Find Florida Death Records
Florida death records provide legal proof of death for estates, insurance claims, and family history research. The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains these official documents. Records date back to 1877, though most files start from 1917. You can request death certificates online, by mail, or in person. Fees begin at $5 for a search. Two types exist: certificates without cause of death are public, while those with cause remain confidential for 50 years. All 67 Florida counties issue death records through local County Health Departments.
Florida Death Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Florida Death Records
The Bureau of Vital Statistics serves as the main source for Florida death records. This office sits at 1217 N Pearl St., Jacksonville, FL 32202. They hold records from 2009 to the present day. Older records from 1917 to 2008 sit in a separate archive. Some files date back as far as 1877. You can reach them by phone at (904) 359-6900. The Bureau handles all requests by mail and walk-in visits. Wait times vary based on the year of death.
Every county in Florida has a County Health Department. These local offices also issue death certificates. You can visit the health department in the county where the death took place. Many offer same-day service for recent deaths. The staff can help you fill out forms. They also take payment for state fees. This local option works well if you live far from Jacksonville. It also helps if you need records fast.
The Florida Department of Health provides online facts about death records. Their site lists all the rules. You can find forms there too.
Note: The Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps the master index for all Florida death records.
How to Search Death Records in Florida
Florida offers three ways to search for death records. Each method fits different needs. Online orders work best for speed. Mail requests cost less but take more time. In-person visits give you same-day results at most offices.
VitalChek handles all online death record orders for Florida. This is the only state-approved web service. Visit VitalChek to place your order. You will need the full name of the person who died. You also need the date and place of death. The site charges the state fee plus a service fee. Rush orders are available for an extra cost. Most online orders finish in 3 to 5 days.
Mail requests go to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. You must fill out the proper form. Include a copy of your photo ID. Add payment by check or money order. Send your packet to 1217 N Pearl St., Jacksonville, FL 32202. Allow 10 to 15 days for mail orders. Rush service costs an extra $10 for deaths before 2009.
In-person visits work at the Jacksonville office or any County Health Department. Bring your ID and payment. Staff can print your copy while you wait. This works for deaths from 2009 onward. Older records may need more time to find.
Types of Death Records in Florida
Florida issues two kinds of death certificates. Each type serves a different use. The law sets who can get each one. You must pick the right type for your needs.
The Death Certificate Without Cause of Death is a public record. Anyone can request this type. It shows the person's name, date of death, and place of death. It does not list how the person died. This form works for most legal needs. You can use it to close bank accounts. It helps with property transfers. Insurance claims often need this type. The cost starts at $5 for the first copy.
The Death Certificate With Cause of Death is not public. Florida Statute 382.025 keeps this data private for 50 years. Only close family can get it. This list includes the spouse, parents, children, and siblings. Legal reps and those with a court order may also ask. This type shows the cause of death. It lists the health issues that led to the death. Medical examiners add this facts. Researchers and doctors often need this form. The fees are the same as the public type.
Who Can Request Death Records
Florida law sets clear rules about who can get death records. These rules protect privacy. They also make sure records stay open for valid uses.
Any person can get a Death Certificate Without Cause of Death. You do not need to prove a relationship. You do not need to state your reason. These records are fully public. This open access helps with legal and money matters. It aids family research too.
For Death Certificates With Cause of Death, the list is short. The spouse of the dead person may ask. Parents and children can also get them. Grandchildren and siblings have rights too. Legal reps who act for the estate may request them. You must prove who you are. You must show how you relate to the dead person. A court order can also grant access. After 50 years pass, anyone can get the full record with cause of death included.
Funeral directors often handle the first death record orders. They work with families right after a death. They file the record with the state. They can order copies for the family too.
Florida Death Records Laws and Rules
Florida laws control how death records are kept and shared. The main law is Florida Statute Chapter 382. This law covers vital records in the state.
Florida Statute 382.025 sets the privacy rules. It says cause of death data is secret for 50 years. This rule protects family dignity. It guards sensitive health facts. The law names who can see this data before 50 years pass. Violating this law can bring fines.
Florida Statute 382.008 sets filing rules. Funeral directors must file death records within 5 days. They send the facts to the local registrar. The state then adds the record to its files. Late filings can cause problems for estates and insurance.
Amendments to death records follow strict rules. You cannot change facts without proof. A court order may be needed for big changes. Small errors need sworn statements. The Bureau of Vital Statistics checks all requests.
Note: Always check current statutes as laws may change over time.
Death Record Fees in Florida
Fees for Florida death records follow a set scale. The Bureau of Vital Statistics and County Health Departments use the same costs. Extra fees may apply based on how you order.
The base fee is $5. This covers a search of the records. It also pays for one certified copy. If no record is found, the fee still applies. Each extra copy in the same order costs $4. Order all copies at once to save money. Rush service adds $10 for deaths before 2009. This speeds up mail requests.
VitalChek charges extra service fees. These pay for the online system. The fees vary by order type. Rush shipping costs more too. Check the total before you pay online.
County Health Departments may take cash, check, or card. The Jacksonville office takes check or money order for mail. In-person visits offer more ways to pay. Call ahead to ask what payments they accept.
How to Get Copies of Florida Death Records
Getting copies of death records in Florida is simple. You must follow the steps for your chosen method. Each way has its own needs.
For online orders, go to VitalChek. Pick Florida as the state. Choose death certificate as the record type. Fill in the facts about the dead person. Add your contact info and shipping address. Pay with a credit or debit card. Print your receipt. Most orders ship in 3 to 5 days.
For mail orders, download the form from the Florida Health website. Fill it out with a pen. Include a copy of your driver's license. Write a check or get a money order for $5. Add $4 for each extra copy. Mail it all to the Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St., Jacksonville, FL 32202. Allow two weeks for processing.
For in-person visits, find your local County Health Department. Or drive to the Jacksonville office. Bring your photo ID and payment. Fill out the request form there. Staff will help you if needed. Many offices print copies while you wait.
Are Death Records Public in Florida
Florida death records are partly public and partly private. The law draws a line between the two types. This split balances public needs with family privacy.
Death Certificates Without Cause of Death are fully public. Anyone can view or buy them. You do not need a reason. You do not need to be related. This openness helps with many tasks. Banks need them to close accounts. Title companies use them for home sales. Genealogists search them for family trees. The public can trust that these records exist and are true.
Death Certificates With Cause of Death are not public for 50 years. The cause of death is sensitive. It may involve mental health, suicide, or disease. Families deserve privacy in these matters. The 50-year rule gives time for this privacy. After that, historians and researchers can access the full facts. This helps track public health trends over time.
Certain groups can access full records early. These include legal reps and heirs. They must show they have a right to know. The state checks all such requests. This stops misuse of sensitive data.
Note: Death records are never part of employment or tenant screening processes in Florida.
Browse Florida Death Records by County
Each of the 67 counties in Florida maintains death records through their County Health Department. Select a county below to find local contact information and resources for obtaining death certificates in that area.
Death Records in Major Florida Cities
Major cities across Florida provide access to death records through their County Health Departments. Select a city below to learn more about obtaining death certificates in that area.