How to Get Florida Vital Records (Start Here)
Vital records in Florida, birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce records, can be obtained from Clerk of Court (marriage) / DOH (birth, death). Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
What this page covers: Florida vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).
Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact Clerk of Court (marriage) / DOH (birth, death). For marriage licenses, contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.
Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.
Statewide vital-records agency
Parent agency
Records back to
Florida Vital Records • FamilySearch
Online ordering
Marriage license issued by
Population
23,372,215
Households
8,752,810
Median Income
$73,311
Median Home Value
$359,000
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni, Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Florida vital records URL verified against the official state publisher at www.floridahealth.gov on the review date. 7 primary .gov sources cited below.
Florida Vital Records, Key Facts (2026)
Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for Florida, who can request, how to order, and what 2026 changed.
State-only
Issuing authority
Not federal
Restricted
Birth/death access
Usually self + family
75-125 yr
When records become public
Genealogy threshold
VitalChek
3rd-party portal
Used by many states
CDC NVSS
National statistics
Data only, no certificates
The person named
100%
Parent of subject
100%
Spouse of subject
90%
Adult child
90%
Legal representative
80%
General public (recent)
10%
General public (historical 75+yr)
95%
Unit: % likely to receive a certified copy.
What Changed in 2026, Florida Vital Records
2026
Florida vital records portal active
The official Florida portal at www.floridahealth.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for vital records in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for vital records
The CDC National Vital Statistics System at www.cdc.gov provides federal-level context that complements Florida state records.
2026
Florida access in 2026
For 2026, Florida continues to publish vital records information through state-authorized portals; check www.floridahealth.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE Florida's state portal, see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.
The 4-Step Florida Vital Records Pathway
1
Step 1, Confirm state of event
Vital records are issued by the state where the event happened. For events in Florida, start with the Florida health department.
2
Step 2, Verify eligibility
Most states restrict birth/death to self, parents, spouse, child, or legal rep.
3
Step 3, Choose ordering method
Florida typically allows mail, in-person, or online (often via VitalChek).
4
Step 4, Genealogy fallback
Florida records older than 75-125 years are usually public, try FamilySearch or NARA.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Florida Vital Records
MYTH"A death index entry and a death certificate are the same."
FACTThe index proves a death was recorded; the certified certificate carries the legal details. Banks and courts want the certificate, not a screenshot of the index.
MYTH"Marriage licenses come from the state."
FACTIn most states, Florida included for most purposes, you get the license at the county level, and the state only registers the completed record.
MYTH"VitalChek is a government website."
FACTIt's a private company that many states authorize to process orders. Legitimate, yes, but the extra convenience fees are theirs, not the state's.
MYTH"The court divorce file and the divorce record are one document."
FACTTwo systems: the court keeps the case file, the vital records office keeps the divorce record/certificate. Which one you need depends on who's asking for it.
MYTH"Anyone can order anyone's birth certificate."
FACTBirth certificates are restricted nearly everywhere, the person named, parents, spouse, child, or a legal representative. Strangers don't qualify.
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- www.floridahealth.gov, Official Florida Vital Records , State portal for Florida vital records
- CDC National Vital Statistics System , National Vital Statistics System
- CDC, Where to Write for Records , CDC state-by-state directory
- National Archives, Vital Records , Federal genealogy & vital guide
- Social Security Death Master File , Social Security death records
- Census, Births and Deaths , Census Bureau vital statistics
- VA, Veterans Records , Veterans Administration records
Related Vital Records Resources
📍 Other Florida records:
- Florida Court Records →
- Florida Criminal Records →
- Florida Property Records →
- Florida Voter Records →
- Florida Wants & Warrants →
- Florida Licenses →
- Florida Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 Vital Records in other states:
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
National: U.S. Vital Records hub →
Related Public Records
More Florida records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National view of this topic: All states: Vital records
Vital Records Databases
42 official Florida vital records sources.
