Hollywood City birth records are the official documents that show when and where a person was born in Hollywood, Florida, or anywhere else in the state. The Florida Department of Health keeps these records.
The Broward County Health Department’s Vital Statistics Office in Fort Lauderdale handles all requests from Hollywood residents. You can order a certified birth certificate in person, by mail, or online. This page covers the office address, phone number, fees, wait time, and the steps you need to follow.
What Hollywood City Birth Records Include
A Hollywood birth certificate has the full legal name of the person at birth. It shows the date of birth, the city or county of birth, and the hospital or birth location. The document lists the full names of the parents. It has a state file number. A raised or stamped seal makes the document legal for use in schools, courts, passport offices, and government agencies. Birth certificates in Florida follow the format set by the National Center for Health Statistics. Every state uses a similar layout so agencies across the country can read them.
Where to Order Hollywood Birth Records
Hollywood does not have its own birth certificate office. All requests for Hollywood birth records go through the Broward County Health Department, Vital Statistics Office. The office sits at 780 SW 24th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. The drive from Hollywood takes about 20 minutes on I-95 or US-1. The building has a public parking lot. Visitors walk in, fill out a short form, show photo ID, and pay the fee. The same office serves Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Davie, and other cities in Broward County.
| Office Name | Broward County Health Department, Vital Statistics |
|---|---|
| Street Address | 780 SW 24th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 |
| Main Phone | 954-467-4700 |
| Vital Statistics Phone | 954-467-4413 |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Early Closure | 3:00 PM on the third Thursday of each month |
| Website | broward.floridahealth.gov |
Hollywood Birth Certificate Office Hours
The Hollywood birth certificate office in Fort Lauderdale is open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The office closes for federal holidays. On the third Thursday of every month, the office closes at 3:00 PM. This early closure happens for a monthly staff meeting. The office opens at 8:00 AM sharp. Lines tend to be shortest right after opening and again after lunch, around 1:00 PM. The office serves walk-in customers on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment is needed for birth certificate requests.
Three Ways to Order a Hollywood Birth Certificate
Florida gives Hollywood residents three ways to order a birth certificate. All three ways give the same certified copy. The only differences are cost, wait time, and convenience. The three ways are in person, by mail, and online through VitalChek.
Order in Person at the Broward County Office
Walking into the Broward County Vital Statistics Office is the fastest way to get a Hollywood birth certificate. Most walk-in requests are filled the same day. Visitors fill out a one-page application. The form asks for the name on the birth record, the date of birth, the city of birth, and the names of the parents. Staff verify the request and print the certificate. The whole visit takes about 30 minutes during slow times and up to 90 minutes during busy periods.
The office accepts cash, checks, and money orders for in-person requests. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver’s license, state ID, or passport all work. Customers ordering a record for another person should bring proof of the relationship. A birth certificate for a child requires the parent’s ID plus the child’s ID if available.
Order by Mail
Mail-in orders take longer than in-person visits. They are a good choice for people who live outside Florida or far from Fort Lauderdale. To order by mail, download and print the application form from the Florida Department of Health website. Fill it out completely. Send a copy of your photo ID with the form. Make the check or money order payable to the Broward County Health Department. Mail everything to 780 SW 24th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315.
Mail orders take two to four weeks to arrive. The wait time depends on the volume of requests. Florida law requires hospitals and birth attendants to file new birth records within five days. Older records are already in the system. Mail requests do not get rush service from the county office. They go through the regular queue.
Order Online Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the only state-approved online vendor for Florida birth records. The website is vitalchek.com. Online orders work well for Hollywood residents who want to skip the office visit. The website walks you through the same form you would fill out in person. You pay by credit or debit card. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the state fee. Standard shipping takes 5 to 7 business days. Rush shipping takes 2 to 3 business days for an extra charge.
Online orders go through a secure payment portal. The certificate ships in a flat envelope. Tracking numbers come by email. The state of Florida chose VitalChek as the only approved vendor to protect residents from scam websites. Any other website selling Florida birth certificates is not approved.
Hollywood Birth Certificate Fees
The first certified copy of a Hollywood birth certificate costs $15. This fee comes from Florida Statute 382.0255. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $10. The extra copy savings add up fast for families who need copies for school, sports, and travel. The office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards for in-person visits. Mail orders only take checks or money orders. Online orders take credit and debit cards through VitalChek.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First certified copy (in person or mail) | $15 |
| Each extra copy (same order) | $10 |
| VitalChek online service fee | $8 to $17 extra |
| Rush shipping (VitalChek) | $15 to $25 extra |
| Amendment or correction | $20 to $50 |
Online orders through VitalChek cost more than in-person visits. The extra fee covers the cost of running the secure online system. The convenience of ordering from home makes the extra cost worth it for many Hollywood residents.
