DeSoto County Death Certificates and Vital Records
The Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County maintains all death records. Their Wauchula office serves residents daily. Records help with legal matters. Estate settlements require them. So do insurance claims. You can obtain certificates for Florida deaths from 2009 to present.
Where to Get DeSoto County Death Records
Visit the Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County for certified copies. Their office sits in Wauchula on 9th Avenue. Staff provide same-day service. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. The office also accepts mail requests for distant residents.
Death records flow from the state vital statistics system. This gives you choices. Use the Wauchula office. Or contact Jacksonville's Bureau of Vital Statistics. Both maintain identical Florida death records from 2009 forward.
| Office | Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County |
|---|---|
| Address | 34 N. 9th Ave., Wauchula, FL 33873 |
| Phone | (863) 773-4161 |
| Website | desoto.floridahealth.gov |
Call ahead. Confirm current hours before visiting.
How to Request Death Records in DeSoto County
Three methods exist. Each works differently. Pick what suits your schedule.
In-person visits deliver fastest results. Bring valid photo ID to the Wauchula office. Staff process requests while you wait. Most finish within the hour. You pay and leave with certified copies.
Mail requests suit those living far away. Write a letter. Include the deceased's name and death date. State your relationship. Attach ID copy. Send check or money order. Allow two to three weeks processing.
Online ordering uses VitalChek. Order from home anytime. Pay by credit card. Records ship after verification. This is Florida's only approved online vendor.
Fees for Death Records in DeSoto County
DeSoto County follows state fee guidelines. Costs are set by the Florida Department of Health.
Standard fees include:
- Search fee plus one certified copy: $5
- Each additional certified copy: $4
- Search fee per extra calendar year: $2 (max $50)
- VitalChek processing fee: $7
- Shipping and handling: $1
The $5 search fee is non-refundable. No exceptions.
Records before 2009 need special handling. The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville keeps these. A $10 rush fee applies for expedited service. Request through DeSoto office or contact the state directly.
Types of Death Records Available in DeSoto County
Florida offers two death certificate types. Each serves different purposes. Choose correctly.
Certificates without cause of death are public records. Any adult of legal age may request them. They show the deceased's name and dates. Place of death appears. Social Security numbers are partially redacted. This version handles most legal needs.
Certificates with cause of death remain confidential. Florida Statute 382.025 protects this data for 50 years. Only specific people qualify. Spouses, parents, children, grandchildren, and siblings may obtain them. Legal representatives also qualify. Proof of eligibility and photo ID are required.
Both types contain essential facts. Full legal name appears. So do birth date and death date. Funeral home and certifying physician are listed. Cause of death appears only on restricted versions. All DeSoto County certificates are certified for legal use.
Florida State Resources for DeSoto County Death Records
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics serves as backup. Their Jacksonville office holds all Florida death records. Contact them when local services cannot help. They specialize in records from before 2009.
Reach the Bureau by mail, phone, or online. Their address is P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. The physical office sits at 1217 N Pearl St., Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone orders go through VitalChek at 1-877-550-7330. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Online ordering through VitalChek provides convenience. The system verifies identity electronically. Pay by credit card. Records ship within days. Service fees are added.
Learn more at the Florida Department of Health website. Find forms, instructions, and current fees. Review Florida Statute 382 for vital records laws.
Cities in DeSoto County
DeSoto County has several communities. Wauchula serves as county seat. The health department office is located there. All cities use the same vital records office.
Other communities include Nocatee, Bowling Green, and Fort Ogden. Residents of these areas can visit the Wauchula office. Mail and online options work from any location.
Nearby Counties
These counties border DeSoto County. Contact their health departments directly for their death records. Each county maintains its own vital records office.