Lee County birth records are official papers that show a person was born in Lee County, Florida. The DOH-Lee Office of Vital Statistics in Fort Myers keeps these records and gives them out to approved requesters.
A Lee County FL birth certificate is needed for many life events. These events include applying for a passport, joining school, signing up for sports, getting a driver’s license, claiming insurance, and settling estate matters. The office puts a raised seal on each certified copy. That seal makes the copy legal in all 50 states and in most foreign countries.
Lee County sits on the southwest coast of Florida. It has more than 860,000 residents. The county seat is Fort Myers. Other cities in the county include Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, Estero, and Sanibel. Every birth record request from Lee County goes to one office in Fort Myers. The Florida Department of Health runs that office under state law.
Florida state law controls how the office works. State law says who can order a record. It sets the fees. It also says how long records stay private. Lee County follows the same rules as every other county in Florida. The county office shares a computer system with the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. That system holds every birth record filed in Florida since 1917.
Lee County Vital Records Office in Fort Myers
The main place to get a Lee County certified birth certificate is the DOH-Lee Office of Vital Statistics. The office is on the first floor of the Lee County Health Department building. The full address is 3920 Michigan Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33916. The main phone line is 239-690-2100. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes on state and federal holidays. The office stops taking new walk-in requests at 4:00 p.m. to close out the day’s work.
This office is part of the Florida Department of Health Lee County system. It serves people in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, and Sanibel. Anyone born anywhere in the state of Florida can use this office. You do not need to live in Lee County to order a record. You do not need to be a Florida resident. The office accepts requests from all 50 states and many foreign countries.
| Office | DOH-Lee, Office of Vital Statistics |
|---|---|
| Street Address | 3920 Michigan Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33916 |
| Phone | 239-690-2100 |
| Walk-In Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Mail-In Address | Same as street address |
| Payment at Office | Cash, Check, Money Order |
Three Ways to Order a Lee County Certified Birth Certificate
You can get a Lee County certified birth certificate in three ways. All three ways give you the same legal paper. The way you pick depends on how fast you need it and what is easy for you. The Lee County Florida certified copy of birth record looks the same no matter which method you choose.
Walk-In Service in Fort Myers
Walking into the Fort Myers office is the fastest way to get your record. Most walk-in requests finish the same day. You will fill out the DH726 form at the office. You must bring a valid photo ID. A Florida driver’s license, state-issued ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID all work. The clerk checks your ID and your form. You pay the fee with cash, check, or money order. You leave the office with your birth certificate in hand.
The Fort Myers office handles many requests each day. Wait times change based on the season. Lines are longer near holidays and at the start of the school year. Early morning visits tend to have shorter waits. The office serves residents of Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, and Estero who drive in for the service. Parking is free on site.
Mail Requests to Lee County
You can mail your Lee County birth certificate request to the Fort Myers office. You must send three things. First, send a finished DH726 form. Second, send a clear copy of your photo ID. Third, send payment in the form of a check or money order. Make the payment out to DOH-Lee. Mail the packet to 3920 Michigan Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33916.
Mail orders take about two to three weeks to process. The certificate comes back through the U.S. Postal Service. The processing time does not count mail time in transit. Total time from mailbox to mailbox is often three to four weeks. Mail requests are good for people who do not live near Fort Myers. The office does not send rush mail at the county level. Plan your time if you have a deadline. Use a trackable mail service to make sure your packet arrives.
Online Orders Through VitalChek
The state of Florida uses VitalChek for online orders. VitalChek is the only state-approved vendor for Lee County birth certificate online orders. You go to the VitalChek website and pick Florida. The system asks for the facts on the birth record. You upload a copy of your ID. You sign the form on screen. You pay with a credit or debit card.
Most online orders ship in five to seven business days. You can pay extra for rush shipping. Rush shipping can take one to three business days. The state base fee applies. VitalChek adds its own service charge on top of the state fee. Online orders ship through the U.S. Postal Service or through UPS. The choice depends on the shipping option you pick.
Who Can Request Lee County Birth Records
Florida keeps birth records private for 125 years. The Lee County birth record search checks your right to get the record. You cannot ask for any random birth record. You must have a legal connection to the person on the certificate. The office checks every request against the state list of approved requesters.
The legal list of approved requesters includes:
- The person named on the record, if 18 or older
- A parent listed on the certificate
- A legal guardian with court papers
- A current or former spouse with proof of marriage or divorce
- An adult child of the person on the record
- A grandparent of the person on the record
- An adult brother or sister of the person
- A lawyer who represents someone on the list above
- A funeral home or licensed agency working for the family
- A court or government agency with a legal order
You must show proof of your own identity. You must also show proof of your tie to the person on the record. The Lee County staff checks every request before processing it. If you are not on the list, the office will deny your request.
