How do I get a copy of a death certificate?

Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics (state level - Jacksonville) / County Health Department Vital Statistics offices (county level)

Step by Step

How to do it

Determine what type of certificate you need:
WITHOUT cause of death: available to any person 18 or older
WITH cause of death: confidential for 50 years - restricted to decedent's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling (18+); or person with documented legal/financial interest
Choose your method:
IN PERSON AT COUNTY HEALTH DEPT: Visit your county's FDOH vital statistics office - some issue records from 2009-present; same-day service; check county office for hours
IN PERSON AT STATE OFFICE: Bureau of Vital Statistics walk-in, 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202; Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; same-day for 2009-present records
BY MAIL: Complete death certificate application; include copy of photo ID, proof of relationship/interest, and payment; mail to Jacksonville office
ONLINE/PHONE (expedited): VitalChek only - vitalchek.com or (877) 550-7330; additional fees apply
Submit application with valid photo ID
Pay the fee and receive certificate

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Completed death certificate application
Copy of valid government-issued photo ID
Proof of relationship or legal interest (if requesting with cause of death)
Payment (check or money order for mail - no cash; credit cards NOT accepted by mail; card in person or via VitalChek)

Fee

$10 first certified copy (effective January 6, 2025); $8 each additional copy of same record ordered at same time; $5 non-refundable search fee included in all orders; VitalChek adds processing fee

Processing Time

In person (2009-present): same day; by mail: varies; VitalChek: faster with additional fee

Online Option

Yes - VitalChek ONLY; vitalchek.com or (877) 550-7330

Where to Go

County Health Department Vital Statistics (in person - faster); Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 (walk-in or mail); VitalChek online

County-specific variations apply

Florida's county health department offices typically issue death records only for deaths occurring in their county and from 2009 to present. For older records or deaths in other counties, use the Jacksonville state office or VitalChek. Orange County FDOH (Orlando) offers same-day in-person service at 832 W. Central Blvd. Verify your county office's record coverage before visiting.

Florida Notes

Important state-specific details

Fee REDUCED to $10 effective January 6, 2025 (previously $12) - good news for Florida residents.
CAUSE OF DEATH is confidential for 50 years from the date of death - restricted to immediate family and those with legal/financial interest; anyone 18+ can obtain the certificate WITHOUT cause of death.
Order multiple copies at once - $8 each additional; most families need 6-10 copies.
Funeral homes typically assist with initial filing - contact them first for very recent deaths.
Credit cards NOT accepted for mail orders - check or money order only.
$5 search fee is NON-REFUNDABLE even if no record found.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Bureau of Vital Statistics walk-in, 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202; Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; same-day for 2009-present records BY MAIL: Complete death certificate application; include copy of photo ID, proof of relationship/interest, and payment; mail to Jacksonville office ONLINE/PHONE (expedited): VitalChek only - vitalchek.com or (877) 550-7330; additional fees apply Step 3 - Submit application with valid photo ID Step 4 - Pay the fee and receive certificate