Contact us – Probate Court Records is your starting point when you need official Florida death records, certified death certificates, and vital record services. This page lists the exact government offices, phone numbers, websites, addresses, and hours that handle death certificate orders, replacements, and genealogy requests across Florida in 2026.
We are a private information site, not a government agency, so we do not issue records ourselves. Our role is to point you directly to the right office, the right form, and the right fee so you can get your record without delay.
Official Florida Death Record Sources
Florida death records are managed by state and county government offices. The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) runs the Bureau of Vital Statistics, which holds records from 1917 to the present for all 67 Florida counties. Older records, called historical death records, are kept at the State Archives. County health departments also accept death certificate applications in person. Each office has its own phone number, address, and processing times.
Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Bureau of Vital Statistics is the main state office for death certificate orders. It issues certified copies of death certificates that work for legal, financial, and insurance purposes. The office accepts mail requests, online orders through approved vendors, and walk-in requests at the Jacksonville location. Processing times vary based on the year of death and the request method you choose.
- Office: Bureau of Vital Statistics, Florida Department of Health
- Address: 1217 North Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
- Phone: (904) 359-6900
- Website: www.floridahealth.gov (search “vital records”)
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
County Health Department Death Certificate Services
Every Florida county has a county health department that can issue death certificates for deaths that happened in that county. These offices serve walk-in customers and accept mail requests. They are often faster than the state office for recent deaths. You can find your local county health department through the FDOH website or by calling the county clerk’s office for a direct referral.
How to Order a Florida Death Certificate
You can order a Florida death certificate in three ways: in person, by mail, or online. Each method has its own form, fee, and processing time. The method you pick depends on how fast you need the record, where the death happened, and whether you qualify as an eligible applicant. Florida law limits who can order a certified death certificate to protect privacy.
Who Can Order a Death Certificate in Florida
Florida law lists specific people who can order a certified copy of a death certificate. This list exists to stop fraud and protect family privacy. If you are not on the list, the state will reject your application. The eligible applicant list includes immediate family members, legal representatives, and people with a court order.
- Spouse of the deceased
- Parent or stepparent of the deceased
- Child, grandchild, or sibling of the deceased
- Legal guardian or legal representative
- Person with a court order or written authorization
- Funeral home or licensed funeral director handling the burial
- Government agency for official duties
Documents Required for a Death Certificate Request
You must send certain documents with every death certificate application. These items prove your identity and your relationship to the person on the record. Missing documents cause delays or rejection. The state of Florida accepts current government-issued photo IDs and signed affidavits for most requests.
- Completed Florida death certificate application form (DH 261 or equivalent)
- Valid photo ID of the applicant (driver license, state ID, passport)
- Proof of relationship to the deceased (birth certificate, marriage certificate, court order)
- Payment for the correct fee (check, money order, or credit card)
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for mail requests
Florida Death Certificate Fees in 2026
The Florida death certificate fee is set by state law and does not change often. The standard fee covers one certified copy of the record. You can order extra copies at the same price per copy. Online orders through approved vendors cost more because the vendor adds a service fee for processing and shipping.
| Request Type | Fee Per Copy | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| In person at county health department | $15.00 | Same day for available records |
| Mail request to state office | $15.00 | 5 to 10 business days |
| Online order (approved vendor) | $15.00 plus vendor fee | 3 to 7 business days |
| Rush processing (in person) | $15.00 plus rush fee | 1 to 3 business days |
| Genealogy request (older records) | $15.00 | 10 to 15 business days |
Florida Death Records Search Methods
You can search Florida death records through the state death index, county records, and approved third-party databases. Each method works best for different types of searches. Recent deaths appear in the state index within weeks. Historical deaths from 1917 to 1948 appear in the Florida State Archives collection. Genealogy researchers often use all three sources to build a full family picture.
Florida Death Index Lookup
The Florida death index is a database of death records that you can search by name, year, and county. The index lists the name of the deceased, the year of death, the county, and the certificate number. The index does not show full record details. You need to order a certified copy through the Bureau of Vital Statistics to get the full death certificate with cause of death, date, and place.
Florida County Death Records by Location
Large Florida counties keep their own death record databases for deaths that happened within county lines. These records include Miami-Dade County, Orange County, Hillsborough County, and other high-population areas. County records are often the fastest way to get a death certificate if the death happened locally. Each county clerk’s office or county health department handles requests for their area.
| County | Office Type | Contact Method |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County | County Health Department | 305-324-2400 |
| Orange County (Orlando) | County Health Department | 407-858-1400 |
| Hillsborough County (Tampa) | County Health Department | 813-307-8000 |
| Broward County (Fort Lauderdale) | County Health Department | 954-467-4700 |
| Duval County (Jacksonville) | County Health Department | 904-253-1000 |
Florida Obituaries Search
Florida obituaries are not the same as death certificates, but they help confirm a death before you order an official record. Local newspapers, funeral home websites, and online obituary databases post obituaries within days of a death. Obituaries usually list the full name, age, date of death, and surviving family members. You can use this data to fill out your death certificate application correctly.
Florida Death Certificate Replacement and Updates
A death certificate replacement is a new certified copy of an existing record. You can order a replacement if you lost the original, if the original was damaged, or if you need extra copies for estate matters. The state issues replacement copies with the same legal weight as the first copy. You follow the same order process and pay the same fee.
