382.002 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term:
(1) “Burial-transit permit” means a permit issued by the department that authorizes the final disposition of a dead body.
(2) “Certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth” means a certificate issued to record and memorialize the birth of a stillborn child.
(3) “Certification” or “certified” means a document containing all or a part of the exact information contained on the original vital record, and which, when issued by the State Registrar, has the full force and effect of the original vital record.
(4) “Certified homeless youth” means a minor who is a homeless child or youth, including an unaccompanied youth, as those terms are defined in 42 U.S.C. s. 11434a, and who has been certified as homeless or unaccompanied by:
(a) A school district homeless liaison;
(b) The director of an emergency shelter program funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, or the director’s designee; or
(c) The director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, or the director’s designee.
(5) “Dead body” means a human body or such parts of a human body from the condition of which it reasonably may be concluded that death recently occurred.
(6) “Department” means the Department of Health.
(7) “Dissolution of marriage” includes an annulment of marriage.
(8) “Fetal death” means death prior to the complete expulsion or extraction of a product of human conception from its mother if the 20th week of gestation has been reached and the death is indicated by the fact that after such expulsion or extraction the fetus does not breathe or show any other evidence of life such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles.
(9) “Final disposition” means the burial, interment, entombment, cremation, removal from the state, anatomical donation, or other authorized disposition of a dead body or a fetus as described in subsection (8). In the case of cremation, dispersion of ashes or cremation residue is considered to occur after final disposition; the cremation itself is considered final disposition. In the case of anatomical donation of a dead body, the donation itself is considered final disposition.
(10) “Funeral director” means a licensed funeral director or direct disposer licensed pursuant to chapter 497 who first assumes custody of or effects the final disposition of a dead body or a fetus as described in subsection (8).
(11) “Legal age” means a person who is not a minor, or a minor who has had the disability of nonage removed as provided under chapter 743.
(12) “Live birth” means the complete expulsion or extraction of a product of human conception from its mother, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy, which, after such expulsion, breathes or shows any other evidence of life such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, and definite movement of the voluntary muscles, whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached.
(13) “Medical examiner” means a person appointed pursuant to chapter 406.
(14) “Nonviable birth” means an unintentional, spontaneous fetal demise occurring after the completion of the 9th week of gestation but prior to the 20th week of gestation of a pregnancy that has been verified by a health care practitioner.
(15) “Physician” means a person authorized to practice medicine, osteopathic medicine, or chiropractic medicine pursuant to chapter 458, chapter 459, or chapter 460.
(16) “Registrant” means the child entered on a birth certificate, the deceased entered on a death certificate, and the husband or wife entered on a marriage or dissolution of marriage record.
(17) “Stillbirth” means an unintended, intrauterine fetal death after a gestational age of not less than 20 completed weeks.
(18) “Vital records” or “records” means certificates or reports of birth, death, fetal death, marriage, dissolution of marriage, name change filed pursuant to s. 68.07, and data related thereto.
(19) “Vital statistics” means a system of registration, collection, preservation, amendment, and certification of vital records, the collection of other reports required by this act, and activities related thereto, including the tabulation, analysis, and publication of data obtained from vital records.
382.003 Powers and duties of the department.—The department shall:
(1) Establish an Office of Vital Statistics under the direction of a State Registrar for the uniform and efficient registration, compilation, storage, and preservation of all vital records in the state.
(2) Procure the complete registration of all vital records in each registration district and in the Office of Vital Statistics.
(3) Uniformly enforce the law throughout the state.
(4) Establish registration districts throughout the state, which districts may be consolidated or subdivided to facilitate registration.
(5) Appoint a local registrar of vital statistics for each registration district in the state.
(6) Investigate cases of irregularity or violation of law, and all local registrars of vital statistics shall aid the department in such investigations. When necessary, the department shall report cases of violations of any of the provisions of this chapter to the state attorney in the registration district in which the violation occurs.
(7) Approve all forms used in registering, recording, certifying, and preserving vital records, or in otherwise carrying out the purposes of this chapter, and no other forms shall be used other than those approved by the department. The department is responsible for the careful examination of the certificates received monthly from the local registrars and marriage certificates and dissolution of marriage reports received from the circuit and county courts. A certificate that is complete and satisfactory shall be accepted and given a state file number and considered a state-filed record. If any such certificates are incomplete or unsatisfactory, the department shall require further information to be supplied as may be necessary to make the record complete and satisfactory. All physicians, midwives, informants, or funeral directors, and all other persons having knowledge of the facts, are required to supply, upon a form approved by the department or upon the original certificate, such information as they may possess regarding any vital record.
(8) Prepare and publish an annual report of vital statistics and such other reports as may be required.
(9) Appoint one or more suitable persons to act as subregistrars, who shall be authorized to produce and maintain paper death certificates and fetal death certificates and to issue burial-transit permits in and for such portions of one or more districts as may be designated. A subregistrar may be removed from office by the department for neglect of or failure to perform his or her duty in accordance with this chapter.
(10) Accept, use, and produce all records, reports, and documents necessary for carrying out the provisions of this chapter, in paper or electronic form, and adopt and enforce all rules necessary for the acceptance, use, production, issuance, recording, maintenance, and processing of such records, reports, and documents, and for carrying out the provisions of ss. 382.004-382.0135 and ss. 382.016-382.019.
(11) By rule require that forms, documents, and information submitted to the department in the creation or amendment of a vital record be under oath.
History.—ss. 1, 4, 18, 23, 24, ch. 6892, 1915; RGS 2068, 2071, 2088, 2093, 2094; CGL 3268, 3271, 3288, 3293, 3294; ss. 1, 15, ch. 25372, 1949; s. 1, ch. 67-312; ss. 11, 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 73-300; s. 24, ch. 73-334; ss. 99, 112, 116, ch. 77-147; s. 2, ch. 87-387; s. 662, ch. 95-148; s. 88, ch. 97-237; s. 197, ch. 99-13; s. 14, ch. 99-397; s. 8, ch. 2001-53; s. 5, ch. 2009-57; s. 2, ch. 2015-105.
Note.—Consolidation of former ss. 382.01, 382.031, 382.04, 382.32, 382.37, 382.38.
382.004 Reproduction and destruction of records.—
(1) The department is authorized to photograph, microphotograph, reproduce on film, or reproduce by electronic means vital records in such a manner that the data on each page are in conformity with the original record.
(2) The department is authorized to destroy any of the original vital records after they have been photographed or reproduced in conformity with the original record and after approval for destruction in accordance with chapter 257.
(3) Photographs, microphotographs, or reproductions of any record in the form of film, prints, or electronically produced certifications made in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and certified by the department shall have the same force and effect as the originals thereof, shall be treated as originals for the purpose of their admissibility and shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
(1) Each local registrar is charged with the strict and thorough enforcement of the provisions of this chapter and rules adopted hereunder in his or her registration district, and shall make an immediate report to the department of any violation or apparent violation of this law or rules adopted hereunder.
(2) Each local registrar must electronically file all live birth, death, and fetal death records within their respective jurisdictions in the department’s electronic registration system. If the department’s electronic registration system is unavailable, the local registrar must file a paper record with the department.
