Lee County Death Records Office Services

Lee County death records are issued from the Florida Department of Health in North Fort Myers. This office serves three counties. Lee, Glades, and Hendry County residents all use this location. Death certificates prove a person has died. Families need them to close accounts and settle estates.

The office maintains records from 2009 forward. Staff print copies while you wait. Florida Statute Chapter 382 governs all procedures. Visit for fast, professional service.

Where to Get Lee County Death Records

Visit the Florida Department of Health in Lee County at 83 Pondella Road in North Fort Myers. This location serves three counties. Staff handle walk-in requests daily. They process mail orders too.

Records from 2009 forward stay here. Older records are at the state office in Jacksonville. The Lee County office works best for recent deaths. Same-day service is common.

Need autopsy reports? Contact the District 21 Medical Examiner at 70 South Danley Drive in Fort Myers. Call (239) 533-6339. They handle death investigations.

Note: The Lee County office serves as the vital records hub for Southwest Florida's inland counties.

How to Request Death Records in Lee County

Three ways exist. Each fits different needs. Choose what works best.

Visit the North Fort Myers office for same-day service. Bring valid photo ID. Show proof you qualify. Pay at the counter. Staff print your copy immediately. This option is fastest.

Mail your request if visiting is difficult. Fill out the state form. Include ID copy. Send check or money order. Mail to the Pondella Road address. Allow ten days for processing.

Order online through VitalChek. Visit their site to start. Extra fees apply. The service never closes. Most orders ship in three to five days.

Florida law restricts access to records with cause of death. This data stays private for fifty years. Family members can obtain them. Legal representatives with proof qualify too.

All requesters must show valid ID and proof of eligibility for certified copies.

Fees for Death Records in Lee County

The first copy costs twelve dollars. Each extra copy in the same order costs eight dollars. These fees cover staff time and record keeping.

The North Fort Myers office accepts cash, check, and money order. Make checks payable to the Florida Department of Health. Credit cards are not accepted for walk-in orders. Online orders use credit cards through VitalChek.

Rush fees apply for records before 2009. Those records are at the state archive. Add ten dollars for rush service. Regular mail orders take two weeks.

VitalChek charges service fees on top of state fees. Rush shipping costs more. Check your total before paying.

Types of Death Records Available

Two types are issued. Each serves different needs. Pick the right one.

Death certificates without cause of death are public records. Anyone can request them. They show name and date of death. They do not list how the person died. Banks accept them. Insurance firms accept them too.

Death certificates with cause of death are not public. Florida Statute 382.025 keeps this data private for fifty years. Only close family can obtain them. This includes spouses, parents, and children. Legal representatives can get them too.

The Lee County office helps you choose. Call with questions. Staff know what most agencies need. They guide you to the correct form.

Always ask what type you need before ordering.

Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics

The Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps all Florida death records. Their office is in Jacksonville. They hold records from 1877 to now. Most files are complete from 1917 onward.

Request records before 2009 from this office. Mail to 1217 N Pearl St., Jacksonville, FL 32202. Or call (904) 359-6900 for help.

Fees at the state level differ from county fees. Five dollars covers a one-year search. One certified copy is included if found. Each extra copy costs four dollars. Rush service adds ten dollars.

The Florida Department of Health website lists all rules. You can find forms there. The site explains who can get records.

You can also order online through VitalChek. This is the only state-approved vendor. They handle all online orders for Florida death records.

Florida Statute Chapter 382 governs all death records in the state.

Cities in Lee County

Several cities and towns comprise Lee County. All residents get death records from the North Fort Myers office. The county seat is Fort Myers.

Other areas include Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, and North Fort Myers. The Florida Department of Health in Lee County serves all these areas plus Glades and Hendry Counties.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Lee County. Contact their offices for records from those areas.