If you cannot get a certified copy, you may still get an informational copy. These copies have the same facts as the certified copy. They carry a stamp that says they are not for legal use. Many people use them for family tree work, school projects, or personal records. The state started allowing informational copies for people who do not meet the legal list. The fee is the same as a certified copy.
Lee County Birth Certificate Fees and Processing Time
The Lee County birth certificate fees follow Florida state law. The first certified copy costs $15. Each extra copy of the same record costs $7. You save money by ordering more than one copy at the same time. The fees are the same at every county in Florida. The state sets the price, not the county.
| Service Type | Fee | Processing Time | Where to Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| First certified copy (in person) | $15 | Same day | Fort Myers office |
| First certified copy (by mail) | $15 | 2 to 3 weeks | Mail to Fort Myers |
| First certified copy (online) | $15 plus VitalChek fee | 5 to 7 business days | VitalChek website |
| Each extra copy (in person) | $7 | Same day | Fort Myers office |
| Each extra copy (by mail) | $7 | Same time as first copy | Mail to Fort Myers |
| Rush shipping (online) | Extra charge | 1 to 3 business days | VitalChek website |
| Informational copy | $15 | Same as certified copy | All three methods |
The Lee County office takes cash, checks, and money orders. The office does not take credit or debit cards for walk-in service. VitalChek takes credit and debit cards for online orders. VitalChek adds a service fee of about $8 to $15 on top of the state fee. The exact service fee depends on the shipping option you pick.
The DH726 Form and Lee County Birth Certificate Application
The Florida Department of Health Lee County uses the DH726 form. This form is the Lee County Florida birth certificate form for all requests. You can pick up a paper copy at the Fort Myers office. You can also get the form online as a PDF download from the Florida Department of Health website. Many people print the form and fill it out at home before they visit the office.
The form asks for the full name on the birth record. It asks for the date of birth. It asks for the city or county of birth. It asks for the hospital name if known. It asks for the full names of both parents. The form also asks for your name, your address, and your tie to the person on the record. You must sign the form before you send or turn it in. The office will not process an unsigned form.
A small error on the DH726 form can slow down your request. The office checks every detail with the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. If the form has errors, the office sends it back to you. This can add weeks to your order. Use clear writing and double-check every box. The office staff can answer questions about the form by phone at 239-690-2100.
The DH1960 form is an older version of the same form. Some people still use the DH1960 because they have old packets. The Lee County office accepts both forms. The DH726 is the current form and the one you should use for new requests.
Lee County Birth Record Amendments and Corrections
You may need to fix something on a birth certificate. Common reasons include fixing a spelling error, correcting a parent’s name, or updating a date. The Lee County Health Department can start the amendment process. The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville makes the final call on every change.
Small changes cost less and take less time. These include fixing spelling errors, adding a middle name, or correcting a date. The fee is the same as a new certified copy. You will need a paper that proves the correct facts. Hospital records, school records, baptism records, census records, and Social Security cards all work as proof.
Big changes may need a court order. These include changing a legal name, adding a father, or removing a father. The court order must come from a Florida judge. The Lee County office will tell you what papers you need for your specific change. The amendment process can take 60 to 90 days from start to finish.
Florida has specific forms for common amendments. The DH743 form works for many name corrections. The DH511 form is the paternity acknowledgment form. The DH741A form works for paternity changes. The Lee County office can help you pick the right form for your situation. You can also call the state office in Jacksonville at 904-359-6900 for help with amendments.
Historical Birth Records in Lee County Florida
The Lee County office has records from 1930 to today. Florida started keeping state-wide birth records in 1917. Lee County was created in 1887. Lee County started keeping birth records on a county level in 1923. The state took over the records in 1930. Records from 1917 to 1930 may be in either the state office in Jacksonville or the Lee County office. The Lee County staff can check both systems.
For Lee County genealogy birth records, the State Bureau of Vital Statistics has older files. The address is 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The phone number is 904-359-6900. The state office handles all Florida birth records before county offices took over. The state office has the same rules about who can order a record.
You can also look at the Lee County Clerk of Court for old records. The clerk keeps court papers, marriage licenses, divorce records, and some old birth papers. The clerk’s office is at 2115 Second Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901. The clerk does not give out certified copies of birth records. You can look at records there for family tree work. The clerk charges a small fee for copies of old court records.
Family Search and Ancestry.com have indexed some Lee County birth records. These sites are good for finding the date and place of birth. They are not legal records. You still need a certified copy from the Lee County office for legal use.