(3) Each local registrar must make blank forms available if the department’s electronic registration system is unavailable, and must examine each paper certificate of live birth, death, or fetal death when presented for registration in order to ascertain whether it has been completed in accordance with this chapter and adopted rules. All paper birth, death, and fetal death certificates must be typewritten in permanent black ink, and a paper certificate is not complete and correct if it does not supply each item of information called for or satisfactorily account for its omission.
(4) The local registrar or his or her deputy, if authorized by the department, shall sign as registrar in attestation of the date of registration of any paper records filed, and may also make and preserve a local paper record of each birth, death, and fetal death certificate registered by him or her, in such manner as directed by the department. The local registrar shall transmit daily to the department all original paper certificates registered. If no births, deaths, or fetal deaths occurred in any month, the local registrar or deputy shall, on the 7th day of the following month, report that fact to the department on a form provided for such purpose.
(5) Each local registrar, immediately upon appointment, shall designate one or more deputy registrars to act on behalf of the local registrar.
History.—ss. 4, 19, 23, ch. 6892, 1915; RGS 2072, 2089, 2092; CGL 3272, 3289, 3292; s. 16, ch. 25372, 1949; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 114, ch. 77-147; s. 4, ch. 87-387; s. 663, ch. 95-148; s. 90, ch. 97-237; s. 4, ch. 2023-71.
Note.—Consolidation of former ss. 382.05, 382.33, 382.36.
382.006 Burial-transit permit.—
(1) The funeral director who first assumes custody of a dead body or fetus must obtain a burial-transit permit before final disposition and within 5 days after death. The funeral director shall provide the electronic burial-transit permit generated from the electronic death registration system, or a manually produced permit, to the person in charge of the place of final disposition.
(2) A burial-transit permit shall be issued by the department or the local registrar or subregistrar of the registration district in which the death occurred or the body was found. A burial-transit permit may not be issued:
(a) Until a complete and satisfactory certificate of death or fetal death is filed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and adopted rules, unless the funeral director provides adequate assurance that a complete and satisfactory certificate will be so registered.
(b) Except under conditions prescribed by the department, if the death occurred from some disease that is deemed by the department to be infectious, contagious, or communicable and dangerous to the public health.
(3) The funeral director shall deliver the burial-transit permit to the person in charge of the place of final disposition, before interring or otherwise disposing of the dead body or fetus within this state; or when transported to a point outside the state, the permit shall accompany the dead body or fetus to its destination.
(4) A burial-transit permit issued under the law of another state or country, or a certification of a death certificate issued under the law of a state or country that does not issue burial-transit permits, which accompanies a dead body or fetus brought into this state shall be authority for final disposition of the dead body or fetus in this state.
(5) Rules of the department may provide for the issuance of a burial-transit permit prior to the filing of a certificate of death or fetal death upon conditions designed to assure compliance with the purposes of this chapter in cases in which compliance with the requirement that the certificate be filed prior to the issuance of the permit would result in undue hardship.
(6) For manually filed paper death records, the subregistrar in the licensed funeral or direct disposal establishment is responsible for producing and maintaining death and fetal death certificates and burial-transit permits in accordance with this chapter.
(7) The department may adopt rules to implement this section.
382.007 Final dispositions prohibited without burial-transit permit; records of dead bodies disposed.—A person in charge of any premises on which final dispositions are made shall not inter or permit the interment or other disposition of any dead body unless it is accompanied by a burial-transit permit. Such person shall enter upon the permit the date of final disposition. He or she shall keep a record of all dead bodies buried or otherwise disposed of on the premises under his or her charge, in each case stating the name of each deceased person, place of death, date of final disposition, and name and address of the funeral director which record shall at all times be open to official inspection. The burial-transit permit on file may satisfy this requirement. The funeral director, when burying a dead body in a cemetery having no person in charge, shall enter the date of final disposition on the permit, write “No person in charge” on the permit, and keep the permit on file for at least 3 years after the date of final disposition.
History.—s. 11, ch. 6892, 1915; RGS 2081; CGL 3281; s. 6, ch. 25372, 1949; s. 6, ch. 87-387; s. 664, ch. 95-148; s. 92, ch. 97-237; s. 4, ch. 2015-105.
Note.—Former s. 382.14.
382.008 Death, fetal death, and nonviable birth registration.—
(1) A certificate for each death and fetal death which occurs in this state shall be filed electronically on the department electronic death registration system or on a form prescribed by the department with the department or local registrar of the district in which the death occurred within 5 days after such death and prior to final disposition, and shall be registered by the department if it has been completed and filed in accordance with this chapter or adopted rules. The certificate shall include the decedent’s social security number, if available. In addition, each certificate of death or fetal death:
(a) If requested by the informant, shall include aliases or “also known as” (AKA) names of a decedent in addition to the decedent’s name of record. Aliases shall be entered on the face of the death certificate in the space provided for name if there is sufficient space;
(b) If the place of death is unknown, shall be registered in the registration district in which the dead body or fetus is found within 5 days after such occurrence; and
(c) If death occurs in a moving conveyance, shall be registered in the registration district in which the dead body was first removed from such conveyance.
(2)(a) The funeral director who first assumes custody of a dead body or fetus shall electronically file the certificate of death or fetal death. In the absence of the funeral director, the physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse registered under s. 464.0123, or other person in attendance at or after the death or the district medical examiner of the county in which the death occurred or the body was found shall electronically file the certificate of death or fetal death. The person who files the certificate shall obtain personal data from a legally authorized person as described in s. 497.005 or the best qualified person or source available. The medical certification of cause of death must be furnished to the funeral director, either in person or via certified mail or electronic transfer, by the physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse registered under s. 464.0123, or medical examiner responsible for furnishing such information. For fetal deaths, the physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse registered under s. 464.0123, midwife, or hospital administrator shall provide any medical or health information to the funeral director within 72 hours after expulsion or extraction.
(b) The State Registrar shall receive electronically a certificate of death, fetal death, or nonviable birth which is required to be filed with the registrar under this chapter through facsimile or other electronic transfer for the purpose of filing the certificate. The receipt of a certificate of death, fetal death, or nonviable birth by electronic transfer constitutes delivery to the State Registrar as required by law.
(3) Within 72 hours after receipt of a death or fetal death certificate from the funeral director, the medical certification of cause of death shall be completed and made available to the funeral director by the decedent’s primary or attending practitioner or, if s. 382.011 applies, the district medical examiner of the county in which the death occurred or the body was found. The primary or attending practitioner or the medical examiner shall certify over his or her signature the cause of death to the best of his or her knowledge and belief. As used in this section, the term “primary or attending practitioner” means a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse registered under s. 464.0123 who treated the decedent through examination, medical advice, or medication during the 12 months preceding the date of death.
(a) The department may grant the funeral director an extension of time upon a good and sufficient showing of any of the following conditions:
1. An autopsy is pending.
2. Toxicology, laboratory, or other diagnostic reports have not been completed.
3. The identity of the decedent is unknown and further investigation or identification is required.
(b) If the decedent’s primary or attending practitioner or the district medical examiner of the county in which the death occurred or the body was found indicates that he or she will sign and complete the medical certification of cause of death but will not be available until after the 5-day registration deadline, the local registrar may grant an extension of 5 days. If a further extension is required, the funeral director must provide written justification to the registrar.
