Access Putnam County Birth Records
Putnam County birth records are handled by the Florida Department of Health office in Palatka, the county seat. Putnam County is a smaller, more rural part of northeast Florida, and the health department office serves the entire county from one location. Certified birth certificates are available for any birth that took place in the state of Florida from 1930 to the present. If you need a record from before 1930, the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville is where you have to go. Residents can get their Putnam County birth certificate in person, by mail, or by ordering online through VitalChek.
Putnam County Quick Facts
Putnam County Birth Certificate Office
The DOH-Putnam office in Palatka handles all vital records requests for the county. This is the only office in Putnam County that issues birth certificates. Palatka is a small city along the St. Johns River, and the health department is easy to find. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID will work. The staff will give you a DH-726 form to fill out. Once you complete the form and pay the fee, they process your request. Because Putnam County is smaller, wait times tend to be shorter than what you would see in a big urban county. Most walk-in requests are done in well under an hour. The Putnam County Health Department birth certificates page lists current hours and contact information.
If you have questions before you go, a phone call can save you a trip. The staff can tell you what to bring and whether there are any schedule changes that week.
| Office | DOH-Putnam, Palatka, FL |
|---|---|
| Hours | Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Fee | $15 first copy |
| Form | DH-726 |
Ordering Putnam County Birth Certificates
In-person visits to the Palatka office are the quickest option. You walk in, fill out the form, show your ID, pay $15, and wait for your copy. Most requests are handled same day. The smaller volume of requests in Putnam County means you rarely face a long line.
Mail is a good choice if you can't make it to Palatka. Download the DH-726 form from the Florida DOH birth certificates page. Fill it out, make a clear copy of your photo ID, and write a check or money order for $15 payable to DOH-Putnam. Send it all to the Palatka office. Processing by mail takes two to four weeks for Putnam County birth records. The certified copy comes back to you by regular mail.
The state DOH page covers form downloads and general instructions for all Florida counties, including Putnam.
Online orders go through VitalChek, the only vendor approved by the state. You pay the $15 state fee plus a processing fee of about $12. Standard delivery takes five to seven business days. Expedited shipping is available for an extra cost. VitalChek accepts credit and debit cards, which is handy since the walk-in office does not take cards. The total for one Putnam County birth certificate through VitalChek comes out to roughly $26.
Who Can Get Putnam County Birth Records
Florida law keeps birth records confidential. Under Florida Statute 382.025, a birth record is restricted for 125 years from the date of the event. The DOH-Putnam office checks each request to make sure the person has legal standing.
People who can get a certified copy of a Putnam County birth certificate include:
- The person named on the record, if 18 or older
- A parent listed on the birth certificate
- A legal guardian with court documentation
- The spouse of the person on the record
- An adult child of the person named
- An attorney representing an eligible person
Anyone who does not qualify for a certified copy can still get an informational copy. This version has all the same details but is stamped to show it is not valid for legal use. It works if you need the information but don't need the document for official purposes.
Amending Putnam County Birth Records
If your Putnam County birth certificate has an error, you can fix it. Simple mistakes like a misspelled name or wrong middle initial are handled through a basic amendment. You file the request with supporting documents that show the correct information. The Florida DOH amendments and corrections page has the forms and a list of what counts as acceptable proof. Hospital records, baptismal records, and school enrollment records are commonly used.
More involved changes need a court order. Under Florida Statute 382.016, any change to parentage, a significant name change, or an alteration to the date of birth requires judicial approval. Putnam County falls in the Seventh Judicial Circuit. You file a petition with the circuit court, and once the judge signs the order, you forward it to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. They update the record and issue a corrected birth certificate. This process can take several weeks to months depending on the court's calendar.
Falsifying information on a birth certificate carries criminal penalties under Florida Statute 382.026. The state treats this seriously.
Birth Registration in Putnam County
Under Florida Statute 382.013, every birth in Florida must be registered. Hospitals file the paperwork automatically. Parents fill out the registration form at the hospital, and the facility submits it to the state. For home births, the attending midwife or physician handles the filing.
Once a birth is registered, the record goes into the statewide system. That means you can request a copy from any county health department in Florida, not just Putnam County. If you happen to be closer to a St. Johns County or Clay County office, you can get your birth certificate there. The fee and the process are the same no matter which county you visit. This is a nice option for Putnam County residents who work or travel in nearby areas.
If a birth was not registered at the time it occurred, a delayed registration is required. This involves extra paperwork including affidavits and medical evidence. The Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl Street in Jacksonville processes delayed filings at the state level.
Putnam County Birth Certificate Fees
A certified copy costs $15 for the first one. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $6 each. These rates are set by Florida Statute 382.0255 and are consistent across all Florida counties. The DOH-Putnam office accepts cash, checks, and money orders. No credit cards at the counter.
Through VitalChek, you pay an added processing fee of roughly $12 on top of the state fee. Standard shipping is included. Faster delivery options are available for more money. One Putnam County birth certificate via VitalChek runs about $26 total. If you need several copies, the $6 per additional copy fee still applies.
Cities in Putnam County
Putnam County includes Palatka, Crescent City, Welaka, Interlachen, and several other small communities. None meet the population threshold for individual city pages. All residents use the same DOH-Putnam office in Palatka for birth certificate requests.
Nearby Counties
Putnam County is surrounded by several counties in northeast and north-central Florida. You can get a Florida birth certificate from any county health department, so whichever office is closest to you works fine.