Plantation Death Records - Certificate Lookup

Looking for Plantation 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 Plantation 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.

Where to Get Death Records in Plantation

Death certificates come from the Broward County Health Department, not Plantation 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 Broward County Health Department provides same-day service for most in-person death certificate requests.

Broward County Health Department Services

The Broward County Health Department serves Plantation 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 The county office will guide you through requesting these historical documents.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 Plantation

Requesting death certificates in Plantation 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 Plantation

The Broward County Health Department charges state-set fees for death certificates. These fees apply to all requests from Plantation residents. Payment methods vary by how you submit your request.

The base fee for a certified death certificate is $10. This covers the first copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $10 each. Order all copies together to save money. Separate requests require full payment each time.

For in-person visits, the Broward County office accepts cash, check, money order, and credit cards. Some locations accept debit cards too. Call (954) 467-4839 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 Broward 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 Plantation Residents

Online ordering offers convenience for busy Plantation 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 Plantation

Understanding certificate types helps Plantation 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

Broward County encompasses Plantation 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.

View Broward County Death Records