Miami Gardens Death Records - Local Access Guide
Looking for Miami Gardens death records? Start at the Miami-Dade 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 Miami-Dade County office handles all requests from Miami Gardens 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.
Miami Gardens Quick Facts
Where to Get Death Records in Miami Gardens
Miami Gardens residents obtain death certificates from the Miami-Dade County Health Department. The city does not issue death certificates directly. State law requires county-level processing.
The health department serves all Miami Gardens 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 Miami-Dade County office.
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 serves Miami Gardens 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 The county office will guide you through requesting these historical documents.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 Miami Gardens
Miami Gardens residents have three ways to request death certificates. Each method suits different needs and timeframes. Choose the option that works best for your situation.
In-person visits provide the fastest results. Go to the Miami-Dade County Health Department during business hours. Bring your photo ID and payment. Fill out the application form at the office. Most requests finish while you wait. This method works best if you need records quickly.
Mail requests work for those who cannot visit in person. Download the application form from the Florida Health website. Complete all required fields. Include a copy of your photo ID. Add payment by check or money order. Mail your packet to the Miami-Dade County office address. Allow two weeks for processing.
Online ordering goes through VitalChek. This is the only state-approved online service. Visit VitalChek to place your order. You will pay the state fee plus a processing fee. Most online orders ship within 3 to 5 business days. This works well for Miami Gardens residents who prefer convenience.
You need specific information to request a death record. Have the full name of the deceased ready. Include the date of death and city or county where death occurred. Social Security numbers help narrow the search. Your relationship to the deceased may be required for some record types.
Fees for Death Records in Miami Gardens
Death certificate fees are set by Florida law. Miami Gardens residents pay the same rates across all request methods. The Miami-Dade County Health Department collects payment at time of service.
A certified copy costs $12 for the first document. Order multiple copies at once and pay $16 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 (305) 324-2405 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 Miami Gardens Residents
Skip the office visit. Miami Gardens 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 Gardens
Florida issues two types of death certificates. Miami Gardens 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 Gardens 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 Gardens 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.