Where to Request a Death Certificate in Florida
You can request a death certificate from the Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics. This is the official state office that holds all death records filed in Florida. You do not have to visit in person — you can request by mail, phone, or online through their website.
The Office of Vital Statistics is located in Jacksonville, but they process requests from anywhere. If the death occurred in Florida, the record is there. If the death occurred outside Florida but the person was a Florida resident, you may still find the record in Florida's system, though you should verify first.
You can also request from the county health department where the death occurred, though the state office is usually faster. Some counties have local vital records offices that handle requests on behalf of the state.
Key Takeaways
- The Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds all Florida death records and processes requests by mail, phone, or online.
- You will need to provide the deceased person's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the correct record.
- Certified copies cost between $15 and $30 per copy depending on the method you choose, and processing takes 5 to 10 business days by mail or 1 to 2 business days online.
- You must show a relationship to the deceased or a legal reason to receive the certificate — the office will ask what you need it for.
- If you cannot find the record in Florida, the death may have been recorded in another state or may not yet be filed in the system.
What Information You Need Before You Request
Gather these details about the deceased person before you contact the Office of Vital Statistics: full legal name, date of birth, date of death, and the city or county where the death occurred. The more complete your information, the faster they can locate the record.
If you do not know the exact date of death, provide the month and year and the approximate location. The office can search a wider range, but it takes longer. If the person used a different name at different times (maiden name, name change, nickname on the death certificate), mention that too.
How to Request by Mail
Send a written request to the Office of Vital Statistics with the deceased person's information and your relationship to them. Include a check or money order for the fee — currently $15 for a certified copy ordered by mail. Do not send cash.
Mail your request to:
Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics P.O. Box 210 Jacksonville, FL 32231-0210
Processing takes 5 to 10 business days after the office receives your request. Mail delivery adds time on both ends, so plan for 2 to 3 weeks total. You can call ahead at 904-359-6900 to confirm the current fee and processing time.
How to Request Online or by Phone
The Office of Vital Statistics offers online ordering through their website at vitalstatistics.dhh.state.fl.us. You create an account, enter the deceased person's information, pay by credit card, and receive the certificate by mail. This method costs $30 per copy but processes in 1 to 2 business days.
You can also call 904-359-6900 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time) to request by phone. Have your credit card ready. The phone line can be busy, especially early in the week, so try mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
Both online and phone requests require you to state your relationship to the deceased — for example, spouse, adult child, parent, or attorney. The office uses this to confirm you have a legitimate reason for the record.
Who Can Request a Death Certificate
Florida law allows when ready family members, legal representatives, and people with a documented need to request a death certificate. when ready family includes the spouse, parents, adult children, and siblings. You may also request if you are the executor of the estate, the guardian of a minor child of the deceased, or an attorney handling the estate.
If you are not a family member, you will need to explain your reason when you request. Common reasons include settling the estate, claiming life insurance, or handling property transfers. The office will ask but will not deny the request for most legitimate reasons.
If the death is very recent (within the last few days), the record may not yet be filed in the system. Funeral homes typically file the death certificate with the state within 3 to 5 business days. If you cannot find the record, contact the funeral home or the county health department to confirm it has been filed.
What Happens If You Cannot Find the Record
If the Office of Vital Statistics cannot locate the death record after you request it, ask them to search again with slightly different information — a nickname, a middle initial you were unsure of, or a different spelling of the name. Records are filed under the name that appears on the death certificate, which may differ from what you expected.
If the death occurred in Florida but the record is not there, the death certificate may have been filed in the county where the person was living at the time, not where they died. You can contact the health department in that county directly. You can also search the Social Security Death Index online (maintained by the Social Security Administration) to confirm the death date and location, then request from the correct state.
If the death occurred outside Florida, you will need to request from the state where the death was recorded. Each state has its own vital records office with different fees and processing times.
How Much It Costs and How Long It Takes
A certified copy of a death certificate costs $15 if you request by mail and $30 if you request online or by phone. Some counties charge slightly different fees if you request in person at their local office. You may order multiple copies at once — many people order 5 to 10 copies because banks, insurance companies, and government agencies often require originals.
Processing time depends on your method. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days after arrival. Online and phone requests take 1 to 2 business days. Expedited mail service is not available, but paying the higher online fee gets you the certificate much faster if you need it urgently.
The certificate arrives by regular mail. If you need it when ready, some funeral homes keep copies on file and can provide one the same day, though you may pay a small fee for that service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a death certificate in Florida?
Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days after the office receives your letter, plus mail delivery time — plan for 2 to 3 weeks total. Online and phone requests process in 1 to 2 business days and arrive by mail. If the death is very recent, the record may not be filed yet; funeral homes typically file within 3 to 5 business days.
Can I get a death certificate the same day?
The state office does not offer same-day service. However, some funeral homes keep copies and can provide one when ready for a small fee. If you need the certificate urgently, the online or phone method (1 to 2 business days) is faster than mail.
What if I need multiple copies?
You can order as many copies as you need in a single request. Most people order 5 to 10 because banks, insurance companies, and government agencies often require original certified copies. Ordering multiple copies at once is cheaper than ordering them separately later.
Do I need to show ID when I request a death certificate?
You do not need to show ID for mail, phone, or online requests. You will need to state your relationship to the deceased or your reason for needing the certificate. If you request in person at a county health department, bring a photo ID.
What if the person died a long time ago?
Florida keeps death records going back many decades. Older records are still in the system and can be requested the same way. If the person died before 1877, the record may not be in the vital statistics office; contact the county courthouse or a genealogy library instead.