Hollywood Birth Certificate Wait Time
Wait time depends on how you order. In-person visits at the Broward County office produce the certificate the same day, often within 30 to 60 minutes. Mail orders take two to four weeks from the date the office receives your request. Online orders through VitalChek take 5 to 7 business days for standard shipping, or 2 to 3 business days for rush shipping.
Newborn birth records take a few days to show up in the state system. Florida hospitals and birth centers file birth records within five days. Parents can usually order a birth certificate starting about two weeks after the birth date. Calling the office before ordering a newborn certificate saves time. The state file number helps staff locate the record faster.
Same-Day and Expedited Hollywood Birth Certificates
The Broward County Vital Statistics Office offers same-day service for walk-in customers. Most requests are filled as you wait. Arrive early in the morning to avoid the longest lines. The office is busiest on Mondays and the day after holidays. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays tend to be slower.
Mail orders do not have an expedited choice through the county office. Online orders through VitalChek offer rush shipping for an extra fee. The rush choice ships the certificate through overnight or 2-day delivery. Florida does not offer a same-day mail choice. The only way to get a Hollywood birth certificate the same day is to visit the Fort Lauderdale office in person.
Who Can Order Hollywood Birth Records
Florida law controls who can order a certified birth certificate. The state uses Florida Statute 382.025. The person named on the record can order their own certificate if they are at least 18 years old. Parents, legal guardians, and grandparents can order copies. Spouses, children, and siblings of the person on the record qualify too. Attorneys and legal representatives can order copies for their clients with proper paperwork.
People who do not qualify for a certified copy can still get a non-certified copy. The non-certified copy has a stamp that says it is not for legal use. It works for family research, personal records, and school projects. Genealogists use non-certified copies to build family trees. The cost is the same as a certified copy.
Documents Needed for a Hollywood Birth Certificate
To order a Hollywood birth certificate, bring a valid photo ID. A Florida driver’s license, state ID, or US passport all work. Out-of-state residents can use their home state driver’s license. A US military ID or government-issued work ID also work. The name on the ID should match the name on the application form.
People who order certificates for a relative need extra documents. Parents bringing a child’s record need their own ID plus the child’s ID if the child has one. Spouses need a marriage certificate. Attorneys need a signed letter from the client and their bar number. Legal guardians need court papers that prove guardianship. Each extra document helps the office confirm the relationship.
Replacing a Lost Hollywood Birth Certificate
Lost birth certificates can be replaced through the same three ways. The application form asks for the reason for the request. Write “lost” or “replacement” in the reason box. You do not need to file a police report for a lost birth certificate. The state treats the request like any new order. The fee is the same $15 for the first copy.
Some Hollywood residents keep their original birth certificate in a fireproof safe or safe deposit box. A safe deposit box at a local bank adds an extra layer of protection. The replacement fee is small, so ordering a backup copy is a smart move for people who travel often or have school-age children who need the document for sports signups.
Correcting Errors on a Hollywood Birth Certificate
Errors on Hollywood birth certificates can be fixed. Common mistakes are misspellings, wrong birth dates, missing parent names, and incorrect hospital names. Small clerical errors can be corrected at the county level under Florida Statute 382.016. Larger changes like adding a father’s name or changing a child’s last name need a court order.
To correct a clerical error, fill out the Amendment Application from the Florida Department of Health. Send a copy of the original certificate with the form. Pay the $20 amendment fee. The state reviews the request and either approves or denies the change. Approved changes get a new certificate with a margin note that says it is an amended record.
Adding or removing a father’s name on a Hollywood birth certificate requires a court order. Parents who are not married at the time of birth can sign a Paternity Acknowledgment form. The form is available at the hospital after the birth or at the county health department. Adopted children need a court order to change the parent names on the birth certificate.
Hollywood Birth Records for Genealogy and Family History
Genealogy researchers use Hollywood birth records to build family trees. Records from before 1917 are not available from the state. The Florida State Archives in Tallahassee keeps older records. Records between 1917 and the present are open to the public. Genealogists can order non-certified copies of any Florida birth record with the right documents.