(4) If the department or local registrar grants an extension of time to provide the medical certification of cause of death, the funeral director shall file a temporary certificate of death or fetal death which shall contain all available information, including the fact that the cause of death is pending. The decedent’s primary or attending practitioner or the district medical examiner of the county in which the death occurred or the body was found shall provide an estimated date for completion of the permanent certificate.
(5) A permanent certificate of death or fetal death, containing the cause of death and any other information that was previously unavailable, shall be registered as a replacement for the temporary certificate. The permanent certificate may also include corrected information if the items being corrected are noted on the back of the certificate and dated and signed by the funeral director, physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse registered under s. 464.0123, or district medical examiner of the county in which the death occurred or the body was found, as appropriate.
(6) The original certificate of death or fetal death shall contain all the information required by the department for legal, social, and health research purposes. All information relating to cause of death in all death and fetal death records and the parentage, marital status, and medical information included in all fetal death records of this state are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1), except for health research purposes as approved by the department; nor may copies of the same be issued except as provided in s. 382.025.
(7) Upon the request of a parent of a nonviable birth, a health care practitioner licensed pursuant to chapter 464 or chapter 467 who attends or diagnoses a nonviable birth, or a health care facility licensed pursuant to chapter 383 or chapter 395 at which a nonviable birth occurs, shall electronically file a registration of nonviable birth on the department electronic death registration system or on a form prescribed by the department with the department or local registrar of the district in which the nonviable birth occurred within 30 days after receipt of such request. The certificate of nonviable birth shall be registered with the department if it has been completed and filed in accordance with this chapter or adopted rules.
(8)(a) The original nonviable birth certificate shall contain all of the information required by the department for legal, social, and health research purposes. The department may issue a certified copy of an original nonviable birth certificate which includes the confidential and exempt information:
1. To the fetus’ parent;
2. To any local, state, or federal agency for official purposes upon approval by the department; or
3. Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) All information relating to the cause of death and parentage of a nonviable fetus, the marital status of such fetus’ parent, and any medical information included in nonviable birth records held by a state agency is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, but may be released for health research purposes as approved by the department.
(c) The department shall authorize the issuance of a certified copy of all or part of an original nonviable birth certificate, excluding any information that is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, to any person requesting such copy, pursuant to paragraph (b), upon receipt of a request and payment of the fee prescribed in s. 382.0255.
Note.—Consolidation of former ss. 382.081, 382.091.
382.0085 Stillbirth registration.—
(1) For any stillborn child in this state, the department shall, within 60 days, issue a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth upon the request of a parent named on a fetal death certificate.
(2) The person who is required to file a fetal death certificate under this chapter shall advise the parent of a stillborn child:
(a) That the parent may request the preparation of a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth in addition to the fetal death certificate;
(b) That the parent may obtain a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth by contacting the Office of Vital Statistics;
(c) How the parent may contact the Office of Vital Statistics to request a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth; and
(d) That a copy of the original certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth is a document that is available as a public record when held by an agency as defined under s. 119.011(2).
(3) The request for a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth must be on a form prescribed by the department by rule and include the date of the stillbirth and the county in which the stillbirth occurred. The request shall normally include the state file number of the fetal death report pursuant to s. 382.008.
(4) The certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth must contain:
(a) The date of the stillbirth.
(b) The county in which the stillbirth occurred.
(c) The name of the stillborn child as provided on the original or amended certificate of the fetal death report pursuant to s. 382.008. If a name does not appear on the original or amended fetal death certificate and the requesting parent does not wish to provide a name, the Office of Vital Statistics shall fill in the certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth with the name “baby boy” or “baby girl” and the last name of the parents as provided in s. 382.013(3).
(d) The state file number of the corresponding certificate of fetal death.
(e) The following statement: “This certificate is not proof of live birth.”
(5) A certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth shall be a public record when held by an agency as defined under s. 119.011(2). The Office of Vital Statistics must inform any parent who requests a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth that a copy of the document is available as a public record.
(6) A parent may request that the Office of Vital Statistics issue a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth regardless of the date on which the certificate of fetal death was issued.
(7) It is final agency action, not subject to review under chapter 120, for the Office of Vital Statistics to refuse to issue a certificate to a person who is not a parent named on the fetal death certificate and who is not entitled to a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth.
(8) The Office of Vital Statistics may not use a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth to calculate live birth statistics.
(9) This section or s. 382.002(17) may not be used to establish, bring, or support a civil cause of action seeking damages against any person or entity for bodily injury, personal injury, or wrongful death for a stillbirth.
(10) The department shall prescribe by rules adopted pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 the form, content, and process for the certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth.
(1) For any nonviable birth in this state, the department shall issue a certificate of nonviable birth within 60 days upon the request of a parent named on the registration of nonviable birth.
(2) The person or entity authorized to register a nonviable birth under this chapter shall advise a parent of a nonviable birth:
(a) That the parent may request the preparation of a certificate of nonviable birth.
(b) That the parent may obtain a certificate of nonviable birth by contacting the Office of Vital Statistics.
(c) How the parent may contact the Office of Vital Statistics to request a certificate of nonviable birth.
(d) That a copy of the original certificate of nonviable birth is available as a public record.
(e) That a copy of the original certificate of nonviable birth will not include the parentage, the marital status of the parent, the cause of death of the fetus, or any medical information.
(3) The request for a certificate of nonviable birth must be on a form prescribed by the department by rule and include the date of the nonviable birth and the county in which the nonviable birth occurred.
(4) The certificate of nonviable birth must contain:
(a) The date of the nonviable birth.
(b) The county in which the nonviable birth occurred.
(c) The name of the fetus, as provided on the registration of nonviable birth pursuant to s. 382.008. If a name does not appear on the original or amended registration of nonviable birth and the requesting parent does not wish to provide a name, the Office of Vital Statistics shall fill in the certificate of nonviable birth with the name “baby boy” or “baby girl” and the last name of the parent as provided in s. 382.013(3). If the sex of the child is unknown, the Office of Vital Statistics shall fill in the certificate of nonviable birth with the name “baby” and the last name of the parent as provided in s. 382.013(3).
(d) The following statement which must appear on the front of the certificate: “This certificate is not proof of a live birth.”
(5) A certificate of nonviable birth shall be a public record. The Office of Vital Statistics must inform any parent who requests a certificate of nonviable birth that:
(a) A copy of the original certificate of nonviable birth is available as a public record; and
(b) The parentage, the marital status of the parent, the cause of death of the fetus, and any medical information will not be included in the public record.
(6) A parent may request that the Office of Vital Statistics issue a certificate of nonviable birth regardless of the date on which the nonviable birth occurred.
(7) It is final agency action, not subject to review under chapter 120, for the Office of Vital Statistics to refuse to issue a certificate of nonviable birth to a person who is not a parent named on the nonviable birth registration.
(8) The Office of Vital Statistics may not use a certificate of nonviable birth to calculate live birth statistics.
(9) This section or s. 382.002(14) may not be used to establish, bring, or support a civil cause of action seeking damages against any person or entity for bodily injury, personal injury, or wrongful death for a nonviable birth.
(10) The department shall prescribe by rules adopted pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 the form, content, and process for the certificate of nonviable birth.
382.009 Recognition of brain death under certain circumstances.—
(1) For legal and medical purposes, where respiratory and circulatory functions are maintained by artificial means of support so as to preclude a determination that these functions have ceased, the occurrence of death may be determined where there is the irreversible cessation of the functioning of the entire brain, including the brain stem, determined in accordance with this section.
