Begin your citation with the type of vital record and the name of the person for whom it was issued, followed by a comma. For example:
Birth Certificate for John A. Doe,
List the day, month and year that the birth certificate was issued, followed by a comma. For example:
Birth Certificate for John A. Doe, 11 January 1956,
List the file number followed by a comma if your record is still on file with the issuing agency. If not, skip this step. For example:
Birth Certificate for John A. Doe, 11 January 1956, File No. 11618989,
List the name of the issuing agency followed by a period. For example:
Birth Certificate for John A. Doe, 11 January 1956, File No. 11618989, Florida Department of Health.
End your citation with information that will allow your reader to locate the birth certificate if necessary. For example:
Birth Certificate for John A. Doe, 11 January 1956, File No. 11618989, Florida Department of Health. Certified copy in possession of author.
Birth Certificate for John A. Doe, 11 January 1956, File No. 11618989, Florida Department of Health. On file at the Sarasota County Recorder's Office.
If you accessed the record online, include the date on which you accessed it and the URL. Place this information in brackets. For example:
Birth Certificate for John A. Doe, 11 January 1956, File No. 11618989, Florida Department of Health. [Accessed 19 February 2011 from http://www.sacounty.com/vit/records/11618989/]