Adoption Records and Paternity in Lee County
Adopted persons can get their original birth record from Florida. Florida law changed in 2023. Now adult adopted persons can ask for their original birth record. They can also get an updated birth record that shows their adoptive parents. The Lee County office can help you start this process. The fee is the same as a new certified copy. The process takes 60 to 90 days.
Paternity changes have their own process. A father can be added to a birth certificate after the birth. Both parents must sign a form. The DH511 form is the paternity acknowledgment form. Hospitals give this form to new parents right after birth. Parents can sign it at the hospital. Parents can also sign it later at the Lee County office. The form must be signed by both parents and notarized.
DNA testing can also add a father to a birth record. The court orders the test. The court then sends the order to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The Lee County office can tell you which path works for your case. A judge must approve the change before the state updates the record.
Removing a father from a birth record also needs a court order. The court must have proof that the man is not the biological father. The court sends the order to the state office. The Lee County office can give you the forms to start this process.
Apostille and Out-of-State Use for Lee County Birth Records
You may need an apostille for a foreign country. An apostille is a stamp that proves the document is real. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles. You must first get the certified birth record from Lee County. Then you send the certified copy to the state office in Tallahassee.
The state office address is 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. The fee is $10 per apostille. The process takes about two weeks. Some countries need more steps. The Lee County office can give you the right contact for your country. The U.S. State Department website has a list of countries that accept apostilles.
For countries that do not accept apostilles, you need a different process. The U.S. State Department must authenticate the document. The state office in Tallahassee can tell you the right path for your country. The Lee County office can answer basic questions about the process.
Records for Deceased Persons in Lee County
You can still get a birth record for a person who has died. The same rules apply. You must show your connection to the person. A death certificate can help prove the death. The Lee County office will not give the record to anyone not on the legal list. A family member on the legal list can still order the record after the person has died.
Genealogy researchers often need records for dead relatives. Florida keeps records private for 125 years from the date of birth. After 125 years, records become open to the public. For records still in the private period, you must meet the eligibility list. A family tree connection is not enough. You must be on the legal list of approved requesters.
The Lee County office can help you check if a record is in the open period. The office can also help you find a record at the state office in Jacksonville. The state office has records from 1917 to 1930. The state office is the right place for very old records.
Common Problems with Lee County Birth Certificate Requests
Many requests get sent back to the sender each month. The most common reason is a missing signature. The DH726 form must have your wet signature. Electronic signatures are not accepted by mail. Print the form, sign it with a pen, and mail it in.
Wrong names or dates also cause delays. The office checks every detail. If the name on the form does not match the name on the record, the office will not process the order. Call 239-690-2100 to check the details before you send your order. A five-minute phone call can save you weeks of waiting.
Some records are not in the Lee County office. Births that happened in another Florida county are in that county’s office. Births that happened in another state are in that state’s office. The Lee County office can only help with Florida births. The Lee County office cannot pull records from other states or from other countries.
Wrong payment is another common problem. Make checks payable to DOH-Lee. Do not send cash through the mail. Do not send a check made out to the wrong name. The office will return your packet if the payment is wrong. Mail the packet with a trackable service. UPS, FedEx, and USPS Priority Mail all work.
Time-Sensitive Needs and Passports
Many people need a birth certificate for a passport. The U.S. State Department accepts a Lee County certified birth certificate. The certificate must have a raised seal or a stamp. Informational copies are not accepted for passports. Make sure you order a certified copy.
You must order the birth certificate before you apply for the passport. Routine passport service takes 6 to 8 weeks. You can pay extra for faster service. Expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks. The birth certificate and the passport can come at different times. Plan ahead for travel. Give yourself at least 10 weeks for routine service and 4 weeks for expedited service.
The U.S. State Department has a list of accepted documents. The Lee County certified birth certificate is on the list. The certificate must show your full name, your date of birth, your place of birth, and your parents’ full names. The raised seal must be clear. A photo copy is not accepted.
Third-Party Authorization for Lee County Birth Records
You can send someone else to pick up your birth certificate. This person is your representative. They must have a signed letter from you. They must have their own photo ID. They must have a copy of your photo ID. The Lee County office must approve the representative.
The letter must say your name and the name on the birth record. It must say what the representative can do. It must have your signature and the date. Some people use a lawyer or a family member. The Lee County office has a sample letter you can copy from their website. The letter must be notarized in some cases.
The representative must be at least 18 years old. The representative must show their own ID at the counter. The clerk checks the letter, the ID, and the connection to the person on the record. The clerk keeps the letter on file. The clerk then hands over the certified copy.
Official Contact Information and Location
Use these details to reach the right office for Lee County birth records. The DOH-Lee Office of Vital Statistics serves all of Lee County.
