Manatee County Death Records Office Services

Manatee County death records are issued from the Florida Department of Health in Bradenton. This office serves all Manatee County residents on the Gulf Coast. Death certificates prove a person has died. Families need them for banks, insurance claims, and estates. The office is open Monday through Friday. Staff can print copies while you wait. Visit them for fast service.

Where to Get Manatee County Death Records

The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County is in Bradenton. The office sits at 410 6th Avenue East. This location is easy to reach from all parts of the county. It is the main place for local death records.

Office hours are Monday through Friday. The office opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. Plan your visit during these times. Staff are ready to help with your request.

This office holds death records from 2009 forward. Older records are at the state office. The Bradenton office is best for recent deaths. Same-day service is common here.

Note: The Manatee County office offers some of the lowest death certificate fees in Florida.

How to Request Death Records in Manatee County

You have three ways to get Manatee County death records. Each method fits different needs. Pick the one that works for you.

Visit the Bradenton office for same-day service. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Bring your photo ID. Show proof you qualify for the record. Pay the fee at the counter. Staff will print your copy while you wait.

Mail your request if you cannot visit. Fill out the state form. Include a copy of your ID. Send payment by check or money order. Allow ten to fifteen days for processing.

Order online through VitalChek. This is the state-approved vendor. Visit their website to start. You will need a credit card. Most orders ship in three to five days.

Florida law limits who can get records with cause of death. This data stays private for fifty years. Immediate family can access these records. Legal reps with proof can also get them.

Note: All requests require valid photo ID and proof of eligibility for certified copies.

Fees for Death Records in Manatee County

Manatee County offers competitive fees for death records. Each death certificate costs eight dollars. This applies to first copies and additional copies. These fees help keep vital records services running.

The Bradenton office accepts multiple payment types. You can pay with cash. Checks are welcome. Money orders work too. Credit cards are also accepted. This range of options makes payment easy.

Make checks payable to the Florida Department of Health. Return checks incur a fee. Call the office if you have fee questions. Staff can explain costs for special cases.

VitalChek adds service fees to online orders. The amount varies by order type. Express shipping costs more. Check your total before you pay.

Types of Death Records Available

Manatee County issues two types of death certificates. Each serves a different need. Pick the right one for your task.

Death certificates without cause of death are public records. Anyone can request these. They show the name and date of death. They do not list the cause. This type works for most legal needs. Banks accept them. So do insurance firms.

Death certificates with cause of death are not public. Florida law keeps this data private for fifty years. Only close family can get them. This includes spouses, parents, and children. Legal reps can also request them.

The Manatee County office can help you choose. Call them with questions. Staff know what most agencies need. They will guide you to the correct form.

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. Files are most 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.

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 the rules. You can find forms there too.

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

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

Cities in Manatee County

Manatee County includes several cities and towns. All residents can get death records from the Bradenton office. The county seat is Bradenton.

Other areas in Manatee County include Lakewood Ranch and Ellenton. The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County serves all these Gulf Coast communities.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Manatee County. Contact their offices for records from those areas.