St Lucie County birth records are official papers that show a person’s birth in Florida. The Florida Department of Health in St Lucie County handles these records.
People need these papers for school, jobs, passports, and family research. This page covers how to get a copy, what it costs, who can ask for one, and what to do if there is a mistake on the record.
DOH-St. Lucie Office Location and Hours
The main office for St Lucie County birth certificate requests sits in Port St. Lucie. This office is part of the Florida Department of Health. It serves everyone in the county, including people from Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and Tradition.
The address is 5150 NW Milner Drive, Port St. Lucie, FL 34983. The phone number is 772-462-3800. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It closes on state holidays. People can walk in without an appointment during open hours.
Who Can Request a St Lucie County Birth Certificate
Florida law limits who can get a certified copy of a birth record. St Lucie County birth records stay sealed for 125 years under Florida Statute 382.025. Only specific people can ask for a certified copy from the office.
The person named on the record can request their own copy if they are 18 or older. Parents listed on the birth record can also apply. Legal guardians need court papers that show their authority. Attorneys can ask for records on behalf of clients. Government agencies with proper paperwork can also request copies. A court order grants access to other people who do not fit these rules.
People who do not meet these rules can still buy an informational copy. This copy has the same data but carries a stamp that says it is not valid for legal use. It works well for family research or personal records.
Three Ways to Order a Birth Certificate in St Lucie County
In-Person Requests
Walking into the DOH-St. Lucie office is the fastest way to get a St Lucie County birth certificate. The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes from start to finish. Most people leave with their certificate the same day.
Bring a valid photo ID to the office. A driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military ID all work. Fill out form DH726 at the counter. Workers at the office can help with the form. Pay the fee with cash, check, or money order. The clerk prints the certificate right away.
The office does not require an appointment. People show up during business hours and get helped in order. Wait times stay short most days. The busiest times are mid-morning and after lunch.
Mail Orders
Mail orders work for people who live far from Port St. Lucie. The mail option also helps those who do not need the certificate right away. Processing takes two to three weeks from the day the office gets the request.
To order by mail, download form DH726 from the Florida Department of Health website. Fill it out completely. Include a clear photocopy of a valid photo ID. Write a check or money order to DOH-St. Lucie for the correct amount. Mail all items to the office address listed above. Do not send cash through the mail.
The certificate comes back through regular postal mail. The office does not provide tracking for standard mail orders. People who need tracking can pay extra for priority mail at the post office before sending the request.
Online Orders Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the only vendor the Florida Department of Health approves for online orders. The service runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People can order from home at any time using a computer or phone.
Go to the VitalChek website and select Florida birth certificates. Enter the data requested on the form. Pay with a credit or debit card. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the state fee. Standard delivery takes five to seven business days after processing. Rush processing costs an extra $10 and speeds up delivery.
Online orders cost more than in-person visits because of the service fee. People who need the certificate fast and cannot visit the office in person find this option useful.
Birth Certificate Fees in St Lucie County
The fee for a St Lucie County certified birth certificate follows the state schedule. Florida Statute 382.0255 sets these amounts. The first copy costs $9. Each extra copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $4.
The search fee is non-refundable. If the office cannot find a matching record, the money does not come back. People should double-check all spelling and dates before sending payment.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $9 |
| Each additional copy | $4 |
| VitalChek service fee | Varies by order type |
| Rush processing (online) | $10 extra |
| Expedited shipping | Set by carrier |
Cash, checks, and money orders work at the office counter. The office does not take credit or debit cards for in-person payments. VitalChek takes credit and debit cards for online orders only. People who want to pay by card at the counter should use the ATM inside the building and pay with cash instead.
What Documents You Need to Bring
Photo ID is required for all St Lucie County birth certificate requests. The office accepts several types of ID. Here is what counts as valid proof:
- Florida driver’s license or state ID card
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Military ID or veteran ID card
- Federal, state, or local government employee ID
- Certified school photo ID with transcript
Parents asking for a child’s record need their own ID plus the child’s ID if the child is old enough. Legal guardians must bring court papers that prove their status. Attorneys need a letter from their client and their bar ID. People without proper ID will be turned away for a certified copy.