Vital Records
Public Records, Court Records & Recorder
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However, be aware that in 1999 the new uniform case numbering system required by the Florida Supreme Court was implemented in Alachua County. The use of old case numbers may not provide the information requested depending on the year the case was filed. If the case you are looking for by case number is not found, please use the following conversion and notes to inquire and you may be more successful in your search:. Note I: Family cases that were formerly CA cases are now DR cases. (dissolution of marriage or divorce, child support, paternity, name change, etc.)
Historical Records Marriage License Search - Clerk of the Court
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Alachua County Clerk of the Court Online Information Center / Courthouse and Clerk of the Court Information / Public Records Searches / Ancient Record Site / Virtual Museum
Marriage Licenses - Public Records Search - Brevard County, Florida - Clerk of the Court
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This website is maintained by Brevard County Clerk of the Court. Please send questions regarding website technical difficulties to helpdesk@brevardclerk.us Please send all comments and suggestions to webmaster@brevardclerk.us Under Florida law, email addresses are public records.
Home Page - Broward County Clerk of Courts
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Broward County Clerk of the Circuit and County Court, Brenda D. Forman, Official Website - is your go to location to Pay Traffic Tickets, Pay Child Support, Court Fees, Case Search, Court Search, File Cases, Passports, Divorce, Injunction, Domestic Violence, Broward County
Official Records
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For party names and legal descriptions, if using the asterisk wildcard character (*) you must enter at least two characters along with the asterisk · Wildcards before and after the value will locate any matching record. For example, "*SM*" matches both "Smith" and "Craftsman"
Death Certificates | Florida Department of Health in Indian River County
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Vital records information for Florida. Genealogists lean on these because the certificate itself often stays restricted for decades. Death records typically open to the public sooner than birth records, most states stagger access.
OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT AND COMPTROLLER LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA
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Lake County Court Family and Domestic Relations court records, including divorces and annulments.
Copies of Records | Lee County Clerk of Court, FL
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Case records from the Florida courts serving Lee County surface through this system. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official vital record office.
Divorce Certificates | Florida Department of Health in Lee
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Florida dissolution of marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 to present that have been recorded by the Clerk of Circuit Court are available through the Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Leon County Domestic Partnership Registry
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Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 7 at 12:54PM EDT until May 7 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL · The Leon County Board of County Commissioners established a Domestic Partnership Registry for Leon County, which enables adult couples who live in a committed family relationship but who.
Death Certificates - Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County
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Any death prior to 2009 must be. member or legal representative when requesting cause of death. A completed Death Certificate Application Request Form should be submitted along with the appropriate fee. Visit our Downtown, North Dade, or West Perrine location.
Miami-Dade County - Clerk of Courts
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To file a petition for a simplified divorce, both parties must appear together, in person at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center. Both parties must present a valid Florida photo identification containing a signature.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller
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Search for marriage licenses recorded in Miami-Dade County. You can pay your civil traffic infraction online. View information about jury summons. Clerk Mobile App Upgrade Introduces “My Driver Vault”, Technology That Works for You · As per letter dated July 4, 2024, issued by MIAMI-DADE COUNTY’S INTERNAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, the following Clerk of the Court and Comptroller Services have been relocated. According to the Florida.
Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner
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We provide accurate, timely, dignified, compassionate and professional death investigative services for the residents of Miami-Dade County, together with education, consultation and research for local and national medical, legal, academic and law enforcement communities. Search for deceased persons brought to the Medical Examiner.
Court Records - Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court
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Welcome to the Pinellas Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Public Access Case Records Website · Most information and documents available on this site require no registration. Simply begin by searching for records below
Certificates - Florida Department of Health in Volusia County
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Divorce certificates prior to June 6, 1927 are obtainable from the Clerk of Court in the County where the divorce was granted.
Official Records | Marriage License
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Recorded land documents for Florida, deeds, mortgages, and liens. Documents index by grantor and grantee, so search both directions to catch everything. Deeds, mortgages, releases, and liens make up most of the index; images often reach back decades.