(2) Determination of death pursuant to this section must be made in accordance with currently accepted reasonable medical standards.
(a) If the patient’s treating health care practitioner is a physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, the determination must be made by that physician and a second physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 who is a board-eligible or board-certified neurologist, neurosurgeon, internist, family medicine physician, pediatrician, surgeon, or anesthesiologist.
(b) If the patient’s treating health care practitioner is an autonomous advanced practice registered nurse registered under s. 464.0123, the determination must be made by that practitioner and two physicians licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459. Each physician must be a board-eligible or board-certified neurologist, neurosurgeon, internist, family medicine physician, pediatrician, surgeon, or anesthesiologist.
(3) The next of kin of the patient shall be notified as soon as practicable of the procedures to determine death under this section. The medical records shall reflect such notice; if such notice has not been given, the medical records shall reflect the attempts to identify and notify the next of kin.
(4) No recovery shall be allowed nor shall criminal proceedings be instituted in any court in this state against a physician or licensed medical facility that makes a determination of death in accordance with this section or which acts in reliance thereon, if such determination is made in accordance with the accepted standard of care for such physician or facility set forth in s. 766.102. Except for a diagnosis of brain death, the standard set forth in this section is not the exclusive standard for determining death or for the withdrawal of life support systems.
382.011 Medical examiner determination of cause of death.—
(1) In the case of any death or fetal death due to causes or conditions listed in s. 406.11, any death that occurred more than 12 months after the decedent was last treated by a primary or attending physician, or any death for which there is reason to believe that the death may have been due to an unlawful act or neglect, the funeral director or other person to whose attention the death may come shall refer the case to the district medical examiner of the county in which the death occurred or the body was found for investigation and determination of the cause of death.
(2) The medical examiner shall complete and sign the medical certification of cause of death of the death or fetal death certificate within 72 hours after notification, whether or not final determination of the cause of death has been established, unless an extension has been granted as provided under s. 382.008. Any amendment fees prescribed in s. 382.0255 shall be waived when a later determination of cause of death is made.
(3) The funeral director shall retain the responsibility for preparation of the death or fetal death certificate, obtaining the necessary signatures, filing with the department in a timely manner, and arranging for final disposition of the body when released by the medical examiner.
History.—s. 8, ch. 6892, 1915; RGS 2077; CGL 3277; s. 9, ch. 87-387; s. 666, ch. 95-148; s. 94, ch. 97-237; s. 4, ch. 2013-138; s. 7, ch. 2015-105; s. 17, ch. 2020-9.
Note.—Former s. 382.10.
382.012 Presumptive death certificate.—
(1) “Presumptive death” means a determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that:
(a) A death of a resident of this state has occurred or is presumed to have occurred, but the body of the person involved has not been located or recovered; or
(b) A death of a nonresident of this state has occurred or is presumed to have occurred in this state, but the body of the person involved has not been located or recovered.
(2) The department shall file a presumptive death certificate when ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction. In case of a presumptive death certificate, the medical certification of cause of death must be signed by the judge issuing the court order. A petitioner seeking a presumptive death certificate must include in the petition before the court all information necessary to complete the presumptive death certificate.
382.013 Birth registration.—A certificate for each live birth that occurs in this state shall be filed within 5 days after such birth in the department’s electronic registration system with the local registrar of the district in which the birth occurred and shall be registered by the local registrar if the certificate has been completed and filed in accordance with this chapter and adopted rules. The information regarding registered births shall be used for comparison with information in the state case registry, as defined in chapter 61.
(1) FILING.—
(a) If a birth occurs in a hospital, birth center, or other health care facility, or en route thereto, the person in charge of the facility is responsible for preparing the certificate, certifying the facts of the birth, and filing the certificate in the department’s electronic registration system with the local registrar. Within 48 hours after the birth, the physician, midwife, or person in attendance during or immediately after the delivery shall provide the facility with the medical information required by the birth certificate.
(b) If a birth occurs outside a facility and a physician licensed in this state, a certified nurse midwife, a midwife licensed in this state, or a public health nurse employed by the department was in attendance during or immediately after the delivery, that person shall prepare and file the certificate.
(c) If a birth occurs outside a facility and the delivery is not attended by one of the persons described in paragraph (b), the person in attendance, the mother, or the father shall report the birth to the registrar and provide proof of the facts of birth. The department may require such documents to be presented and such proof to be filed as it deems necessary and sufficient to establish the truth of the facts to be recorded by the certificate and may withhold registering the birth until its requirements are met.
(d) If a birth occurs in a moving conveyance and the child is first removed from the conveyance in this state, the birth shall be filed and registered in this state and the place to which the child is first removed shall be considered the place of birth.
(e) The mother or the father of the child shall attest to the accuracy of the personal data entered on the certificate in time to permit the timely registration of the certificate.
(f) If a certificate of live birth is incomplete, the local registrar shall immediately notify the health care facility or person filing the certificate and shall require the completion of the missing items of information if they can be obtained before issuing certified copies of the birth certificate.
(g) Regardless of any plan to place a child for adoption after birth, the information on the birth certificate as required by this section must be as to the child’s birth parents unless and until an application for a new birth record is made under s. 63.152.
(h) The State Registrar may receive electronically a birth certificate for each live birth which is required to be filed with the registrar under this chapter through facsimile or other electronic transfer for the purpose of filing the birth certificate. The receipt of a birth certificate by electronic transfer constitutes delivery to the State Registrar as required by law.
(2) PATERNITY.—
(a) If the mother is married at the time of birth, the name of the husband shall be entered on the birth certificate as the father of the child, unless paternity has been determined otherwise by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the husband of the mother dies while the mother is pregnant but before the birth of the child, the name of the deceased husband shall be entered on the birth certificate as the father of the child, unless paternity has been determined otherwise by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) If the mother is not married at the time of the birth, the name of the father may not be entered on the birth certificate without the execution of an affidavit signed by both the mother and the person to be named as the father. The facility shall give notice orally or through the use of video or audio equipment, and in writing, of the alternatives to, the legal consequences of, and the rights, including, if one parent is a minor, any rights afforded due to minority status, and responsibilities that arise from signing an acknowledgment of paternity, as well as information provided by the Title IV-D agency established pursuant to s. 409.2557, regarding the benefits of voluntary establishment of paternity. Upon request of the mother and the person to be named as the father, the facility shall assist in the execution of the affidavit, a notarized voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, or a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity that is witnessed by two individuals and signed under penalty of perjury as specified by s. 92.525(2).
(d) If the paternity of the child is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction as provided under s. 382.015 or there is a final judgment of dissolution of marriage which requires the former husband to pay child support for the child, the name of the father and the surname of the child shall be entered on the certificate in accordance with the finding and order of the court. If the court fails to specify a surname for the child, the surname shall be entered in accordance with subsection (3).
(e) If the paternity of the child is determined pursuant to s. 409.256, the name of the father and the surname of the child shall be entered on the certificate in accordance with the finding and order of the Department of Revenue.
(f) If the mother and father marry each other at any time after the child’s birth, upon receipt of a marriage license that identifies any such child, the department shall amend the certificate with regard to the parents’ marital status as though the parents were married at the time of birth.
