Pasco County birth records are official documents from the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County. They cover every birth registered in Pasco County, Florida from 1917 to the present day.
Records from 1930 forward sit in the Pasco County system. Records from 1917 to 1929 sit at the state office in Jacksonville. Residents and family members can order certified copies for school, work, travel, and family research. The county offers three ways to get records: walk-in, mail, and online through VitalChek.
Office Locations in Pasco County
The Pasco County Health Department runs two offices that handle birth certificate requests. The county covers about 750 square miles. Two offices cut down on drive time for residents across the region. Each office has trained clerks who check your documents and process your order the same day you walk in.
New Port Richey Office (West Side)
The New Port Richey office serves residents on the west side of the county. This includes New Port Richey, Port Richey, Hudson, Spring Hill, Holiday, Trinity, and Tarpon Springs.
Address: 10841 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654
Phone: (727) 861-5260
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM daily.
Dade City Office (East Side)
The Dade City office serves residents on the east side of the county. This includes Dade City, Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel, San Antonio, and Lacoochee. Dade City is the county seat.
Address: 13941 14th Street, Dade City, FL 33525
Phone: (352) 521-1450
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM daily.
Who Can Order Pasco County Birth Records
Florida law limits who can get a certified birth certificate. The law is Florida Statute 382.025. It keeps birth records private for 125 years after the birth. Only certain people can order a certified copy.
The list of approved requesters includes:
- The person named on the record, if 18 or older
- The mother or father listed on the certificate
- A legal guardian with court papers
- The husband, wife, or domestic partner of the person on the record
- Adult children, grandchildren, or siblings of the person
- A lawyer working for anyone on this list
- A funeral home or licensed funeral director within 12 months of death
- Government agencies for official business
People who do not qualify can still get an informational copy. An informational copy has the same data but carries a watermark. The watermark says “Not for Legal Use.” Schools, employers, and other groups that just need to see the data can use this type of copy.
Three Ways to Order a Pasco County Birth Certificate
You can get Pasco County birth records in three ways. Each way gives you a legal certified copy. The choice depends on how fast you need the record and how much travel you want to do.
Walk-In Service
Walk-in service is the fastest way. You go to either Pasco office. You fill out the DH 726 form. You show your photo ID. You pay the fee. Most requests are ready the same day. The wait runs 15 to 45 minutes based on the line. Mondays and the day after holidays have the longest lines. Tuesday through Thursday mornings are the quietest times.
Bring these items for walk-in service:
- A valid signed photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or state ID)
- The $15 fee for the first copy (cash, check, or money order)
- Payment for extra copies at $6 each
- The full name on the birth record, date of birth, and parents’ names
Mail Request
Mail requests work for people who live out of state or far from an office. Download the DH 726 form from the Florida Department of Health website. Fill it out with a pen. Make a clear photocopy of your photo ID. Write a check or money order for $15 payable to “DOH-Pasco.” Mail all items to the office closest to you. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for processing. The certificate comes back by US Postal Service regular mail. There is no tracking number on standard mail.
Mail Address: DOH-Pasco, 10841 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654. East side residents can mail to 13941 14th Street, Dade City, FL 33525.
Online Order Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the only vendor the state of Florida allows for online birth record orders. Go to vitalchek.com and pick Florida Department of Health. The total cost for one standard copy runs about $26. That includes the $15 state fee plus an $11 VitalChek service fee. Shipping is included in the standard price. You can pay with a credit or debit card.
Standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days after processing. Rush options include:
- 2-day shipping for an extra $17.50
- Overnight shipping for an extra $24.50
VitalChek orders take 1 to 2 business days for the Florida DOH to process before shipping starts. Total time from order to door runs 6 to 9 business days for standard shipping.
