The Florida Department of Health’s electronic reporting systems increase the accuracy and timeliness of reporting vital health information while improving statistics for state and national surveillance systems.
For additional information or training, contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics at 904-359-6900, ext. 9020.
Electronic Birth Registration
All birthing hospitals and several birthing centers in Florida file their birth records through the Electronic Birth Registration System (EBRS). It is designed to allow a hospital birth registrar to electronically enter and register a child’s birth record, and capture any required signatures. This registration process eliminates the need for hospitals to forward original hard copy birth records to county health departments.
Electronic Reporting System
Request access to the Electronic Birth Registration System or the e-Vitals Electronic Death Registration System.
If you are a birth registration specialist or a birthing facility interested in becoming an online user of EBRS, request the required access forms and training tutorial.
Electronic Death Registration
The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics has implemented the e-Vitals Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS) across the state of Florida. The death certificate is a permanent legal record of the fact of death of a person. All persons concerned with the registration of deaths must strive for accuracy, promptness in reporting, and completeness.
EDRS enables funeral directors, medical examiners, and private practitioners to create and file Florida death records into the Bureau of Vital Statistics database. Each stakeholder in the death registration process will need to complete required training.
If you are interested in becoming an online user of EDRS, request the required access forms and training tutorial.
Information for Physicians
Cause of Death Training
Cause of death tutorial does not reflect legislation impacting your profession. Please review Chapter 382, Florida Statutes.
The cause of death medical certification is completed by a medical certifier, which includes physicians, medical examiners and autonomous advanced practice registered nurses.
Cause of Death Tutorial
This tutorial explains roles and responsibilities of the death registration process, such as the certifying practitioner, medical examiner, and funeral director.
The Bureau of Vital Statistics, in cooperation with the Florida Medical Association, Florida Association of Medical Examiners, and Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners, have developed an online tutorial for certifying practitioners as an overview of the death registration process in Florida and how to go about properly completing the medical information on a Florida death record.
The cause of death tutorial explains roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in the death registration process, such as the certifying practitioner, medical examiner, and funeral director. The tutorial will demonstrate case scenarios highlighting the importance of quality data and the timely filing of death certificates.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics has additional training tutorials, manuals and training tools designed to highlight the importance of their roles in the registration process and how to use their best medical judgement to determine accurate information. Some of the online trainings offers free CME credits upon completion.
- Practitioner: Certifying Cause of Death on the Florida Death Certificate
- Electronic Death Registration System Brochure
Amendments to Death or Fetal Death Records
Changes to the medical portion of a death or fetal death record requires the completion and submission of a medical affidavit to the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics. There is no amendment fee associated with a medical amendment.
If you have any questions, contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics at 904-359-6900, ext. 9013.
AFFIDAVIT OF MEDICAL AMENDMENT Form
Use this form to provide a medical amendment to a Florida Certificate of Death. Instructions and mailing address can be found on the form.
Information for Funeral Professionals
Funeral directors are responsible for ensuring the completion of the death certificate, pursuant to section 382.008 (2)(a), F.S. The funeral director who first assumes custody of the decedent will create the death record. They must obtain the demographic information from either family or from the best source available, enter that information on the record and make that record available to the practitioner or medical examiner, when applicable, for medical certification of the cause of death.
In general, funeral directors’ duties are to:
- Complete all demographic items on the death certificate
- Obtain the cause-of-death information and certification statement from the attending practitioner or the medical examiner
- Review the certificate for completeness and accuracy
- File the certificate with the state or local official within the time limit specified by Florida law
- Notify the medical examiner of any death that is believed to have been due to an accident, suicide, or homicide, or to have occurred without medical attendance
- Obtain and use all necessary permits and other forms associated with the death registration system
- Cooperate with state or local registrars concerning queries on certificate entries
- Be thoroughly familiar with all laws, rules, and regulations governing the vital statistics system
The role of the funeral director in the death registration process is important. The death certificate is a permanent legal record of the fact of death of a person. As a permanent legal record, the certificate is extremely important to the decedent’s family. It is also needed for a variety of medical and health-related research efforts.
Amendments
Changes to the demographic portion of a death or fetal death record requires the completion and submission of an application and affidavit to the Bureau of Vital Statistics.
There is a $20 amendment fee associated with an amendment to the demographic portion, but one certificate is included in the amendment fee.
Instructions
Outlines requirements and documents needed for amendments or corrections.
DH524
Application for Amendment to Florida Death or Fetal Death Record
DH434a
Affidavit of Amendment to Medical Certification of Death
If you have any questions, contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics at 904-359-6900, ext. 2808.
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