Fort Lauderdale Death Records - Local Access Guide
Looking for Fort Lauderdale death records? Start at the Broward County Health Department. The city itself does not issue death certificates. Florida law directs all vital records through county health departments. Death certificates provide legal proof of passing. Families need them to settle estates and close accounts. The Broward County office handles all requests from Fort Lauderdale residents. Records date back to 2009. Need older records? Contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville directly. Staff at both locations can help you navigate the process and find what you need for legal matters.
Fort Lauderdale Quick Facts
Where to Get Death Records in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale residents obtain death certificates from the Broward County Health Department. The city does not issue death certificates directly. State law requires county-level processing.
The health department serves all Fort Lauderdale residents. Staff provide certified copies of Florida death records. Visit in person during business hours. Phone orders are not accepted. Mail requests work well with advance planning.
The office handles walk-in requests during open hours. Bring valid photo identification. Acceptable IDs include driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Call ahead to confirm wait times. Some days are busier than others at the Broward County office.
Note: The Broward County Health Department provides same-day service for most in-person death certificate requests.
| Office | Florida Department of Health in Broward County |
|---|---|
| Address | 2421-A S.W. 6th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 |
| Phone | (954) 467-4839 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | broward.floridahealth.gov/certificates/ |
Broward County Health Department Services
The Broward County Health Department serves Fort Lauderdale with comprehensive vital records services. Certified copies of death certificates are the most requested item. Staff also assist with birth certificates and genealogy requests. They follow strict privacy laws under Florida Statute 382.025. This statute determines who can access records with cause of death information.
Older records require special handling. Deaths before 2009 are archived at the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. The county office will guide you through requesting these historical documents. Both locations work together to serve families.
How to Request Death Records in Fort Lauderdale
Requesting death certificates in Fort Lauderdale is straightforward. The Broward County Health Department accepts in-person visits, mail requests, and online orders through VitalChek. Each method has different processing times and requirements.
Walking into the office remains the quickest way to get records. Bring government-issued photo identification and the correct payment amount. Staff will assist you with the application form. Most requests are completed while you wait. Mail requests require downloading the form from the state website, completing it fully, attaching ID copies, and including payment. Send everything to the county office address. Expect approximately two weeks for processing.
Online ordering through VitalChek offers the convenience of home access. The service adds processing fees to the state certificate cost. Standard shipping takes several business days. Express options are available for urgent needs. Have the deceased's full name, death date, and location ready before starting your order.
Fees for Death Records in Fort Lauderdale
Death certificate fees are set by Florida law. Fort Lauderdale residents pay the same rates across all request methods. The Broward County Health Department collects payment at time of service.
A certified copy costs $10 for the first document. Order multiple copies at once and pay $10 for each additional certificate. This saves money compared to separate requests. In-person visitors can pay with cash, check, money order, or credit card. Contact the office at (954) 467-4839 to confirm current payment options.
Mailed requests must include check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Cash is not accepted through mail for obvious security reasons. Online orders via VitalChek incur additional processing fees that vary by delivery speed selected.
Historical records from before 2009 carry an extra $10 state search fee. This charge funds the archive retrieval process. No fee waivers are available.
Note: All fees are non-refundable, even if no record is found during the search.
Online Ordering Options for Fort Lauderdale Residents
Online ordering offers convenience for busy Fort Lauderdale residents. You can request death certificates without leaving home. The process takes about 10 minutes to complete.
VitalChek operates the official online ordering system for Florida. This service partners directly with the state. Your information stays secure throughout the process. Visit VitalChek Florida Death Certificates to begin.
The online system asks for details about the deceased. Enter the full legal name as it appears on the record. Provide the date and place of death. The city or county of death must be in Florida. The system searches records from 2009 to present.
You will also enter your contact information. Provide your mailing address for certificate delivery. Include a phone number and email. VitalChek sends order updates by email. You can track your request status online.
Payment happens through secure online processing. Most major credit and debit cards are accepted. The total includes the state certificate fee. A VitalChek processing fee is added. Shipping costs depend on your selected delivery speed.
Processing time varies by order type. Standard orders take 3 to 5 business days. Express shipping speeds up delivery. The Broward County office does not control VitalChek processing times.
Types of Death Certificates Available in Fort Lauderdale
Understanding certificate types helps Fort Lauderdale residents choose correctly. Florida offers public and confidential death certificates. The difference lies in medical information inclusion.
Public certificates display the deceased's name, death date, and location. They omit cause of death details. Anyone may purchase these documents. No special eligibility requirements apply. Most legal purposes accept this version.
Confidential certificates add medical information. Florida Statute 382.025 restricts distribution. Immediate family members and legal representatives qualify. Fifty years must pass before public access is granted.
Choose based on your specific situation. Banks, insurers, and government agencies typically need only the public version. Medical history is relevant for certain insurance claims and legal proceedings.
Note: Requesting a certificate with cause of death requires proof of eligibility and valid photo identification.
Broward County Death Records
Fort Lauderdale is located in Broward County, Florida. The county health department maintains death records for all cities within the county. This includes Fort Lauderdale and surrounding communities. For more information about services, fees, and resources throughout the county, visit the Broward County death records page.