Getting a Birth Certificate for a Passport
A certified St Lucie County birth certificate is the main document used for U.S. passport applications. The certificate must be the official state-issued version with a raised seal or stamp. Photocopies and informational copies do not work for passport applications.
The State Department requires the full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ names on the certificate. Older certificates that lack this data may cause problems. People applying for passports should check their certificate before submitting a passport application.
For a new passport, order the birth certificate at least six weeks before the passport appointment. Rush services help when travel dates are close. The expedited service through VitalChek delivers within a few business days for an extra cost.
Apostille Services for St Lucie County Birth Records
People who need to use a Florida birth certificate in another country often need an apostille. An apostille is a certificate the state attaches to prove the document is real. Florida issues apostilles through the Secretary of State office, not the county health department.
The process starts with getting a certified copy of the birth record from St Lucie County. Then send the certified copy to the Florida Department of State with an apostille request. The state charges a fee for each apostille. Processing takes about two to three weeks by mail.
Countries that belong to the Hague Convention accept apostilles. Countries that do not belong to the Hague Convention need a different process called authentication through the U.S. State Department. Check the rules for the destination country before starting the process.
Amendments and Corrections to Birth Records
Mistakes on a St Lucie County birth certificate can be fixed. Common errors include misspelled names, wrong dates, and missing parents. Florida Statute 382.016 covers the rules for making changes. The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville handles all amendments for the state.
Simple fixes like spelling errors need a form and supporting papers. A hospital record or baptismal certificate helps prove the correct data. The fee for a simple correction is set by the state. Processing takes four to six weeks.
Major changes need a court order. Adding a father’s name, changing a last name, or fixing the place of birth all require a judge’s approval. This process takes longer and costs more money. A new birth certificate is issued after the change is approved. The old record stays sealed.
False statements on birth certificate forms carry serious penalties. Florida Statute 382.026 makes it a felony to use fake data to get a birth certificate. The St Lucie County office checks all IDs carefully before releasing any records.
Genealogy Research Using St Lucie County Birth Records
Birth records older than 125 years become public records in Florida. These records help with family research. The Florida State Archives in Tallahassee holds older birth records for the whole state, including St Lucie County.
Researchers can also use the St Lucie County Clerk of Court office. This office keeps older records and indexes. Staff can help with searches by name and date. There is a small fee for each copy of an older record.
Online genealogy sites also have indexes of Florida birth records. These indexes help researchers find the right person before ordering a copy. Free and paid sites offer different levels of detail. The FamilySearch website is a free option with good coverage of Florida records.
Birth Certificate Replacement After Loss or Damage
Lost or damaged birth certificates can be replaced. The St Lucie County health department issues replacement copies. The fee is the same as the first copy fee, which is $9. The process follows the same steps as a new request.
People who lost their certificate can fill out form DH726 and mark it as a replacement. The new copy will have the same data as the original. The replacement serves all the same legal purposes as the first copy. There is no flag or note that shows a copy is a replacement.
For damaged certificates, bring the damaged copy to the office when possible. The clerk can verify the record faster with the damaged copy in hand. Damaged certificates that still show the raised seal can be returned to the person after the request is processed.
Mail Order Process Step by Step
Mail orders work for people who cannot visit the office. Here is the process in clear steps:
- Download form DH726 from the Florida Department of Health website
- Print the form and fill it out with black ink
- Make a clear photocopy of a valid photo ID
- Write a check or money order to DOH-St. Lucie for $9 or more
- Place the form, ID copy, and payment in an envelope
- Mail the envelope to 5150 NW Milner Drive, Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
- Wait two to three weeks for the certificate to arrive
People who need faster mail service can send the request by priority mail. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return mail. The office sends the certificate back through regular mail unless the requester provides a pre-paid express mail label.
Records Available for St Lucie County Cities
All cities in St Lucie County use the same health department office. Port St Lucie birth certificate requests go through the DOH-St. Lucie office in Port St. Lucie. Fort Pierce birth certificate requests use the same office. Residents from Tradition, St. Lucie West, and other communities also go to this office.
People born anywhere in Florida can order their birth certificate from this office. The statewide database lets any county health department pull up records from any county. The St Lucie County office can help people who were born in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, or any other Florida city.