(g) If the father is not named on the certificate, no other information about the father shall be entered on the certificate.
(3) NAME OF CHILD.—
(a) If the mother is married at the time of birth, the mother and father whose names are entered on the birth certificate shall select the given names and surname of the child if both parents have custody of the child, otherwise the parent who has custody shall select the child’s name.
(b) If the mother and father whose names are entered on the birth certificate disagree on the surname of the child and both parents have custody of the child, the surname selected by the father and the surname selected by the mother shall both be entered on the birth certificate, separated by a hyphen, with the selected names entered in alphabetical order. If the parents disagree on the selection of a given name, the given name may not be entered on the certificate until a joint agreement that lists the agreed upon given name and is notarized by both parents is submitted to the department, or until a given name is selected by a court.
(c) If the mother is not married at the time of birth, the parent who will have custody of the child shall select the child’s given name and surname.
(d) If multiple names of the child exceed the space provided on the face of the birth certificate they shall be listed on the back of the certificate. Names listed on the back of the certificate shall be part of the official record.
(4) UNDETERMINED PARENTAGE.—The person having custody of a child of undetermined parentage shall register a birth certificate showing all known or approximate facts relating to the birth. To assist in later determination, information concerning the place and circumstances under which the child was found shall be included on the portion of the birth certificate relating to marital status and medical details. In the event the child is later identified, a new birth certificate shall be prepared which shall bear the same number as the original birth certificate, and the original certificate shall be sealed and filed, shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1), and shall not be opened to inspection by, nor shall certified copies of the same be issued except by court order to, any person other than the registrant if of legal age.
(5) DISCLOSURE.—The original certificate of live birth shall contain all the information required by the department for legal, social, and health research purposes. However, all information concerning parentage, marital status, and medical details shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1), except for health research purposes as approved by the department, nor shall copies of the same be issued except as provided in s. 382.025.
382.0135 Social security numbers; enumeration-at-birth program.—The department shall make arrangements with the United States Social Security Administration for electronic notification of deaths that occur in the state and to participate in the voluntary enumeration-at-birth program. The State Registrar is authorized to take any actions necessary to administer the program in this state, including modifying the procedures and forms used in the birth registration process.
382.015 New certificates of live birth; duty of clerks of court and department.—The clerk of the court in which any proceeding for adoption, annulment of an adoption, affirmation of parental status, or determination of paternity is to be registered, shall, within 30 days after the final disposition, forward electronically to the department a certified copy of the court order, or a report of the proceedings upon a form to be furnished by the department, together with sufficient information to identify the original birth certificate and to enable the preparation of a new birth certificate. The clerk of the court shall implement a monitoring and quality control plan to ensure that all judicial determinations of paternity are reported to the department in compliance with this section. The department shall track paternity determinations reported monthly by county, monitor compliance with the 30-day timeframe, and report the data to the clerks of the court quarterly.
(1) ADOPTION AND ANNULMENT OF ADOPTION.—
(a) Upon receipt of the report or certified copy of an adoption decree, together with the information necessary to identify the original certificate of live birth, and establish a new certificate, the department shall prepare and file a new birth certificate, absent objection by the court decreeing the adoption, the adoptive parents, or the adoptee if of legal age. The certificate shall bear the same file number as the original birth certificate. All names and identifying information relating to the adoptive parents entered on the new certificate shall refer to the adoptive parents, but nothing in the certificate shall refer to or designate the parents as being adoptive. All other items not affected by adoption shall be copied as on the original certificate, including the date of registration and filing.
(b) Upon receipt of the report or certified copy of an annulment-of-adoption decree, together with the sufficient information to identify the original certificate of live birth, the department shall, if a new certificate of birth was filed following an adoption report or decree, remove the new certificate and restore the original certificate to its original place in the files, and the certificate so removed shall be sealed by the department.
(c) Upon receipt of a report or certified copy of an adoption decree or annulment-of-adoption decree for a person born in another state, the department shall forward the report or decree to the state of the registrant’s birth. If the adoptee was born in Canada, the department shall send a copy of the report or decree to the appropriate birth registration authority in Canada.
(2) DETERMINATION OF PATERNITY.—Upon receipt of the report, a certified copy of a final decree of determination of paternity, or a certified copy of a final judgment of dissolution of marriage which requires the former husband to pay child support for the child, together with sufficient information to identify the original certificate of live birth, the department shall prepare and file a new birth certificate, which shall bear the same file number as the original birth certificate. The registrant’s name shall be entered as decreed by the court or as reflected in the final judgment or support order. The names and identifying information of the parents shall be entered as of the date of the registrant’s birth.
(3) AFFIRMATION OF PARENTAL STATUS.—Upon receipt of an order of affirmation of parental status issued pursuant to s. 742.16, together with sufficient information to identify the original certificate of live birth, the department shall prepare and file a new birth certificate which shall bear the same file number as the original birth certificate. The names and identifying information of the registrant’s parents entered on the new certificate shall be the commissioning couple, but the new certificate may not make reference to or designate the parents as the commissioning couple.
(4) SUBSTITUTION OF NEW CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH FOR ORIGINAL.—When a new certificate of birth is prepared, the department shall substitute the new certificate of birth for the original certificate on file. All copies of the original certificate of live birth in the custody of a local registrar or other state custodian of vital records shall be forwarded to the State Registrar. Thereafter, when a certified copy of the certificate of birth or portion thereof is issued, it shall be a copy of the new certificate of birth or portion thereof, except when a court order requires issuance of a certified copy of the original certificate of birth. In an adoption, change in paternity, affirmation of parental status, undetermined parentage, or court-ordered substitution, the department shall place the original certificate of birth and all papers pertaining thereto under seal, not to be broken except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction or as otherwise provided by law.
(5) FORM.—Except for certificates of foreign birth which are registered as provided in s. 382.017, and delayed certificates of birth which are registered as provided in ss. 382.019 and 382.0195, all original, new, or amended certificates of live birth shall be identical in form, regardless of the marital status of the parents or the fact that the registrant is adopted or of undetermined parentage.
(6) RULES.—The department shall adopt and enforce all rules necessary for carrying out the provisions of this section.
History.—ss. 1, 2, ch. 19063, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 3301(4), (5); s. 1, ch. 22016, 1943; ss. 11, 12, ch. 25372, 1949; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 3, ch. 75-166; s. 106, ch. 77-147; s. 4, ch. 77-446; s. 13, ch. 87-387; s. 5, ch. 90-347; s. 191, ch. 96-406; s. 98, ch. 97-237; s. 18, ch. 99-397; s. 16, ch. 2005-39; s. 4, ch. 2010-187; s. 8, ch. 2023-71.
Note.—Consolidation of former ss. 382.21, 382.22.
382.016 Amendment of records.—The department, upon receipt of the fee prescribed in s. 382.0255; documentary evidence, as specified by rule, of any misstatement, error, or omission occurring in any birth, death, or fetal death record; and an affidavit setting forth the changes to be made, shall amend or replace the original certificate as necessary.
(1) CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH AMENDMENT.—
(a) Until a child’s first birthday, the child’s given name or surname may be amended upon receipt of the fees prescribed in s. 382.0255 and an affidavit signed by each parent named on the original birth certificate or by the registrant’s guardian. If both parents are named on the certificate but both are not willing or available to sign the affidavit, the registrant’s name may only be amended by court order.
