimmee. The county health department can issue certified copies of any birth certificate for events that took place in Florida from 1930 to the present day. Older records before 1930 must be requested from the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Osceola County has grown fast in recent years, and the health department serves a large and diverse population. You can get your birth certificate in person at the Kissimmee office, by mail, or through the state's online vendor. Each method has its own steps and processing times.
Osceola County Quick Facts
Osceola County Birth Certificate Office
The DOH-Osceola office handles birth certificate requests for the county. It sits in Kissimmee, the county seat. The office is open Monday through Friday during normal business hours. You should bring a valid photo ID when you go. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work fine. The staff will have you fill out an application form on site.
Walk-in visits are the fastest way to get your Osceola County birth certificate. Most same-day requests are processed while you wait, though busy periods can add some time. If the office is swamped, you might need to come back the next day. Calling ahead to check wait times is a smart move, especially during peak hours in the morning. The Osceola County Health Department birth certificates page lists current hours and any schedule changes that might affect your visit.
The Kissimmee office serves all of Osceola County. There is no branch location.
| Office | DOH-Osceola, Kissimmee, FL |
|---|---|
| Hours | Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Fee | $15 first copy |
| Form | DH-726 |
How to Order Osceola County Birth Records
There are three main ways to get a birth certificate from Osceola County. In person is the quickest. You show up, fill out the form, pay the fee, and wait. Mail takes longer but works if you can't make it to the office. Online orders go through VitalChek, the only vendor the state allows for this purpose. Each path gets you the same certified document at the end.
For mail requests, send a completed DH-726 form along with a photocopy of your valid ID. Include a check or money order for $15 made payable to DOH-Osceola. Mail everything to the Kissimmee office address. Processing by mail usually takes two to four weeks, sometimes a bit more during busy stretches. Your certified copy of the Osceola County birth record arrives by regular mail once it is ready. There is no tracking number for mailed requests, so you just have to wait it out.
The Florida DOH birth certificates page has the DH-726 form you can download and print before your visit or before mailing your request.
This state page covers all the basics for requesting birth records from any county in Florida, including Osceola.
VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the $15 state fee. The total comes out to about $26 with standard shipping. Rush options cost more. The VitalChek Florida page walks you through the steps. You can pay by credit or debit card. Standard delivery takes five to seven business days after processing. If you need your Osceola County birth certificate in a hurry, expedited shipping cuts the wait down.
Who Can Request Osceola County Birth Records
Florida law limits who can get a certified birth certificate. Under Florida Statute 382.025, birth records less than 125 years old are confidential. The Osceola County health department checks every request to make sure the person asking has legal standing to receive the record. This applies whether you order in person, by mail, or online.
People who can get a certified copy of an Osceola County birth certificate include:
- The person named on the record (must be 18 or older)
- A parent whose name appears on the certificate
- A legal guardian with proper court paperwork
- The spouse of the person on the record
- An adult child of the person named
- An attorney who represents someone on this list
Anyone who does not fall into one of those groups can still request an informational copy. This version has all the same data but is clearly marked as not valid for legal use. It works fine if you just need to see the information on the record but don't need it for official purposes like getting a passport or driver's license.
Osceola County Birth Record Amendments
If there is an error on your Osceola County birth certificate, you can have it fixed through the amendment process. Typos, misspellings, and small data errors are handled as simple corrections. The Florida DOH amendments and corrections page explains what you need to submit. Simple fixes usually just require supporting documents like hospital records or other official paperwork that shows the correct information.
More involved changes need a court order. Under Florida Statute 382.016, changes to parentage, substantial name changes, or changes to the date of birth usually require you to go through the court system first. Once you have the court order, you send it to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. They update the state record and issue a new certificate. The whole process can take several weeks to a few months depending on the complexity of the change and how backed up the courts are.
Under Florida Statute 382.026, submitting false information on a birth certificate or amendment is a criminal offense in Florida.
Birth Registration in Osceola County
Every birth in Florida must be registered under Florida Statute 382.013. Hospitals and birthing centers file the paperwork on behalf of parents. For home births or births attended by a midwife, the attending person is responsible for filing the registration within a set time frame. Once registered, the record goes into the statewide system. After that, you can request a copy from any county health department in Florida, not just Osceola County.
If a birth was never registered or if the registration was delayed, the process to add it to the system is more complex. You may need to provide affidavits, medical records, and other evidence. The Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl Street in Jacksonville handles delayed registrations at the state level. It is worth calling the Osceola County office first to see what documentation they need before you start gathering paperwork.
Fees for Osceola County Birth Certificates
The fee for the first certified copy is $15. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $6 each. These fees are set by Florida Statute 382.0255 and apply statewide. The Osceola County office accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Credit cards are not accepted at the walk-in counter. If you want to pay with a card, you need to use VitalChek.
VitalChek adds a processing fee of about $12 on top of the $15 state fee. Shipping costs vary based on the speed you choose. Standard delivery is included, but overnight and two-day options carry an extra charge. The total for a VitalChek order with standard shipping is roughly $26 for one Osceola County birth certificate.
Cities in Osceola County
Osceola County includes Kissimmee, St. Cloud, and several smaller communities. Birth certificate requests for all residents go through the same DOH-Osceola office in Kissimmee regardless of which city you live in.
Other communities in Osceola County include St. Cloud, Poinciana, and Celebration. All use the DOH-Osceola office for birth records.
Nearby Counties
You can request a Florida birth certificate from any county health department in the state. If another county office is closer to where you live or work, that works just as well as the Osceola County office.