Hollywood residents whose grandparents or parents were born in Florida can use the state system to look up old records. The Florida Department of Health offers a genealogy search tool on its website. Researchers can search by name, date of birth, and county. Non-certified copies cost the same as certified copies. The genealogical record has the same data as the certified copy.
Hollywood Birth Certificate Apostille and Notarization
People who need to use a Hollywood birth certificate in another country need an apostille. An apostille is a certificate from the Florida Secretary of State that proves the document is real. Countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention accept apostilled documents. The apostille step is separate from the birth certificate request.
To get an apostille, first order a fresh certified copy of the birth certificate. Then send the certified copy to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, in Tallahassee. The apostille fee is $10 per document. The office fills apostille requests in about 5 to 10 business days. Same-day apostille service is available for an extra fee at the Tallahassee office.
Notarized copies of Hollywood birth certificates are different from certified copies. The Broward County office issues certified copies with a state seal. These are the only copies accepted for legal use in Florida and across the United States. A notarized copy is a copy signed by a notary public. Notarized copies do not have the same legal weight as certified copies.
Common Reasons Hollywood Residents Request Birth Certificates
Hollywood residents request birth certificates for many reasons. School enrollment for kindergarten and college requires a certified copy. The Hollywood public school system and Broward County Public Schools ask for birth certificates during the registration step. Sports leagues ask for birth certificates to prove the age of young athletes.
Passport applications need a certified birth certificate. The US State Department requires a birth certificate for first-time passport applications and renewals that do not meet the mail renewal rules. Marriage license applications ask for birth certificates. The clerk’s office uses the certificate to confirm the legal name of each partner.
Other common uses include job applications that require proof of citizenship, immigration paperwork, insurance enrollment, and Social Security card updates. Hollywood has a large senior population. Adult children often order birth certificates for aging parents to handle Social Security, Medicare, and pension paperwork.
Florida State Vital Records Office for Hollywood Residents
The Florida Department of Health runs the state vital records office in Jacksonville. Hollywood residents can use this office when the Broward County location does not fit their schedule. The state office keeps records from all 67 Florida counties. Any county health department in Florida can pull up records from any other county. Hollywood residents born in other parts of Florida can still use the Broward County office for in-person service. The state office phone is 904-359-6900. The mailing address is PO Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231. The state office fills requests by mail and through VitalChek only. There is no walk-in counter at the state office.
Hollywood Birth Certificate Office Contact Details
The Broward County Health Department’s Vital Statistics Office is the only place in Hollywood to get a birth certificate in person. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office closes at 3:00 PM on the third Thursday of each month. The mailing address for mail-in orders is the same as the physical address. VitalChek handles all online orders through its website at vitalchek.com.
Office Address: 780 SW 24th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Phone: 954-467-4700
Vital Statistics Phone: 954-467-4413
Website: broward.floridahealth.gov
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Official Website: https://broward.floridahealth.gov/
Office Location Map
Frequently Asked Questions About Hollywood City Birth Records
This FAQ section answers the most common questions Hollywood residents ask about birth records. The questions cover eligibility, fees, wait time, corrections, and genealogy. The answers reflect the rules set by the Florida Department of Health and Broward County Vital Statistics Office. Anyone with a question not covered here can call the vital statistics office at 954-467-4413. The office staff answer questions about birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce records. The same office handles amendment requests and genealogy searches. Hollywood residents who live outside Florida can use the mail choice or the VitalChek website for their requests.
How long does it take to get a Hollywood birth certificate?
In-person requests at the Broward County Vital Statistics Office are filled the same day, often within 30 to 60 minutes. The office hands the certified copy to the customer at the counter. Mail requests take two to four weeks from the date the office receives the application. Online requests through VitalChek take 5 to 7 business days for standard shipping and 2 to 3 business days for rush shipping. Newborn records take a few extra days to show up in the state system as hospitals have five days to file the record. Customers who need a newborn certificate should wait at least two weeks after the birth date before ordering. Customers who order by mail or online get tracking numbers by email. The tracking number lets you follow the package from the office to your mailbox. Call the office if the certificate does not arrive within the expected wait time. The office staff can check the order status and resend the certificate if it was lost in the mail.
What do I need to bring to the Hollywood birth certificate office?
