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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.
Birth Certificates
Vital Statistics
- 239-332-9572
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Mailing Address
83 Pondella Road
North Fort Myers, FL 33903
Office hours 9:00 AM - 4:00 pm
The Florida Department of Health in Lee County is able to issue certified copies of birth certificates for any birth which occurred in the State of Florida.
Who can request a birth certificate?
Birth certificates are private records and can only be given to certain people if they provide a valid ID, any requested documents, and the correct fee. These people include:
- The person whose name is on the certificate (if they are 18 or older)
- The person's mother or father
- A guardian or legal representative of the people mentioned above, with proper proof or a court order
- If the person listed on the certificate has passed away, you’ll need to show their death certificate and be the mother, father, spouse, child, grandchild, sibling, or a legal representative of one of those people.
- Once it’s been 125 years since the person’s birth, the certificate becomes public record, and anyone can request a copy.
- If you are eligible to get the certificate, you can give someone else permission to order it for you. To do this, you must fill out an Affidavit to Release Birth Certificate DH Form 1958 August 2010 _Obsoletes previous editions, give them a copy of your valid ID, and any other required documents. The original affidavit must be sent in with a finished Application for Florida Birth Record (English) (Spanish)(Creole).
How to request a birth certificate
In person:
- Print and complete the Application for a Florida Birth Record. (English) (Spanish)(Creole)
- A copy of one of the following valid identifications
- Driver's License
- Passport
- Military ID
- State ID
- Proper fee amount.
- Other documents, if required.
- Visit the Office of Vital Statistics located at:
North Fort Myers, FL 33903
By mail:
- Print and complete the Application for a Florida Birth Record. (English) (Spanish)(Creole)
- A copy of one of the following valid identifications
- Driver's License
- Passport
- Military ID
- State ID
- Proper fee amount. Payment method’s accepted: money order, cashier check or business check. Personal checks are not accepted.
- Other documents, if required.
- A self-addressed stamp envelope (for regular processing service)
- Mail to:
By phone or online:
Order online or by phone with a credit card via VitalChek®. VitalChek® is our only contracted vendor to accept orders billed to a credit card.
Visit the VitalChek® website to place your order online.
Speak with VitalChek® a customer representative to place your order by telephone at 800-669-8312.
You will need the following to process your order:
- A copy of one of the following valid identifications
- Driver's License
- Passport
- Military ID
- State ID
- Your daytime telephone number
- Credit card information
- American Express
- Discover Card
- Master Card
- Visa
If you experience problems with your online order, please call the VitalChek® customer service number at 1-888-219-3786 for assistance, or visit their website.
| Order method | Fees | Payment method |
|---|---|---|
| In person at DOH-Lee Vital Statistics office | $14.00 for the first certified copy $10.00 for each additional certified copy of the same record | Cash Credit card Google Pay Apple Pay |
| By mail | $14.00 for the first certified copy $10.00 for each additional certified copy of the same record $10.00 as an optional RUSH fee for processing the application within one business day after we receive the request. | Business check Money order Cashier's check Make payable to: LCHD |
| Online or by phone | $14.00 for the first certified copy $10.00 for each additional certified copy of the same record VitalChek® charges an additional fee for using their service. Shipping charges apply. Please contact VitalChek® at 800-669-8312 for current fees | Credit card |
Commemorative Birth Certificates
The State of Florida provides special birth and marriage certificates signed by the current Governor and State Registrar. They have fancy calligraphy, gold embossed seals, and are great for framing as family keepsakes. However, they can't be used as legal proof of birth.
The same rules for regular birth certificates apply to these commemorative ones. Check the "Who can request a birth certificate?" section to see if you're eligible to order one.
Fee information and mailing instructions are provided on the Application for Florida Commemorative Birth Certificate.
For more information call 904-359-6900 or visit https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-and-registries/certificates/birth/Commemorative/index.html.
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