Access Walton County Birth Records
Walton County birth records are processed through the DOH-Walton office in DeFuniak Springs. The county has a population near 89,700 and covers a stretch of the Florida Panhandle from the Gulf Coast inland. All birth certificate requests for the county go through the same health department. The office has access to every birth record registered in Florida from 1917 to the present. Whether you need your own certificate or one for a child, the steps are the same.
Walton County Quick Facts
Walton County Health Department
The DOH-Walton office in DeFuniak Springs serves as the county's source for birth certificates and other vital records. It is part of the Florida Department of Health system. Staff at this office can look up any birth record on file in the statewide database, which goes back to 1917. You do not need to have been born in Walton County. If your birth was registered anywhere in Florida, the DeFuniak Springs office can pull it up and give you a certified copy.
Under Florida Statute 382.013, every birth in the state must be registered within five days. Hospital births are filed automatically as part of the standard process. Home births need to be registered by the attending midwife or physician. Once registered, the birth record is permanently in the system.
Visit the Walton County Health Department birth certificates page for local details.
| Office | DOH-Walton, Vital Statistics |
|---|---|
| Address | 362 State Highway 83, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 |
| Phone | 850-892-8015 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
How to Order a Walton County Birth Certificate
Three methods are available. Each produces a certified copy that is valid for all legal and official purposes. Choose the one that fits your schedule and needs.
In-person ordering is the quickest option. Visit the DOH-Walton office in DeFuniak Springs during regular hours. You need a valid photo ID. Driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID are all accepted. The ID must be current. Fill out application form DH726 at the counter. It is available in English and Spanish. Pay $9 for the first copy. Same-day processing is typical for walk-in requests. No appointment is needed.
Mail orders are another option. Send a completed DH726 form, a photocopy of your valid ID, and a check or money order payable to DOH-Walton. Address it to 362 State Highway 83, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433. Allow about two to three weeks for processing. The office mails your certificate back by standard mail. There is no expedited mail service through the county office.
Online orders go through VitalChek. The Florida Department of Health only allows this one vendor for online birth certificate orders. VitalChek adds a service fee. You pay by credit or debit card. Standard delivery takes five to seven business days. Rush processing is available for $10 extra. Residents along the coast in areas like Santa Rosa Beach or Miramar Beach might find the online option easier than driving to DeFuniak Springs.
Birth Certificate Fees
The fee is $9 for the first copy. Additional copies of the same record cost $4 each if ordered at the same time. Florida Statute 382.0255 sets these fees for every county in Florida. The $9 search fee is non-refundable regardless of whether a record is found.
At the DeFuniak Springs office, you can pay with cash, check, or money order. VitalChek takes cards but charges more overall. Computer-generated certificates take three to five business days when processed through standard channels. The in-person option at the Walton County office typically gets you a copy the same day.
Who Can Request a Birth Certificate
Not everyone has the right to get a certified copy. Birth records are confidential in Florida. Florida Statute 382.025 keeps them sealed for 125 years after the date of birth.
Eligible requestors include the registrant (if 18 or older), parents named on the certificate, legal guardians with court documentation, attorneys representing eligible parties, and people who hold a court order. The Walton County Health Department will verify your identity and your relationship to the person on the record before issuing a certified copy. If you are not eligible, you can ask for an informational copy. It contains the same information but cannot be used for legal purposes.
Amendments to Birth Certificates
Corrections and changes go through the state, not through the Walton County office. The Florida DOH amendments page has the forms and instructions. The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville processes all amendment requests statewide.
Small corrections need supporting documents and a fee. Think misspelled names or incorrect dates. Bigger changes need a court order. Florida Statute 382.016 governs amendments to vital records. Adding a parent's name, changing a surname, or modifying the place of birth are all considered major amendments. Once approved, a new certificate is issued. The entire process can take several weeks.
Birth certificate fraud is a felony under Florida Statute 382.026. Using false documents or lying on an application carries serious criminal penalties. The Walton County Health Department checks all forms of ID carefully before releasing any records.
The Florida Department of Health birth certificates page shows how to order a certified copy from Walton County.
This page covers all the steps Walton County residents need to follow when requesting a birth certificate.
Cities in Walton County
Walton County has several communities spread across the Panhandle region. All residents use the DOH-Walton office in DeFuniak Springs for birth certificates.
Communities in Walton County include DeFuniak Springs, Santa Rosa Beach, Freeport, Paxton, and Miramar Beach. Residents of these areas use the same health department for birth records.
Nearby Counties
Walton County borders several other Panhandle counties. You can request a Florida birth certificate at any county health department in the state, so using a neighboring office is perfectly fine.