Correcting Errors on a Florida Death Certificate
Spelling errors, wrong dates, and missing data on a Florida death certificate can be fixed. The correction process requires a sworn statement, supporting documents, and a small fee. Common corrections include name spelling fixes, date adjustments, and parent name additions. You file corrections through the Bureau of Vital Statistics using Form DH 263 or the online correction portal.
Adding a Cause of Death to a Florida Record
Florida death certificates include a cause of death section, but early records often left this field blank. You can request an amendment to add a cause of death if the medical examiner or attending physician files an affidavit. This process protects public health data and helps genealogy researchers who need medical history for family research.
Florida Historical Death Records and Genealogy Research
Florida historical death records cover deaths from 1877 to 1916. The State Archives of Florida holds these records in original paper format and on microfilm. You can search the archive index online and order copies by mail. Genealogy death records Florida are open to the public for older records, while recent records stay restricted to eligible applicants under state law.
How to Access Florida Death Records Archive
The Florida State Archives and the Bureau of Vital Statistics work together on older records. You can search the archive online database, visit the archives in person, or order copies through the mail. The archive address, hours, and contact details help you plan a visit or a request.
- Office: State Archives of Florida
- Address: 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
- Phone: (850) 245-6719
- Website: dos.myflorida.com/library-archives
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Genealogy Death Records Florida Access Rules
Florida restricts access to death records for 50 years after the date of death under state law. After 50 years, death records become public for genealogy research. Records from 1976 and earlier are open to the public in 2026. Records from 1977 to the present require an eligible applicant. This rule balances privacy with the public interest in family history research.
Florida Vital Records Office Contact Details
The Florida vital records office is your main contact for all birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. The office runs a call center, a website, and a mail room. You can reach the office by phone during business hours for help with forms, fees, and status checks. The website has downloadable forms and online ordering links.
FDOH Vital Records Phone and Email
The FDOH vital records call center handles questions about death certificates, birth certificates, and marriage records. Wait times are shortest early in the morning. Email support works for non-urgent questions and form clarification. The call center can also help you check the status of a mail request if you have your confirmation number ready.
- Main phone: (904) 359-6900
- Automated status line: available 24 hours a day
- Email: vitalrecords@flhealth.gov
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Florida Death Records 2026 Processing Updates
The Florida Department of Health updated its vital records system in 2025 to speed up online orders and reduce mail delays. The 2026 system now offers real-time status tracking for online orders and faster processing for county health department requests. Death records from 2026 are added to the index within 30 days of the death registration date, which shortens the wait for new records.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Death Records
This FAQ section answers the most common questions we receive about Florida death certificates, vital records, and contact methods. Each answer is based on current state law and FDOH rules for 2026. The answers cover eligibility, fees, processing times, and common errors that cause request delays.
How long does it take to get a death certificate in Florida?
Processing time depends on the request method. In-person requests at a county health department often finish the same day for records that are on file. Mail requests to the state office take 5 to 10 business days, not including mail transit time. Online orders through approved vendors take 3 to 7 business days plus shipping. Rush processing is available in person for an extra fee. Records for deaths that happened more than 50 years ago can take longer because the archive team pulls the original file.
Can I get a death certificate if I am not a family member?
Florida law limits certified death certificate orders to specific people. The eligible applicant list includes family members, legal representatives, funeral directors, and government agencies. You can still search the public death index and read obituaries if you are not on the list. Genealogy researchers can order older records (50 years and older) without proving a family relationship. A court order can also give you access to a recent record if you have a legal reason.
What is the difference between a certified copy and an informational copy?
A certified copy has a raised seal, a signature, and full legal power for banks, courts, and insurance claims. An informational copy shows the same data but does not have the official seal and cannot be used for legal purposes. Florida issues both types through different request forms. Certified copies cost the same as informational copies, but the request process has stricter ID rules to prevent fraud.
Can I order a Florida death certificate from another state?
Yes. You can order a Florida death certificate from any U.S. state by mail or online. The mail request goes to the Jacksonville state office or the county health department where the death happened. Online orders work through approved vendors that ship nationwide. You still need to meet Florida eligibility rules, send the right ID, and pay the Florida fee. Out-of-state applicants often use online vendors because mail takes longer across state lines.
What if the death happened many years ago and I cannot find the record?
Older records can be harder to find if the spelling changed, the county boundaries shifted, or the name was recorded wrong. You can search the Florida death index by name and year, check county records for the year of death, and look at funeral home records from the same area. The State Archives can also pull microfilm records for deaths before 1917. A professional genealogist can help with hard cases if you need a certified copy for legal reasons.
Are Florida death records public?
Florida death records are not public for the first 50 years after the date of death. After 50 years, the records become public for genealogy and historical research. The current cutoff in 2026 is deaths from 1976 and earlier. Records from 1977 to the present require an eligible applicant. The state death index itself is searchable online for all years, but the full record details stay restricted until the 50-year mark.
Can I use a Florida death certificate in another country?
Yes. A certified Florida death certificate works for international legal matters, but some countries require an apostille or additional authentication. The Florida Secretary of State issues apostilles for vital records. You order the certified copy first, then send it to the Secretary of State’s office for the apostille stamp. The whole process takes a few weeks and costs an extra fee. Embassy requirements vary, so check with the destination country before you order.