(b) Upon written request and receipt of an affidavit, a notarized voluntary acknowledgment of paternity signed by the mother and father acknowledging the paternity of a registrant born out of wedlock, or a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity that is witnessed by two individuals and signed under penalty of perjury as specified by s. 92.525(2), together with sufficient information to identify the original certificate of live birth, the department shall prepare a new birth certificate, which shall bear the same file number as the original birth certificate. The names and identifying information of the parents shall be entered as of the date of the registrant’s birth. The surname of the registrant may be changed from that shown on the original birth certificate at the request of the mother and father of the registrant, or the registrant if of legal age. If the mother and father marry each other at any time after the registrant’s birth, the department shall, upon receipt of a marriage license that identifies the registrant, or upon the request of the mother and father or registrant if of legal age and proof of the marriage, amend the certificate with regard to the parents’ marital status as though the parents were married at the time of birth. The department shall substitute the new certificate of birth for the original certificate on file. All copies of the original certificate of live birth in the custody of a local registrar or other state custodian of vital records shall be forwarded to the State Registrar. Thereafter, when a certified copy of the certificate of birth or portion thereof is issued, it shall be a copy of the new certificate of birth or portion thereof, except when a court order requires issuance of a certified copy of the original certificate of birth. Except for a birth certificate on which a father is listed pursuant to an affidavit, a notarized voluntary acknowledgment of paternity signed by the mother and father acknowledging the paternity of a registrant born out of wedlock, or a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity that is witnessed by two individuals and signed under penalty of perjury as specified by s. 92.525(2), the department shall place the original certificate of birth and all papers pertaining thereto under seal, not to be broken except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction or as otherwise provided by law.
(c) If a father’s name is listed on the birth certificate, the birth certificate may only be amended to remove the father’s name or to add a different father’s name upon court order. If a change in the registrant’s surname is also desired, such change must be included in the court order or the name must be changed pursuant to s. 68.07.
(d) For a child born in this state whose paternity is established in another state, the department shall amend the child’s birth certificate to include the name of the father upon receipt of:
1. A certified copy of an acknowledgment of paternity, final judgment, or judicial or administrative order from another state that determines the child’s paternity; or
2. A noncertified copy of an acknowledgment of paternity, final judgment, or judicial or administrative order from another state that determines the child’s paternity when provided with an affidavit or written declaration from the Department of Revenue that states the document was provided by or obtained from another state’s Title IV-D program.
The department may not amend a child’s birth certificate to include the name of the child’s father if paternity was established by adoption and the father 1would not be eligible to adopt under the laws of this state.
(e) The Department of Revenue shall develop written educational materials for use and distribution by the Department of Children and Families, Department of Corrections, Department of Education, Department of Health, and Department of Juvenile Justice that describe how paternity is established and the benefits of establishing paternity. The Department of Children and Families, Department of Corrections, Department of Education, Department of Health, and Department of Juvenile Justice shall make the materials available to individuals to whom services are provided and are encouraged to provide additional education on how paternity is established and the benefits of establishing paternity.
(2) CERTIFICATE OF DEATH AMENDMENTS.—Except for a misspelling or an omission on a death certificate with regard to the name of the surviving spouse, the department may not change the name of a surviving spouse on the certificate except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
1Note.—As enacted by s. 18, ch. 2005-39. The s. 7, ch. 2005-82, version used “is not eligible” instead of “would not be eligible.”
Note.—Former s. 382.49.
382.017 Foreign births.—
(1) Upon request, the department shall prepare and register a certificate of foreign birth for an adoptee born in a foreign country who is not a citizen of the United States and whose judgment of adoption was entered by a court of competent jurisdiction of this state. The certificate shall be established upon receipt of the report or certified copy of the adoption decree, proof of the date and place of the adoptee’s birth, and a request that the certificate be prepared from the court, the adopting parents, or the adoptee if of legal age. The certificate shall be labeled “Certificate of Foreign Birth” and shall show the true country and date of birth of the adoptee, and must include a statement that the certificate is not evidence of United States citizenship. After registering the certificate of foreign birth in the new name of the adoptee, the department shall place the adoption report or decree under seal, not to be broken except pursuant to court order.
(2) If the adoptee was born in a foreign country but was a citizen of the United States at the time of birth, the department shall not prepare a certificate of foreign birth but shall notify the adoptive parents, or the adoptee if of legal age, of the procedure for obtaining a revised birth certificate through the United States Department of State.
(1) Registration after 1 year is a delayed registration, and the department may, upon receipt of an application and the fee required under s. 382.0255, and proof of the birth, death, or fetal death as prescribed by this section or rule, register a delayed certificate if the department does not already have a certificate of the birth, death, or fetal death on file.
(2) The department may require such supporting documents to be presented and such proof to be filed as it deems necessary and sufficient to establish the truth of the facts to be recorded by the certificate, and may withhold registering the birth, death, or fetal death certificate until its requirements are met.
(3) Certificates registered under this section are admissible as prima facie evidence of the facts recited therein with like force and effect as other vital records received or admitted in evidence.
(4) A delayed certificate of birth filed under this section shall include a summary statement of the evidence submitted in support of the delayed registration.
(5) A delayed certificate of birth submitted for registration under this section shall be signed before a notarizing official by the registrant if of legal age, or by the parent or guardian of a minor registrant.
(6) A person may not establish more than one birth certificate, and a delayed certificate of birth may not be registered for a deceased person.
(7) A delayed death or fetal death record shall be registered on a certificate of death or fetal death and marked “delayed.”
(8) In addition to the rulemaking authority found at s. 382.003(10), the department may, by rule, provide for the dismissal of an application that is not pursued within 1 year.
History.—ss. 2, 3, ch. 13864, 1929; CGL 1936 Supp. 3301(2), (3); ss. 9, 10, ch. 25372, 1949; s. 105, ch. 77-147; s. 240, ch. 81-259; s. 17, ch. 87-387; s. 102, ch. 97-237; s. 20, ch. 99-397.
Note.—Consolidation of former ss. 382.19, 382.20.
382.0195 Court-issued delayed birth certificate.—
(1) In addition to the provisions of s. 382.019, any state resident or person born in this state who does not have a birth certificate may, at any time after birth, file a petition in the circuit court in the county of residence or in the alleged county of his or her birth, setting forth the date, place, and parentage of birth and petitioning the court to issue a delayed birth certificate. The petition must be on a form furnished by the department and must be accompanied by a certified statement from the state registrar of the alleged state of birth, stating that, based on the facts submitted by the petitioner, a birth certificate for the petitioner is not on file.
(2) Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall hold a hearing at which time such evidence may be presented as may be required by the court to establish the fact of the petitioner’s birth and the date, place, and parentage of his or her birth. However, a certificate may not be granted based solely on the uncorroborated testimony of the petitioner.
(3) If the evidence is sufficient, the court shall issue a delayed birth certificate on a form furnished by the department. Documentation submitted by the petitioner in support of the petition shall be recorded on the delayed birth certificate.
(4) The original and court copies of the delayed birth certificate issued by the court shall be distributed as follows:
(a) One copy shall be filed in the circuit court as a permanent record.
(b) If the birth occurred in this state, one copy shall be delivered to the petitioner and the original shall be mailed to the department by the clerk of the court within 10 days after the delayed certificate is issued by the court.
