State of Florida Vital Records
Original Florida Department of Health Building located in Jacksonville, FL
Vital Statistics consists of official records for
birth, death, fetal death, marriage, and dissolution of marriage (divorce).
These records are essential for just administration of our law and for
the protection of individual rights. In addition, the statistical data from
these records are of great value to public health and other agencies. You
may need certified copies of these records for:
- passports
- school entrance
- employment
- proof of citizenship
- governmental benefits
-
insurance
The need for accurate statistical
data on epidemics and the causes of death was instrumental in establishing our
present day vital statistics registration system. Before 1899, some cities
enacted city ordinances requiring the recording of vital events and provided
their own system for vital statistics. The City of Key West has the oldest
known records, dating back to 1865. A law was enacted in 1927 providing for the
centralization of marriage and divorce records. Currently, the Office of Vital
Statistics maintains approximately 21.5 million vital records.