Bring a valid photo ID. A Florida driver’s license, state ID, US passport, military ID, or out-of-state driver’s license all work. Customers who order a record for a relative need proof of the relationship. A spouse needs a marriage certificate. A parent needs the child’s ID. A legal guardian needs court papers. An attorney needs a signed letter from the client and the attorney’s bar number. Customers who pay by check should make the check payable to the Broward County Health Department. The office does not accept credit cards for mail orders, but does accept them for walk-in requests. Cash, checks, and money orders all work for walk-ins. The application form is available at the office. You can also download the form from the Florida Department of Health website and fill it out before you arrive. Filling out the form ahead of time saves 10 to 15 minutes at the counter. The form asks for the name on the record, the date of birth, the city of birth, and the names of the parents.
Can I get a Hollywood birth certificate if I was born in another state?
The Hollywood office through Broward County handles Florida birth certificates only. Customers who need a birth certificate from another state must contact that state’s vital records office. The National Center for Health Statistics website lists contact details for every state. Some states have online ordering through their own approved vendors. Hollywood residents born in New York, Texas, or other large states often need to contact those state offices directly. The Broward County office can help with the form layout, but the records themselves come from the state where the birth happened. Each state has its own fees, rules, and wait times. New York birth certificates cost $15 to $30. Texas birth certificates cost $22 to $47. California birth certificates cost $25 to $29. The fees and wait times change without notice, so call the state office before ordering. Some states have longer wait times than Florida. Out-of-state requests often take 4 to 8 weeks by mail. Online orders through state-approved vendors are faster for residents who need the document quickly.
How much does a Hollywood birth certificate cost?
The first certified copy costs $15 under Florida Statute 382.0255. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $10. The Broward County office charges the same fees as the state office. Online orders through VitalChek add a service fee of $8 to $17. Rush shipping through VitalChek costs $15 to $25 extra. The office accepts cash, checks, and money orders for in-person visits. Mail orders take checks or money orders. Online orders take credit and debit cards. The fees cover the cost of the certified copy and the office work to locate and print the record. Amendment fees are separate from the regular birth certificate fee. A name change correction costs $20. A paternity update costs $50. A full record change with court involvement can cost $100 or more. The office does not offer fee waivers for low-income customers. Some community organizations in Broward County help residents pay for vital records. Call 211 for a list of local assistance programs that may help with the cost of a certified birth certificate.
Can I get a Hollywood birth certificate for a deceased relative?
Yes, the Hollywood vital records office issues birth certificates for deceased relatives to eligible family members. Children, grandchildren, siblings, parents, and grandparents of the deceased can order the certificate. The applicant must show proof of the relationship and proof of the death. A death certificate, obituary, or funeral home document serves as proof of death. The fee is the same $15 for the first copy. Genealogists who are not related to the deceased can order a non-certified copy, which has a stamp that says it is not for legal use. The non-certified copy has the same data as the certified copy but cannot be used for legal paperwork. Florida death records from 1917 to the present are open to the public. Death records before 1917 are not available from the state. The Florida State Archives in Tallahassee keeps older death records. The state archives staff can help genealogy researchers look up old records for family tree projects. Death and birth records are often used together to prove family relationships for inheritance, insurance claims, and pension applications.
What is the difference between a certified and non-certified copy?
A certified copy has a raised or stamped seal from the Florida Department of Health. Government agencies, schools, courts, and passport offices accept certified copies. A non-certified copy has the same data but carries a stamp that says it is not for legal use. Non-certified copies work for family research, school projects, and personal records. The cost is the same. Customers who do not qualify for a certified copy can order a non-certified copy. Genealogists often use non-certified copies to build family trees. The state file number is the same on both copies. The only difference is the stamp and the legal weight. Many agencies require the most recent version of a certified copy. Documents older than one year are sometimes rejected by passport offices. A fresh certified copy is the safest choice for legal paperwork. Hollywood residents who need a birth certificate for a passport should order a new copy, not rely on an old one from a family safe. The Broward County office can verify an old certificate for a small fee if the seal has faded or the paper has been damaged.
How do I correct a mistake on a Hollywood birth certificate?
Small clerical errors like misspellings or wrong dates can be fixed with an Amendment Application. The application is available on the Florida Department of Health website. The fee is $20. Customers send a copy of the original certificate with the form. The state reviews the request and either approves or denies the change. Larger changes like adding a father’s name or changing a child’s last name need a court order. The court order goes to the state vital records office, which updates the record and issues a new certificate with a margin note. Adopted children need a court order to change parent names on the birth certificate. The court order must come from a Florida court or a court in the state where the adoption took place. The state vital records office keeps the original court order on file. Hollywood residents can start the amendment at the Broward County office, but the final approval comes from the state office in Jacksonville. The whole correction step takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date the state receives the request. Customers can check the status of the amendment by calling the state vital records office.