(c) If the birth occurred outside this state, the original certificate plus one copy shall be delivered to the petitioner by the court.
(5) A delayed birth certificate issued by a court pursuant to this section and registered with the department may not be amended except by court order.
History.—ss. 1, 5, 6, 10, ch. 21931, 1943; s. 1, ch. 22887, 1945; s. 24, ch. 63-559; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 7, ch. 73-299; s. 24, ch. 73-334; s. 118, ch. 77-147; s. 7, ch. 83-230; s. 16, ch. 87-387; s. 667, ch. 95-148; s. 101, ch. 97-237.
Note.—Consolidation of former ss. 382.40, 382.44, 382.45, 382.48; former s. 382.018.
382.021 Department to receive marriage licenses.—
(1) The county court judge or clerk of the circuit court shall electronically transmit all original marriage licenses, with endorsements, received to the department on one of the following reporting schedules:
(a) Weekly, on or before each Friday, all original marriage licenses, with endorsements, received during the preceding calendar week.
(b) Monthly, on or before the 5th day of each month, all original marriage licenses, with endorsements, received during the preceding calendar month.
(2) Any marriage licenses issued and not returned or any marriage licenses returned but not recorded must be reported by the issuing county court judge or clerk of the circuit court to the department at the time of transmitting the recorded licenses on the forms to be prescribed and furnished by the department. If, during any reporting schedule, the county court judge or clerk of the circuit court does not issue or does not receive a returned marriage license, the county court judge or clerk of the circuit court must report such fact to the department upon forms prescribed and furnished by the department in accordance with the selected reporting schedule.
History.—s. 2, ch. 11869, 1927; CGL 3295, 5852; s. 24, ch. 73-334; s. 107, ch. 77-147; s. 18, ch. 87-387; s. 668, ch. 95-148; s. 103, ch. 97-237; s. 9, ch. 2023-71.
Note.—Former s. 382.23.
382.022 Marriage application fees.—Upon the receipt of each application for the issuance of a marriage license, the county court judge or clerk of the circuit court shall, pursuant to s. 741.02, collect and receive a fee of $4 which shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit to the Department of Health to defray part of the cost of maintaining marriage records.
382.023 Department to receive dissolution-of-marriage records; fees.—
(1) Clerks of the circuit courts shall collect for their services at the time of the filing of a final judgment of dissolution of marriage a fee of up to $10.50, of which 43 percent shall be retained by the clerk of the circuit court as a part of the cost in the cause in which the judgment is granted. The remaining 57 percent shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit to the Department of Health to defray part of the cost of maintaining the dissolution-of-marriage records.
(2) The clerk of the circuit court shall electronically transmit to the department a record of each judgment of dissolution of marriage granted by the court, including the names of the parties and such other data as required by forms prescribed by the department, on one of the following reporting schedules:
(a) Weekly, on or before each Friday, all final judgments of dissolution of marriage granted during the preceding calendar week, along with an accounting of the funds remitted to the Department of Revenue pursuant to this section.
(b) Monthly, on or before the 10th day of each month, all final judgments of dissolution of marriage granted during the preceding calendar month, along with an accounting of the funds remitted to the Department of Revenue pursuant to this section.
(3) If, during any reporting schedule, there are no final judgments of dissolution of marriage granted, the clerk of the circuit court must report such fact to the department upon forms prescribed and furnished by the department in accordance with the selected reporting schedule.
382.025 Certified copies of vital records; confidentiality; research.—
(1) BIRTH RECORDS.—Except for birth records over 125 years old which are not under seal pursuant to court order, all birth records of this state shall be confidential and are exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).
(a) Certified copies of the original birth certificate or a new or amended certificate, or affidavits thereof, are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and, upon receipt of a request and payment of the fee prescribed in s. 382.0255, shall be issued only as authorized by the department and in the form prescribed by the department, and only:
1. To the registrant, if the registrant is of legal age, is a certified homeless youth, or is a minor who has had the disabilities of nonage removed under s. 743.01 or s. 743.015;
2. To the registrant’s parent or guardian or other legal representative;
3. Upon receipt of the registrant’s death certificate, to the registrant’s spouse or to the registrant’s child, grandchild, or sibling, if of legal age, or to the legal representative of any such person;
4. To any person if the birth record is more than 125 years old and not under seal pursuant to court order;
5. To a law enforcement agency for official purposes;
6. To any agency of the state or the United States for official purposes upon approval of the department; or
7. Upon order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) To protect the integrity of vital records and prevent the fraudulent use of the birth certificates of deceased persons, the department shall match birth and death certificates and post the fact of death to the appropriate birth certificate. Except for a commemorative birth certificate, any certification of a birth certificate of a deceased registrant shall be marked “deceased.” In the case of a commemorative birth certificate, such indication of death shall be made on the back of the certificate.
(c) The department shall issue, upon request and upon payment of an additional fee as prescribed under s. 382.0255, a commemorative birth certificate representing that the birth of the person named thereon is recorded in the office of the registrar. The certificate issued under this paragraph shall be in a form consistent with the need to protect the integrity of vital records but shall be suitable for display. It may bear the seal of the state printed thereon and may be signed by the Governor.
(2) OTHER RECORDS.—
(a) The department shall authorize the issuance of a certified copy of all or part of any marriage, dissolution of marriage, or death or fetal death certificate, excluding that portion which is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) as provided under s. 382.008, to any person requesting it upon receipt of a request and payment of the fee prescribed by this section. A certification of the death or fetal death certificate which includes the confidential portions shall be issued only:
1. To the registrant’s spouse or parent, or to the registrant’s child, grandchild, or sibling, if of legal age, or to any person who provides a will that has been executed pursuant to s. 732.502, insurance policy, or other document that demonstrates his or her interest in the estate of the registrant, or to any person who provides documentation that he or she is acting on behalf of any of them;
2. To any agency of the state or local government or the United States for official purposes upon approval of the department; or
3. Upon order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) All portions of a certificate of death shall cease to be exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) 50 years after the date of death.
(c) The department shall issue, upon request and upon payment of an additional fee prescribed by this section, a commemorative marriage license representing that the marriage of the persons named thereon is recorded in the office of the registrar. The certificate issued under this paragraph shall be in a form consistent with the need to protect the integrity of vital records but shall be suitable for display. It may bear the seal of the state printed thereon and may be signed by the Governor.
(3) RECORDS AND DATA DISTRIBUTION.—The department may issue vital records or data to:
(a) A federal agency, if the agency shares in the cost of collecting, processing, and transmitting such data and if the data is only used by the federal agency for statistical purposes or for other purposes specifically authorized by the department.
(b) An office of vital statistics for a jurisdiction outside this state, pursuant to an agreement with the department, when such records or other reports relate to residents of that jurisdiction or persons born in that jurisdiction. The agreement must require that the copies be used for statistical and administrative purposes only and must provide for the retention and disposition of such copies.
(c) Other governmental agencies upon such terms or conditions as may be prescribed by the department.