Orange County Sheriff's Office > Crime Information
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Law-enforcement records for Orange County route through this office. If a link breaks, start from ocso.com directly.
🌐 ocso.com
Public Records | Levy County Clerk of the Circuit Court
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Levy County Clerk of Court Public Records Custodian 355 South Court Street Bronson, FL 32621-6520. Circuit (Felony) Criminal Cases Domestic Violence Evictions Family Law Foreclosure Sales Jury Duty Online Forms Probate Small Claims Traffic Department. Board Minutes / Audio / Video Electronic Court & Records Access Marriage Licenses Official Records Notices Public Records
Dissolution of Marriage, Office of Kelvin Soto, Esq., Osceola Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller
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Court case information for Florida, dockets, hearing dates, and case lookups. If a link breaks, start from osceolaclerk.com directly.
Hover Court Records Home, Hillsborough County Clerk
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Your browser has a folder in which certain items that have been downloaded are stored for future use. Graphic images (such as buttons and icons), photo's, and even entire web pages are examples of items which are saved or cached. When visiting a webpage your browser checks if a copy of the.
Marriage Licenses | Escambia County Clerk, FL
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If you have minor children, If there are minor children in common born in the state of Florida, complete the Affirmation of Common Children form and bring to the appointment. Do not sign, complete only. Previously married - If either party has been previously married, the date the last marriage ended and how it ended is required. License fee $86.00, without premarital counseling. License fee $61, with completed premarital counseling certificates for both parties. If counselor is registered in Escambia County, discount applied and 3 day wait is waived.
Escambia County Clerk, FL | Official Website
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The Escambia County Courthouse was named after a former Chief Judge, Judge M.C. Blanchard. FS.668.6076 Public records status of e-mail addresses; agency website notice., Any agency, as defined in s. 119.011, or legislative entity that operates a website and uses electronic mail shall post the following statement in a conspicuous location on its website. Under Florida.
Family | Clay County Clerk of Court
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Dissolution of Marriage/Divorce A dissolution of marriage is a legal proceeding filed by a married person(s) to end a marital relationship. In addition to restoring the parties to single status, the Court can issue orders for spousal support; custody, visitation, and child support for the minor children of the marriage; and the division of any shared property assets and debts. In the State of Florida.
Divorce, Collier Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
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The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller performs a wide range of record keeping, information management, and financial management for the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida and for Collier County Government.
Gadsden County Public Inquiry
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Monroe-clerk
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Kevin Madok welcomes you to the official website for the Clerk of the Circuit Court/Comptroller for Monroe County. The Office of the Clerk is an organization that performs a wide range of record keeping, information management, and financial management for the Judicial System and County Government.
Family Law
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Angelina "Angel" Colonneso Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Manatee County · Divorce also referred to as dissolution of marriage. The Supreme Court of Florida and Florida Family Law have created general information packets regarding divorces for your reference and use.
Santa Rosa County OCRS
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Search this Santa Rosa County Court database for by last name, citation number, or clerk case number for civil, criminal, and traffic court records.
Family Law - Leon County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
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Please see below for our Forms & Assistance links. Read this information sheet for details. There are several divorce actions - simplified dissolution; dissolution of marriage with no children and no property; dissolution of marriage; and dissolution of marriage with children.
Divorce Information - Bay County Clerk of Court
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A Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) is an action to terminate the contract of marriage. Jurisdiction lies in the Family Law Division. These matters are governed by the laws of the State of Florida (Florida Statutes) and the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure.
Search Court Records - Manatee County Clerk
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The Florida Supreme Court has authorized the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller to provide the public with electronic access to many court records, indexes and dockets as well as non-confidential document images through this website as provided by law.
Certificates - Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County
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Marriage certificates prior to June 6, 1927 are obtainable from the Clerk of Court in the County where the marriage license was issued. Divorce certificates can only be issued for divorces occurring in Florida after June 6, 1927.