DH 726 Form Details
The DH 726 form is the official application for a Florida birth certificate. The form asks for these items:
- Full name on the birth record
- Date of birth
- City or county of birth
- Full name of mother before first marriage
- Full name of father
- Your relationship to the person on the record
- Your reason for the request
- Your signature
You can fill out the form at the office. For mail requests, print the form from the Florida DOH website. Write clearly with blue or black ink. Mistakes on the form can slow down the process. If you do not know a parent’s full name, leave that line blank.
Accepted Photo ID
Pasco County accepts these forms of photo ID for birth certificate orders:
- Florida driver’s license or state ID
- Out-of-state driver’s license or state ID
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Military ID for active duty, retiree, or dependent
- Federal, state, or local government employee ID
- Student ID with photo and date of birth
- Concealed weapons permit
The ID must be current and have your photo and signature. Expired IDs get rejected. If your ID is expired, bring the expired ID plus a secondary document. Secondary documents include a utility bill, bank statement, or Social Security card.
Current Fees for Pasco County Birth Records
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $15 |
| Each additional copy in the same order | $6 |
| VitalChek online order (standard shipping) | $26 total |
| VitalChek 2-day shipping | $43.50 total |
| VitalChek overnight shipping | $50.50 total |
| Apostille for out-of-country use | $10 state fee |
Walk-in offices accept cash, checks, and money orders. The walk-in office does not take credit or debit cards. Bring the exact amount or a check to avoid issues. Online orders through VitalChek require a credit or debit card.
Processing Times by Method
| Method | Processing Time | Total Time to Receive |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-in | Same day | 15-45 minutes |
| 2-4 weeks | 3-5 weeks | |
| VitalChek standard | 1-2 business days | 6-9 business days |
| VitalChek 2-day | 1-2 business days | 3-4 business days |
| VitalChek overnight | 1-2 business days | 2-3 business days |
These times cover regular business days. Holidays add extra days. The main holidays that affect birth records are New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Rush and Expedited Service
Walk-in service is the only true rush option. Most walk-in orders are ready the same day. There is no extra fee for same-day service if you show up in person. The two walk-in offices in Pasco County can handle rush requests Monday through Friday during open hours.
For mail or online orders, VitalChek offers the only rush options. The state DOH does not offer a direct rush service. Florida birth records offices do not take walk-in rush orders after 4:00 PM. Plan to arrive before 4:00 PM for same-day walk-in service.
Correcting Errors on Pasco County Birth Records
Errors on a Pasco County birth certificate can be fixed. The process depends on the type of error.
Simple errors include misspellings, wrong middle initials, and small date errors. These can be fixed with a simple amendment. The form is the DH 743. You submit the form plus proof of the correct data. Proof can include a hospital record, baptismal certificate, school record, or Social Security record. The fee is $20. Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Major changes need a court order. These include:
- Changing the child’s name after age 1
- Adding or removing a parent
- Changing the date of birth by more than 1 year
- Changing the sex designation
For major changes, file a petition in the Pasco County Circuit Court. Get the court order signed by a judge. Send the order to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. They update the statewide record. The court process takes 30 to 90 days. The state update takes another 2 to 4 weeks.
Pre-1930 Records and Genealogy Research
Florida birth records from 1917 to 1929 are open to the public. The state of Florida registered births starting in 1917. Pasco County birth records from 1930 to present are still private under the 125-year rule. Records from 1917 to 1929 are available from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.
To get pre-1930 records, contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics:
Address: 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32231
Phone: (904) 359-6900
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The fee for older records is the same: $15 for the first copy. Allow 3 to 5 weeks for processing. For genealogy research on more recent records, you can request an informational copy once the 125-year seal expires. The seal lifts on January 1 of the 125th year after the birth.
Adoption Records and Amended Birth Certificates
Adopted people born in Pasco County can get a copy of their amended birth certificate. The amended certificate lists the adoptive parents as the legal parents. To get this record, the adopted person must be 18 or older. Adoptive parents can get the record for their minor child. The same DH 726 form works. The fee is the same $15.
Original birth certificates of adopted people stay sealed by court order. Only a court order can unseal the original record. The Pasco County Clerk of Court handles unseal requests. The Clerk’s office is at 38053 Live Oak Avenue, Dade City, FL 33525.
