Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics
Florida · Vital Records
floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/death-certificatesState Vital Records in Florida
The Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Florida. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Steps to take when someone dies
- •Online: Order through VitalChek - the only contracted vendor (adds $7 processing fee)
- •By phone: Call VitalChek at 1-877-550-7330 (1-615-372-6800 from outside the U.S.)
- •By mail: Mail the DH727 application to the Bureau of Vital Statistics with a check or money order payable to Vital Statistics
- •In person: Walk in at the Bureau of Vital Statistics lobby in Jacksonville; records before 2009 require the $10 rush fee for same-day service, when available
- •In person: Mail-in or walk-in at a local county health department, for deaths from 2009 to present only
- •Valid photo ID
- •Will, insurance policy, or other document showing interest in estate (for copies with cause of death)
- •Notarized Affidavit to Release Cause of Death Information (DH Form 1959), with photo ID of both signer and applicant, when the applicant is not an eligible person
State Vital Records in Florida: key facts
What Florida says9
- Administering office
Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics.1
- Office location and hours
1217 N Pearl St., Jacksonville, FL 32202. Lobby hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m..1
- Mail orders
Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042.1
- Certificate fee
$5 for the first certified copy; $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; expedited processing adds $10.1
- Processing time
3-5 business days (2009-present), plus shipping.1
- Who may order
Any person 18+ may request copy without cause of death; For copies with cause of death: spouse, parent, child, grandchild, sibling 18+, or person with demonstrated legal interest; A person acting on behalf of an eligible person (documentation required), or by court order.1
- Filing deadline
The death certificate must be filed within 5 days.2
- Public record
Death records become public 50 years after the death.1
- Records available from
1917. Limited deaths were recorded between 1877 and 1917..1
Governing law: F.S. § 382.006
Sources2
- 1.Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics
- 2.Florida death-certificate filing rule (F.S. § 382.006; F.S. § 382.007; F.S. § 382.008; F.S. § 497.152(8)(d); F.S. § 497.260(1)(g); F.S. § 497.274(1); F.S. § 497.386(2); F.S. § 704.08; Fla. Admin. Code R. 64V-1.011; Fla. Admin. Code R. 69K-33.001(2)(a))
Florida vital records offices
Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics
Phone
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Tools for Settling an Estate in Florida
Free tools for settling an estate in Florida: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
In Florida, certified death certificates come from the Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital StatisticsFlorida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $5Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, additional copies $4Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source each.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Florida: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysFla. Prob. R. 5.340; Fla. Stat. § 733.604Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsFla. Stat. §§ 733.2121, 733.702 (later of 3 months from first publication or 30 days from service on a served creditor), 733.703, 733.705, 733.707, 733.710Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
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