FAQ - Orange County Clerk of Courts Records Search
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icon. These documents can be requested by following the instructions on the case details screen. Every effort will be made by the Orange County Clerk of Courts to make the requested document(s) available within 2 business days from the request date.
Divorce FAQ | Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County
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Copies of a final judgment of dissolution of marriage filed in Palm Beach County are available from the Clerk's Records Service Center. You may obtain the Official Records book and page number by searching the Official Records online. Per Supreme Court order, images of these documents are not available online if they were filed after 2002. If your divorce was filed in another county or state, you must search the records in that county or state.
Official Records
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Pursuant to Florida Statute 28.2221 (5)(a) the Clerk is not authorized to post records on this site pertaining to military discharges, death certificates, or court records pertaining to Family, Juvenile, or Probate matters. If you wish to view a restricted image (with the exception of military discharges), you may do so in person at the Public Access Department. This marriage license application provides access to the marriage license index from 1982 to present.
Death Certificates - Florida Department of Health
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If you are a funeral director or an attorney, please provide the name of the individual you represent and their relationship to the decedent, along with your professional license number. Death certificate with cause of death (confidential for 50 years, VALID PHOTO IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED). Photo Identification: Copy of applicant’s valid photo identification is required: driver’s license, state identification card, passport, military identification card. Payment: Check or money order payable to Vital Statistics.
City of Tampa Cemeteries - Burial Search
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Tampa has many types of cemeteries run by private entities, churches, and other groups. Our department maintains only eight cemeteries within the City of Tampa, with over 40,000 burials. Today, the City does not have any spaces for sale. Spaces have been sold and deeded to individuals.
Boards & Committees • Town of Orange Park
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This is the request channel for Florida vital records, births, deaths, and marriages. If a link breaks, start from townoforangepark.com directly.
James Hendrickson
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James Hendrickson was stabbed to death and was found in the trunk of his vehicle. It appears the suspect was attempting to transport and discard the victim’s body when the vehicle became disabled and was found abandoned one block away from.
City-Owned Cemeteries | Search Burial Records | Real Estate Management
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The official website of the City of Tallahassee, Florida, a city which remembers its past while focusing on the future, a vibrant capital city: fostering a strong sense of community, cherishing our beautiful, natural environment, and ensuring economic opportunities for all our citizens.
Cemetery Records Search | City of Tampa
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Use this service to access the cemetery records search service for locating decedents in the cemeteries maintained by the City of Tampa.
Florida Counties
67 Florida counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net, top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Which Florida counties publish vital records information online
15 of Florida's 68 counties run their own online source for vital records information, based on what this directory indexes. Every other county is covered by the statewide systems listed above, click a county for its full records page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I order a Florida birth certificate?▼
Certified birth certificates for events in Florida are issued by the Official Florida Vital Records at www.floridahealth.gov. Requests can be made by mail, in person, or (in most cases) online through the state's authorized vendor. The county of registration may also be able to issue certified copies for recent local events.
How do I get a Florida death certificate?▼
Florida death certificates are issued by the Official Florida Vital Records; eligibility (next of kin, executor, legal representative) and ID documentation requirements are listed at www.floridahealth.gov. For deaths within the last year, the county clerk or local registrar where the death occurred can often issue a copy more quickly.
Can I look up a Florida marriage or divorce record online?▼
Florida marriage and divorce records are not generally available in a free, name-searchable online index. The Official Florida Vital Records (www.floridahealth.gov) handles certified copies; the underlying license/decree is filed with the county clerk or court that issued it, which is also a primary search point.
How long does it take to get a Florida vital record?▼
Standard Florida vital-record processing times vary from a few business days (in-person same-day at some county clerks) to several weeks for mailed requests. The Official Florida Vital Records publishes current turnaround times at www.floridahealth.gov. Expedited processing is usually available for an additional fee.
What ID do I need to order a Florida certified vital record?▼
The Official Florida Vital Records requires government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID) and proof of your relationship to the record holder, if applicable. The full list of acceptable ID and supporting documents is published at www.floridahealth.gov.