Vital Statistics Office Compared to the Clerk of Court
The St Lucie County Clerk of Court handles court records, marriage licenses, and some older records. The Clerk does not issue certified birth certificates for recent births. The health department handles all birth certificate requests for people born in 1917 or later.
For genealogy research on records older than 125 years, the Clerk of Court may have useful indexes. The Clerk also has property records, divorce records, and other court papers. The two offices serve different purposes for people doing research.
Records for Adopted Children
Adopted children can get a new birth certificate that lists their adoptive parents. The original birth certificate stays sealed. Florida issues the amended certificate after the adoption is final.
Adopted adults can request a copy of their original birth certificate under Florida law. The request goes through the Florida Department of Health. There is a specific form and process for this request. The fees and rules differ from regular birth certificate requests.
Hospital Birth Registration in St Lucie County
Hospitals in St Lucie County file birth registration paperwork automatically. The hospital sends the data to the state within five days of the birth, as required by Florida Statute 382.013. Parents fill out the birth worksheet at the hospital before leaving.
Home births require the attending midwife or doctor to file the paperwork. The midwife must be licensed in Florida. The paperwork goes to the local health department for processing. Parents of home births should keep copies of all paperwork for their records.
Contact the St Lucie County Vital Records Office
For questions about St Lucie County birth records, contact the DOH-St. Lucie office directly. The staff can answer questions about forms, fees, and processing times. Phone calls are the fastest way to get answers during business hours.
Office: DOH-St. Lucie, Vital Statistics
Address: 5150 NW Milner Drive, Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
Phone: 772-462-3800
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Website: stlucie.floridahealth.gov
Frequently Asked Questions About St Lucie County Birth Records
These questions cover common concerns about getting birth certificates in St Lucie County. The answers reflect current Florida law and office procedures. People with unique cases should call the office for specific help.
How long does it take to get a birth certificate in St Lucie County?
In-person requests get processed the same day at the DOH-St. Lucie office. Most people leave with their certified copy within 30 minutes. Mail orders take two to three weeks from the day the office receives the request. Online orders through VitalChek take five to seven business days for standard delivery. Rush processing through VitalChek takes two to three business days. The exact time depends on the delivery method chosen.
Can someone else pick up my birth certificate for me?
Florida law does not allow third-party pickup for certified birth certificates. The person who signs the application must be the one who picks up the certificate. A valid photo ID is required at pickup. If the applicant cannot come in person, they should use the mail order option or VitalChek online service. These methods deliver the certificate directly to the applicant’s address.
What is the difference between a certified copy and an informational copy?
A certified copy has a raised seal or stamp from the state. It works for all legal purposes, including passports, school enrollment, and Social Security applications. An informational copy shows the same data but has a stamp marking it as not valid for legal use. Informational copies cost the same as certified copies in Florida. They work well for genealogy research, personal records, and display purposes.
Can I get a birth certificate if I was born in another Florida county?
Yes, the St Lucie County health department can pull up records from any Florida county. The statewide system lets any county office process requests for any county. The St Lucie office handles requests for people born in Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, Hillsborough, and every other Florida county. The fees and processing times stay the same regardless of where the person was born in Florida.
How do I fix a misspelled name on my birth certificate?
Simple spelling errors can be fixed through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The applicant must fill out an amendment form and provide supporting documents. A hospital record, school record, or baptismal certificate that shows the correct spelling helps prove the error. The fee is set by the state and processing takes four to six weeks. A new certificate is issued with the correct spelling after the amendment is approved.
Can I order a birth certificate for a deceased relative?
Family members of a deceased person can request a certified copy of the birth certificate. The requester must be a parent, child, sibling, or legal representative of the deceased. A death certificate may be required along with the regular application. Attorneys handling estate matters can also request copies with proper documentation. The same fees and processing times apply to requests for deceased family members.
What forms of payment does the St Lucie County office accept?
The DOH-St. Lucie office accepts cash, checks, and money orders for in-person payments. The office does not accept credit or debit cards at the counter. Checks and money orders should be made out to DOH-St. Lucie. VitalChek accepts credit and debit cards for online orders only, plus a service fee. People who want to pay by card should use the online VitalChek service.