Apostille Service for Out-of-Country Use
Certified birth certificates from Pasco County work in foreign countries. Some countries need an apostille, which is a state seal that proves the document is real. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles.
To get an apostille, send the certified birth certificate plus a $10 fee to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Section, P.O. Box 6327, Tallahassee, FL 32314. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days. The apostilled certificate gets mailed back to you.
Office Contact and Hours
Both Pasco County offices take phone calls for questions. Call before you drive out to check hours, payment methods, and what to bring. Phone lines open at 8:00 AM and close at 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.
New Port Richey Office: 10841 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654. Phone: (727) 861-5260
Dade City Office: 13941 14th Street, Dade City, FL 33525. Phone: (352) 521-1450
Florida Department of Health Website: https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/birth-certificates/
Pasco County DOH Website: https://pasco.floridahealth.gov/certificates/birth-certificates/
Online Orders: https://www.vitalchek.com/v/birth-certificates/florida/florida-vital-statistics
Bureau of Vital Statistics (Jacksonville): 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32231. Phone: (904) 359-6900
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a birth certificate in Pasco County?
Walk-in requests at either Pasco County office are ready the same day, usually within 15 to 45 minutes. Mail requests take 3 to 5 weeks total. Online orders through VitalChek take 6 to 9 business days for standard shipping. Rush options cut the time to 2 to 3 business days. Add extra days around holidays. The Florida Department of Health does not process orders on weekends or state holidays. Plan ahead for school, job, or travel deadlines. The total time depends on the order method you choose and where you live.
Can I get a Pasco County birth certificate if I was born at home?
Yes. Home births must be registered with the Florida Department of Health. The midwife or doctor who attended the birth files the paperwork. If the birth was never registered, you can file a delayed birth registration. The state office in Jacksonville handles delayed registrations. You will need proof of the birth from medical records, school records, baptismal certificates, or affidavits from people who were there. The process can take several months to complete. Fees for delayed registration run higher than standard requests.
What if I do not know the exact date of birth?
You can still order a birth certificate if you do not know the exact date. The DH 726 form asks for the date, but the office can search by name and year. There is an extra $2 search fee if the office has to look up the record by name. Bring as much data as you can: full name, year of birth, hospital name, and parents’ full names. The more data you have, the faster the search goes. For older records, the state office in Jacksonville handles name searches.
Can I get a refund if the record cannot be found?
If no birth record exists for the person you are asking about, the office refunds the certificate fee. You do not get a certificate, but you get your money back. The VitalChek service fee is not refundable. The state keeps the service fee to cover the cost of the search. This rule applies to all three ordering methods: walk-in, mail, and online. Always double-check the data on your DH 726 form before you submit it to avoid search fees.
Are Pasco County birth certificates accepted in all U.S. states?
Yes. Florida birth certificates work in all 50 states. The state seal and registrar signature make the document legal nationwide. For use in foreign countries, some countries want an apostille in addition to the certificate. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles for a $10 fee. Send the certificate to the Division of Corporations Apostille Section in Tallahassee. Allow 5 to 10 business days for the apostille to be processed and mailed back.
Can I order a birth certificate for a deceased relative?
Yes. The law allows family members to order a certificate for a deceased person. You must be a parent, spouse, adult child, adult grandchild, adult sibling, or lawyer for one of these people. The funeral home that handled the burial can also order a copy for up to 12 months after the death. After 12 months, only family members can order. The same DH 726 form works for these requests. Mark the request type on the form to flag the death status.
What is the difference between a certified copy and an informational copy?
A certified copy has a raised state seal, the registrar signature, and a security paper background. It is the only copy that works for legal purposes. An informational copy has the same data but carries a watermark. The watermark says “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity.” Schools, employers, and agencies that just need to see the data accept informational copies. The fee is the same $15 for both types of copies. Always order a certified copy for passport, immigration, or license use.