DOH-Lee Office of Vital Statistics
3920 Michigan Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33916
Phone: 239-690-2100
Walk-In Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Official Website: https://lee.floridahealth.gov/
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics (for records before 1930, amendments, and adoption records):
1217 N Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: 904-359-6900
Lee County Clerk of Court (for historical court records, marriage licenses, and old birth records):
2115 Second Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: 239-533-5000
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Florida Department of Health State Office (for amendments, apostilles, and statewide records):
Official Website: https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common situations people face when they order Lee County birth records. The answers reflect the latest Florida law and the current DOH-Lee office rules as of 2026. Each answer gives you the facts you need to finish your request without delays or extra trips to the office.
How long does it take to get a Lee County birth certificate by mail?
Mail orders to the Fort Myers office take about two to three weeks to process once the packet arrives. This time does not count the time the mail takes to reach the office. Many orders take closer to three weeks when you count the mail in both directions. Plan ahead for deadlines. Walk-in service is faster for people who live near Fort Myers. Online orders through VitalChek take five to seven business days. Rush shipping from VitalChek can take one to three business days. The mail order time cannot be sped up at the county level. The Lee County office processes mail requests in the order they arrive. There is no way to skip the line. The fastest mail option is to send your packet through USPS Priority Mail or UPS. The office does not take requests by fax or email.
Can I get a Lee County birth certificate if I was born at home?
Yes, home births in Florida are filed with the state. The midwife or doctor files the birth record. The Lee County office can pull the record and issue a certified copy. You follow the same steps as a hospital birth. The home birth must have been registered with the state. If the home birth was never registered, you must file a delayed birth record. This is a different form and process. The DH160 form is the delayed birth record form. You will need proof of the birth. This can be a baptism record, a school record, a census record, or statements from people who were there. The Lee County office can help you start a delayed birth record. The process can take 60 to 90 days. The fee is the same as a new certified copy.
What if I was born in Lee County but now live in another state?
You can still order your birth certificate from the Lee County office. You do not need to live in Florida. The mail order system works for people anywhere in the United States. Online orders through VitalChek ship anywhere in the world. You must still show your ID and your connection to the person on the record. Many former Florida residents use the mail or online system. The VitalChek system lets you upload your ID and sign the form on screen. The Lee County office will mail the certified copy to any U.S. address. The office can also ship to most foreign addresses. The shipping fee depends on the address and the speed you pick. Most foreign orders ship through USPS or UPS.
How do I correct a name on a Lee County birth certificate?
You file an amendment with the Lee County office. Small spelling errors are the easiest to fix. You need a paper that proves the correct spelling. This can be a school record, a Social Security card, a hospital record, or a baptism record. Big changes need a court order. Florida has a form called DH743 for some name changes. The fee is the same as a new copy. The office checks every request with the state office in Jacksonville. The amendment process can take 60 to 90 days from start to finish. You will get a corrected copy in the mail when the state approves the change. The office keeps the old record on file. You can order copies of the corrected record the same way you order any other birth certificate.
Can I get a Lee County birth certificate for a grandparent?
Yes, grandparents are on the legal list. You must show your own ID. You must also show your connection to the grandchild. A parent of the grandchild can help. The grandparent must be on the list of approved requesters. Florida allows grandparents to ask for birth records. You will need a paper that shows the family tie. This can be a birth certificate, a school record, or a court record. If the grandchild is also your child, you only need to show your own birth certificate. If the grandchild is from another branch of the family, you may need more papers. The Lee County office will tell you what you need for your case.
Does the Lee County birth certificate have a raised seal?
Yes, certified copies from Lee County have a raised seal. This seal is what makes the copy legal. Informational copies do not have the raised seal. They are stamped to show they are not for legal use. The raised seal is what passport offices, schools, and other agencies need. Make sure you order a certified copy if you need it for legal work. The raised seal is printed into the paper at the time the copy is made. The seal has the Florida state seal and the DOH-Lee office name. The seal is part of the security features of the document. A copy of a certified copy is not the same as a certified copy. Order a new certified copy each time you need one for legal use.
What is the difference between a certified copy and an informational copy?
A certified copy has a raised seal and works for legal use. An informational copy has the same facts but no legal power. The state marks it with a stamp. Certified copies cost $15 for the first one and $7 for each extra copy. Informational copies cost the same as certified copies. You can only get an informational copy if you do not meet the rules for a certified copy. Most people need a certified copy. Informational copies are good for family tree work, school projects, and personal records. The Lee County office will tell you which copy you can get based on your connection to the person on the record.
For help with your specific request, call the DOH-Lee Office of Vital Statistics at 239-690-2100. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The staff can answer questions about forms, fees, and processing times. You can also visit the official website at https://lee.floridahealth.gov/ for the latest forms and office updates. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville can help with records before 1930, amendments, and adoption records at 904-359-6900.