requesting a Death Certificate
Without Cause of Death
Any person of legal age (18 or over) may apply for a certified copy of a death record without the cause of death. The first five digits of the decedent’s social security number will be redacted.
Cause of Death Information
Death records less than 50 years old with the cause of death and full social security number are confidential and may only be issued to:
- Decedent’s spouse or parent
- Decedent’s child, grandchild or sibling, if of legal age (18)
- Any person who provides a will, insurance policy or other document that demonstrates his or her interest in the estate
- Any person who provides documentation that he or she is acting on behalf of any of the above-named persons
- By court order
Social Security Numbers held by the Florida Department of Health on death certificates are confidential and will only be issued to an eligible party requesting a confidential record, regardless of the date of death, in accordance with section 119.071 Florida Statutes.
The first five digits of the decedent’s social security number will be redacted when issuing a public record request.
Photo ID Required
Valid photo identification is required when requesting cause of death information. If applicant is not one of the above, the application must be accompanied by a notarized Affidavit to Release Cause of Death Information (DH Form 1959) signed by one of the above, along with any supporting documentation and a copy of valid photo ID of both the person authorizing release and the applicant.
Ordering a Florida Death Certificate
Any person who willfully and knowingly provides any false information on a certificate, record or report required by Chapter 382, F.S., or on an application or affidavit, or who obtains confidential information from any vital record under false or fraudulent purposes, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in Chapter 775, F.S..
Limited deaths were recorded between 1877 and 1917
Order Online with VitalChek
Order online with a credit card from VitalChek® and have your certificates delivered right to your door.
VitalChek is the only contracted vendor for the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics. We do not recommend using any other online vendor. The application process requires you to share personal information, so security and confidentiality is critical. We can only guarantee your privacy if you order through VitalChek.
Fees
| $15 | Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics fee for the first certificate (includes $5 search fee for one calendar year and a $10 rush fee). Some county health departments accept VitalChek orders, and county health department fees do vary |
| $7 | VitalChek processing fee to verify your identity, obtain ordering information and download your request directly to the Bureau of Vital Statistics |
| $4 | Additional certificates |
| $2 | Search fee per calendar year when exact year is unknown (maximum fee $50) |
UPS shipping is available for an additional fee and requires signature upon delivery. Regular mail may be selected as a shipping method for no additional cost.
Use VitalChek® to start your online order or call VitalChek at 877-550-7330 to order by phone. If calling from outside the U.S., call 1-615-372-6800.
Order from Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Bureau of Vital Statistics offers walk-in or mail-in services. To save time, download and complete the forms you need.
- DH727 Application for a Death Record (English)
- DH727S Application for a Death Record (Spanish)
Fees
A $5 search fee is included in all orders and is NON-REFUNDABLE.
| $5 | Search fee for one calendar year and one certified copy |
| $4 | Additional certified copies |
| $2 | Search fee per calendar year when exact year is unknown (maximum fee $50) |
| $10 | Rush fee (required for records prior to 2009 for same day walk in service, when available) |
| $1 | Shipping and handling fee |
Type of Request
Request by Walk-in
1217 N Pearl St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Lobby hours:
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Records prior to 2009 required a $10 rush fee for same day service, when available. Walk-in payments may be made in the form of cash, check, money order, Visa, and Mastercard. We do not accept contactless payment or tap to pay.
Request by Mail-in
Florida Department of Health, Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, Fl 32231-0042
Normal processing time for death certificates from 2009 to present is 3-5 business days not including shipping time. Records prior to 2009 require additional processing time.
Rush orders are given priority processing and require an additional $10 fee. Mark the outside of your envelope RUSH. All orders, including RUSH orders are mailed standard U.S.P.S. unless a special prepaid delivery envelope is provided.
Request in writing
Please include the following information along with a copy of your valid photo identification (for cause of death), payment, and any supporting documentation. Information about the person named on the certificate:
- Full name on death record
- Sex
- Date of death (if unknown, specify range of years to be searched and provide additional fee of $2 per calendar year)
- Date of birth
- City or county of death
- Social Security number
Information about you (or the person requesting the certificate):
- Full name
- Relationship to decedent
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- Signature of applicant
- If you are a funeral director or an attorney, please provide the name of the individual you represent and their relationship to the decedent, along with your professional license number
Type of Certificate:
- Death certificate without cause of death (public record)
- Death certificate with cause of death (confidential for 50 years – VALID PHOTO IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED).
Photo Identification: Copy of applicant’s valid photo identification is required: driver’s license, state identification card, passport, military identification card.
Payment: Check or money order payable to Vital Statistics. DO NOT send cash. International payments must be made by cashier’s check or money order in U.S. Dollars from a U.S. bank.
- Florida Law imposes an additional service charge of $15 for dishonored checks.
- Fees are nonrefundable, except fee paid for additional copies when no record is found. These are refunded on written request.
Order from Local County Health Departments
Mail-in or Walk-in to a local county health department in Florida for deaths occurring from 2009 to present only.
County health department fees do vary.
Deaths that occurred outside of Florida or U.S.
For deaths that occurred outside of Florida, visit the National Center of Health Statistics.
For deaths that occurred outside of the U.S., visit the U.S. Department of State.
Help Us Improve
The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics is always looking for ways to improve our services. Have you contacted or visited us? Tell us about your experience!