Ordering a certified copy of a birth certificate directly from the State of Florida? You'll need to decide whether to get a photocopy certification or a computer certification. It can get confusing figuring out the difference and which option you really need.
This blog post will explain photocopy and computer birth certificates in Florida. It will also discuss when you can and cannot use them. Additionally, it will provide guidance on how to obtain the correct certificate for your needs.
A certified photocopy from Florida's Vital Statistics Office is an official copy of the original birth registration document.
Certified photocopies show the same birth record as the original application kept by the state, like a photocopy of the original. They display more detailed information than a computer certification.
The key facts about Florida photocopy birth certificates:
So in a nutshell, photocopy certifications are best for getting an official copy of the original paper birth record for older births before 2004.
Computer certifications are generated digitally from Florida's electronic birth registration database instead of being photocopies of paper documents.
They contain basic facts about the birth like names, dates, and location. Unlike photocopies, computer certifications don't show images of actual paper records.
Here are the main things to know about Florida computer birth certificates:
So computer certifications are ideal for getting a fast, basic birth certificate copy that's officially accepted for legal purposes. They work for any birth year but don't provide photocopies of original documents as the older paper versions do.
Whether you should get a Florida photocopy or computer birth certification depends on a few key factors:
In general, photocopy certifications are best for genealogy research or if you want to see the actual paper document. Computer certifications work for most legal and travel needs.
The easiest way to ensure you get the right type of Florida birth certificate is to order online through a service like statevitalrecords.org. We make the process fast, convenient, and foolproof.
Some of the many values we offer at State Vital Records are:
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