(d) A research entity, if the entity seeks the records or data pursuant to a research protocol approved by the department and maintains the records or data in accordance with the approved protocol and a purchase and data-use agreement with the department. The department may deny a request for records or data if the protocol provides for intrusive follow-back contacts, has not been approved by a human studies institutional review board, does not plan for the destruction of confidential records after the research is concluded, or does not have scientific merit. The agreement must restrict the release of any information which would permit the identification of persons found in vital statistics records, limit the use of the records or data to the approved research protocol, and prohibit any other use of the records or data.
Records or data issued under this subsection are exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1), and copies of records or data issued pursuant to this subsection remain the property of the department.
(4) CERTIFIED COPIES OF ORIGINAL CERTIFICATES.—Only the state registrar, local registrars, and those persons appointed by the department are authorized to issue any certificate which purports to be a certified copy of an original certificate of live birth, death, or fetal death. Except as provided in this section, preparing or issuing certificates is exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).
(5) RULES.—The department shall adopt and enforce all rules necessary for carrying out the provisions of this section.
(1) The department is entitled to fees, as follows:
(a) Not less than $3 or more than $5 for the first calendar year of records searched or retrieved and a computer certification of the record, a photocopy or birth card if a computer certification is not available, or, if no record is located, a certified statement to that effect. An additional fee of not less than $3 or more than $5 if a photocopy is requested in place of or in addition to a computer certification. Additional fees of not less than $1 or more than $2, up to a maximum total of $50, shall be charged for additional calendar years of records searched or retrieved.
(b) Not less than $10 or more than $20 for processing and filing a delayed certification of birth, death, fetal death, or presumptive death. This fee entitles the applicant to one certification of the record if filed.
(c) Not less than $10 or more than $20 for processing and filing a change of name, an amendment to a death record, or an amendment to a birth record. This fee entitles the applicant to one certification of the corrected record.
(d) Not less than $10 or more than $20 for processing and filing a new birth certificate due to an adoption, affirmation of parental status, or determination of paternity. This fee entitles the applicant to one certification of the new certificate.
(e) Not less than $2 or more than $4 for each additional certification of the same vital record when ordered at the same time as the initial certification.
(f) Not less than $5 or more than $10 for processing and forwarding each exemplified copy of a vital record.
(g) Not less than $5 or more than $10 for an expedited processing of a vital record.
(h) Not less than 5 cents or more than 10 cents for each data record listed on electronic media plus a reasonable charge for the cost of preparation, as established by department rule.
(i) Twenty-five dollars for a commemorative certificate of birth or marriage. Fees collected pursuant to this paragraph in excess of expenses shall be available for use by the Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Centers (RPICC) Program to prevent child abuse and neglect. Funds derived from the issuance of commemorative marriage certificates shall be available for use by the Improved Pregnancy Outcome Program.
(j) Not less than $3 or more than $5 for processing and filing a new certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth pursuant to s. 382.0085.
(k) Not less than $3 or more than $5 for processing and filing a new certificate of nonviable birth pursuant to s. 382.0086.
(2) The fee charged for each request for a certification of a birth record issued by the department or by the local registrar shall be subject to an additional fee of $4 which shall be deposited in the appropriate departmental trust fund. On a quarterly basis, the department shall transfer $1.50 to the Child Welfare Training Trust Fund created in s. 402.40.
(3) Fees must be established by rule. However, until rules are adopted, the fees assessed pursuant to this section must be the minimum fees cited. The fees established by rule must be sufficient to meet the cost of providing the service. All fees must be paid by the person requesting the record, are due and payable at the time services are requested, and are nonrefundable, except that, when a search is conducted and no vital record is found, any fees paid for additional certified copies shall be refunded. The department may waive all or part of the fees required under this section for any government entity. The department shall waive all fees required under this section for a certified copy of a birth certificate issued for an unaccompanied homeless youth certified under s. 743.067; for a young adult who is, or was at the time he or she reached 18 years of age, in the custody of the Department of Children and Families; for purposes of an inmate acquiring a state identification card before release pursuant to s. 944.605(7); and for a juvenile offender in the custody or under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice and receiving services under s. 985.461.
(4) The department shall keep an account of all fees required under this chapter, and deposit such fees in a trust fund used by the department to pay for the efficient administration of this chapter and services provided. It is the intent of the Legislature that the total fees assessed under this chapter be in an amount sufficient to meet the cost of carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
(1) Any person who willfully and knowingly makes any false statement in a certificate, record, or report required by this chapter, or in an application for an amendment thereof, or in an application for a certified copy of a vital record, or who willfully and knowingly supplies false information, intending that such information be used in the preparation of any such report, record, or certificate, or amendment thereof, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(2) Any person who, without lawful authority and with the intent to deceive, makes, counterfeits, alters, amends, or mutilates any certificate, record, or report required by this chapter, or a certified copy of such certificate, record, or report, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(3) Any person who willfully and knowingly obtains, possesses, uses, sells, or furnishes to another, or attempts to obtain, possess, use, sell, or furnish to another, for any purpose of deception, any certificate, record, or report required by this chapter, or any certified copy thereof so made, counterfeited, altered, amended, or mutilated, or which is false in whole or in part, or which relates to the birth of another person, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(4) Any employee of the department charged with responsibility for maintaining vital records who willfully or knowingly furnishes or possesses a certificate of live birth, death, or fetal death, or a certified copy of a certificate of birth, death, or fetal death, with the knowledge or intention that it be used for purposes of deception commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(5) Any person who, without lawful authority, possesses any certificate, record, or report required by this chapter or a copy or certified copy of such certificate, record, or report, knowing same to have been stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(6) Any person who is authorized by this chapter to certify the cause of death of a person and who charges a fee for making such certification commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(7) Any person who knowingly transports or accepts for transport, inters, or otherwise disposes of a dead body without an accompanying permit issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.083.
(8) Except where a different penalty is provided for in this section, any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter, or the rules of the department, or who neglects or refuses to perform any of the duties imposed upon him or her thereunder, commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(9) In addition to any other sanction or penalty authorized by law, the department may impose a fine which may not exceed $1,000 for each violation of this chapter or rules adopted thereunder. Each day that a violation continues may constitute a separate violation. In determining the amount of any fine to be imposed for a violation, the department shall consider the following factors:
(a) The gravity of the violation or extent to which the provisions of the applicable statute or rule were violated.
(b) Any action taken by the alleged violator to correct the violation or assure that the violation will not reoccur.
(c) Any previous violation.
All fines collected under this subsection shall be deposited in a trust fund used by the department to pay for the efficient administration of this chapter and services provided.
(10) The department shall adopt and enforce all rules to carry out the provisions of this section.
History.—s. 22, ch. 6892, 1915; RGS 5550; CGL 7733; s. 19, ch. 25372, 1949; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 331, ch. 71-136; s. 117, ch. 77-147; s. 23, ch. 87-387; s. 9, ch. 90-347; s. 669, ch. 95-148; s. 108, ch. 97-237.
Note.—Former s. 382.39.
382.355 Birth records of missing children, registrars’ duties.—The flagging of a missing child’s birth certificate record and the procedures to be used when requests for the record are made shall be governed by s. 937.024.
382.356 Protocol for sharing certain birth certificate information.—In order to facilitate the prosecution of offenses under s. 794.011, s. 794.05, s. 800.04, or s. 827.04(3), the Department of Health, the Department of Revenue, and the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association shall develop a protocol for sharing birth certificate information for all children born to unmarried mothers who are less than 17 years of age at the time of the child’s birth.
