Introduction to Florida Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Florida Death certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal Death certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Death certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Death certificate.  

Florida Death Certificates have been maintained by the Florida Office of Vital Statistics, Department of Health for individuals who died in the state of Florida since 1877. The majority of records date from January 1917.

Florida Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By Florida state law, Florida Death certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Spouse of Person Named on the Florida Death Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Florida Death Certificate
• Child of Person Named on the Florida Death Certificate
• Grandchild of Person Named on the Florida Death Certificate
• Sibling of Person Named on the Florida Death Certificate
• To any person who provides a "Will" that has been executed pursuant to state statute 732.502; an insurance policy or other document that demonstrates his or her interest in the estate of the decedent
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Florida Death Certificate

Florida Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain an Florida Death Certificate, 50 years or later from the date of the death for genealogy or other reasons.

Florida Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Florida Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Florida Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Florida Death Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Florida Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Florida Death certificate online.  It usually takes 10 business days upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Florida Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Florida Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Florida Death certificate
• Sex on the Florida Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Florida Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Florida Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Florida Death certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Bureau of Vital Statistics

Attn: Customer Services

P.O. Box 210

Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Florida: You may go to any county health department in the State of Florida to obtain a certified copy of a Florida Death certificate. Most Florida Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Florida Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Florida Death certificate is $5.00 for a computer certificate.  If a certificate is not found then a “Certificate of Failure to Find" will be issued.  Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to “Vital Statistics." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.