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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.
Amendments and Other Birth Records
Contact us
- 850-833-9255
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Mailing Address
221 Hospital Drive NE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 35248
Hours Open
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Amendments
A non-refundable fee of $20.00 (which includes one certification of the record) is required by Florida law.
The required Affidavit of Amendment to Certificate of Live Birth, DH Form 430 must be signed before a notarizing official by a registrant who is at least 18 years of age or if disability of nonage has been removed and the registrant provided proof of such removal; or if under the age of 18, by his or her parent(s) named on the certificate or guardian or agency having legal custody of the registrant.
If amendment is to the child’s name and the child is under the age of 18, both parents (if both named on the birth record) must sign the required affidavit before a notarizing official. If both parents not willing or available, the name can only be amended pursuant to court order.
If a birth record contains errors, it may be possible to correct the record. Depending on the type of correction and the age of the registrant, documentary evidence may be required to support the correction. If the correction is to the name of a minor child, the signatures of both parents, if listed on the original birth record, are required.
• Instructions for Amending a Certificate of Live Birth (PDF 159 KB)
• Application to Amend (PDF 302 KB)
• Affidavit of Amendment of Certificate of Live Birth (PDF 33 KB)
Katherine's Law
In 2006, Florida's governor signed into law legislation that allows for the issuance of a certification for a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth. This law, section 382.0085, Florida Statutes, is known as Katherine's Law. Florida is the 14th state to implement such a law.The Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth is not proof of live birth and may not be used to establish identity. Gestation must be 20 weeks or more, and there must be a fetal death certificate on file with the Florida Office of Vital Statistics in order for a stillbirth certificate to be prepared. The information included on the stillbirth certificate comes from the fetal death certificate.
Issuance is from the State Office of Vital Statistics only; county offices cannot issue this certificate. An informational brochure is available for the funeral director, physician, medical examiner, hospital, and parents.
Putative Father Registry
The purpose of the Putative Father Registry is to permit a man alleging to be the biological father of a child to assert his parentage, independent of the mother, and preserve his rights as a parent.A Florida Putative Father Registry Claim is done without the consent or involvement of the mother. The registry is where the putative father claim is filed and recorded. The putative father’s name is not added to the birth record. Should the child be placed for adoption, the putative father must be named a party to the adoption proceedings.
Apostille Certificates
Apostille birth certificates are those prepared to give to foreign countries.The following situations are examples of when an Apostille birth certificate could be required.
• Transferred by your employer to a foreign country
• Wanting to marry in a foreign country
• Adopting a child in a foreign country
Need an Apostille Application? Learn more about the steps you must take to apply for and obtain an Apostille Certificate.
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