Miami Beach Death Records - Local Access Guide
The Miami-Dade County Health Department issues all Miami Beach death certificates. Local residents cannot get these documents from city offices. State law requires county-level processing for every death record. These vital documents serve many purposes. Banks need them to close accounts. Insurance companies require them for claims. Attorneys use them in estate proceedings. The health department maintains Florida death records from 2009 forward. Earlier deaths are stored at the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. Both offices provide certified copies to qualified requesters who follow proper procedures and provide required identification.
Miami Beach Quick Facts
Where to Get Death Records in Miami Beach
Death certificates come from the Miami-Dade County Health Department, not Miami Beach city offices. Florida law mandates county-level processing for all death records. This ensures consistent handling and security across the state. You have several ways to request records. Visit in person for fastest service. Mail requests work for distant residents. Phone orders are not accepted by the health department.
Identification is required. Bring a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. The office verifies your identity before releasing any documents. Most walk-in requests receive same-day service. Busy days happen, so call ahead when possible.
Note: The Miami-Dade County Health Department provides same-day service for most in-person death certificate requests.
| Office | Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County |
|---|---|
| Address | 1350 N.W. 14th Street, Miami, FL 33125 |
| Phone | (305) 324-2405 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Website | miamidade.floridahealth.gov/certificates/ |
Miami-Dade County Health Department Services
The Miami-Dade County Health Department offers several vital records services for Miami Beach residents. Death certificates top the list of requested records. The office also provides birth certificates and other vital documents. Staff members help you complete application forms.
Services available at the Miami-Dade County office include certified death certificate copies. They also offer informational copies for genealogy research. Staff can explain the difference between these types. They will tell you which type fits your needs.
The health department follows Florida Statute 382.025. This law controls who can access death records with cause of death information. Public records without cause of death are available to anyone. Cause of death records remain confidential for 50 years.
Additional services include help with ordering records for deaths before 2009. These older records need special handling. The county office can guide you on requesting them from the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.
How to Request Death Records in Miami Beach
Three options exist for Miami Beach residents needing death certificates. Visit in person for fastest service. Mail your request if distance is an issue. Order online through VitalChek for convenience.
In-person requests usually finish same-day. Bring ID and payment. Fill out the form at the office. Mail takes about two weeks. Include a copy of your ID and payment. Online orders process in 3 to 5 business days. Additional fees apply.
Have key information ready before requesting. Full name of deceased. Date and place of death. Social Security number if known. Your relationship to the person. Some record types require proving eligibility.
Download forms from the Florida Health website. Complete all fields accurately. Incomplete requests cause delays.
Fees for Death Records in Miami Beach
The Miami-Dade County Health Department charges state-set fees for death certificates. These fees apply to all requests from Miami Beach residents. Payment methods vary by how you submit your request.
The base fee for a certified death certificate is $12. This covers the first copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $16 each. Order all copies together to save money. Separate requests require full payment each time.
For in-person visits, the Miami-Dade County office accepts cash, check, money order, and credit cards. Some locations accept debit cards too. Call (305) 324-2405 to confirm accepted payment methods. For mail requests, send check or money order only. Make checks payable to the Florida Department of Health.
VitalChek adds processing fees to online orders. These fees vary based on shipping speed selected. Rush delivery costs more than standard shipping. Review all charges before completing your online order.
Records prior to 2009 require an extra $10 rush fee if ordered through the state Bureau. This fee applies to archive searches. The Miami-Dade County office cannot waive this fee for older records.
Note: All fees are non-refundable, even if no record is found during the search.
Online Ordering Options for Miami Beach Residents
Skip the office visit. Miami Beach residents can order death certificates online through VitalChek. The state-approved service operates 24 hours a day. No appointment needed.
Start at the VitalChek website. Select Florida death certificates. The secure form asks for deceased person's full name, death date, and location. Records from 2009 forward are searchable through this system.
Provide your shipping address and contact information. Email notifications update you on order status. The tracking feature shows where your request stands.
Payment is secure and immediate. Major cards accepted. Your total combines the state fee with VitalChek's processing charge. Select standard or express shipping based on your urgency.
Delivery typically occurs within 3 to 5 business days for standard orders. Express shipping reduces this timeframe. The county office cannot expedite VitalChek orders.
Types of Death Certificates Available in Miami Beach
Florida issues two types of death certificates. Miami Beach residents can request either type through Miami-Dade County. Each type serves different purposes. Choose the right type for your needs.
Death Certificate Without Cause of Death is a public record. Anyone can request this type. You do not need to prove a relationship. This certificate shows the name of the deceased. It lists the date and place of death. It does not include medical information. This type works for most legal purposes. Banks accept it for account closure. Insurance companies use it for claims. Title companies need it for property transfers.
Death Certificate With Cause of Death contains medical information. Florida law protects this data for 50 years. Only eligible people can get this type. Eligible parties include the spouse, parents, children, and siblings. Legal representatives of the estate may also request it. A court order grants access too.
The cause of death section shows what led to the passing. It lists diseases or conditions. It may show accident details. Medical examiners provide this information. Not everyone needs this level of detail.
Both types carry the same legal weight for proving death. The difference is the medical information included. Most Miami Beach residents need the public version without cause of death. Choose the confidential version only if you have a specific need for medical details.
Note: Requesting a certificate with cause of death requires proof of eligibility and valid photo identification.
Miami-Dade County Death Records
Miami-Dade County encompasses Miami Beach and neighboring communities. The county health department serves all residents within its boundaries. Learn more about area-wide services and resources on the county death records page.