VITAL STATISTICS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
LOCATIONS and HOURS
Vital Statistics Information: 813-307-8002
Main Vital Statistics Office
13601 North 22nd Street
Tampa, Florida 33613
Located at Fletcher Avenue and 22nd Street – Behind the BP gas station
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Monday through Friday
Satellite Vital Statistics Offices
St. Joseph's Womens Hospital
3030 Dr. Martin L. King Blvd
Tampa, FL 33607-6308
Inside the hospital, located directly across from the cafeteria (1st floor)
Counter hours – 8 AM – 4 PM – Monday through Friday
Oakfield Medical Plaza
212 So. Moon Avenue
Brandon
, Florida 33511
Located directly across the street from the entrance to the Brandon Hospital Women’s Center.
Counter hours - 8 AM – 4 PM – Monday through Friday
BIRTH CERTIFICATES
In case I decide to write in for a birth certificate, what is your mailing address?
Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 5135
Tampa, Florida 33675-5135
Can I request a birth certificate by fax?
Yes. You can print an application, fill it out in its entirety, and fax it along with your unexpired valid State Identification card to: 813-903-3370. Requests received before 12 noon are mailed out the same day. There is a $10.00 expedite fee for this request. Only Visa / MasterCard accepted for this service.
What do I have to include when mailing in for a birth certificate?
You can print an application or enclose a letter stating the Registrants name, date of birth, county of birth, mother’s maiden name and father’s name. Include a copy of your identification, preferable a State issued license or identification card. Birth Certificates are $14.00 for the first copy and $9.00 for each additional copy of the same certificate purchased at the same time. We accept only certified check or money orders.
ELIGIBILITY
Certificates can be issued only to the registrant (the child named on the record) if of legal age, (18) parent, guardian, or legal representative or one of those persons or by court order. In the case of a deceased registrant, upon receipt of the death certificate or the decedent, a certificate of the birth certificate can be issued to the spouse, child, grandchild, sibling, if of legal age, or to the legal representative of any of these persons as well as to the parent.
Do I need proper identification when purchasing a birth certificate for my child?
Definitely, below are the acceptable forms:
ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION:
STATE DRIVER’S LICENSE
STATE IDENTIFICATION CARD
PASSPORT
MILITARY ID
What years do you have available for Birth Certificates?
Locally we have birth certificates for the years 1917 to present.
How do I go about correcting or amending a birth certificate?
There are different types of amendment forms, please call us and we will mail you the appropriate forms.
How do I ADD a father's name on a birth certificate?
If the mother was unwed at the time of the child’s birth, the father’s name may be added to his child’s birth records through a voluntary Acknowledge of Paternity Affidavit, DH 432.
How do I CHANGE a father's name on a birth certificate?
If the mother was legally married at the time of the child’s birth or a different man is already listed on the birth record, then a court order determining paternity must be submitted where all three parties have been properly notified of the proceedings.
How do I REMOVE a father's name on a birth certificate?
Florida Statutes require a court order to delete a father’s name on a birth record.
If I had a child in Florida, which I gave up for adoption, how can I get that child’s birth record?
Contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, Florida, their number is 904-359-6900, Ext. 9001.
Do Florida Vital Record certifications have a raised seal?
Florida vital record certifications have an embossed seal of the State of Florida. By running thumb and forefinger over the seal, a slight raise can be felt. The absence of a highly raised seal, in no way diminished the authenticity or validity of Florida vital record certifications. Florida vital record certifications are accepted by all state and federal agencies.
DEATH CERTIFICATES
What years do you have available for death certificates?
Presently, we have Hillsborough County death certificates for the years 2010 to present.
What information do I need to get a death certificate?
You can print an application or enclose a letter stating the decedent’s name, date of death, your relationship to the decedent. If you require the cause of death, please enclose a copy of your identification. Death certificates are $10.00 each. We do not accept personal checks.
ELIGIBILITY
Death records with the cause of death information may only be issued to the following individuals: the decedent’s spouse or parent; to the decedent’s child, grandchild or sibling, if of legal age; to any person who provides a will, insurance policy or other document that demonstrates his or her interest in the estate of the decedent, or to any person who provides documentation that he or she is acting on behalf of any of the above named persons, All requests for certification of a death certificate that includes the cause of death information must include signature of the applicant, state his or her qualifying eligibility, or a notarized Affidavit to Release Cause of Death Information (DH Form 1959), which is available upon request.
Can I fax a request for a death certificate?
Yes. You can print an application, fill it out in its entirety, fax it along with your unexpired valid State Identification card to: 813-903-3370. Requests received before 12 noon are mailed out the same day. There is a $10.00 expedite fee for this request.
What places require death certificates WITHOUT the cause of death?
Courthouse
Title Companies
Credit Card Companies
Real Estate Taxes
Property Claims
Vehicle Transfers
Closing out bank accounts
What places require death certificates WITH the cause of death?
Life Insurance Companies
Can anyone purchase a copy of a death certificate with cause of death?
Anyone (18 & Over) can purchase a death certificate without the cause of death, but only persons listed above under the eligibility can purchase a death certificate with the cause of death.
What is the usual waiting time if I come in person?
It takes approximately 10-20 minutes
What is the usual processing time if I mail in my request?
From 7 - 10 working days
Can I order a birth or death certificate by phone, or online and have the certificate sent Federal Express?
Yes, we have a private firm, VitalChek, that accepts all major credit cards.
Their telephone number is: 866-830-1906
Web Site Orders: www.vitalchek.com
Vitalchek charges an additional fee for using this service.
If faster delivery is required, you may request to have the certified copy sent by Federal Express. Please state this when placing the order. Additional fees will apply.
DISCLAIMER: Immediate payment to VitalChek is required, but your faxed documents must be legible in order for your request to be processed. If your documents are not legible, VitalChek will contact you to resend legible documents. The Hillsborough County Health Department is unable to assist you until we receive legible documents from VitalChek. If you have any problems with your application, you must first contact VitalChek at 1-800-255-2414.
FEES:
Computer Birth Certificates……………………………………...…
$14.00
Additional copies of the same certificate purchased at the same time…$
9.00
Death Certificates (University Site Only)..........……………………..
$10.00
Plastic Sleeves (Cover for Birth Certificate) ………………………....$
3.00
Expedite Request (mailed within 24 hours of receipt)…………………$10.00
Where can I call to get more information?
Telephone - 813-307-8002
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY VITAL STATISTICS DOES NOT HANDLE MARRIAGE LICENSES, DIVORCE, PROBATE, WILLS OR SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS.
Social Security Office: 800-772-1213
Courthouse (Marriage/Divorce/Probate/Wills): 813-276-8100
Medical Examiner's Office (Autopsy Reports): 813-914-4500
Bureau of Vital Statistics – Jacksonville, FL.: 904-359-6900
