Request your official Florida death certificate online quickly and securely. Whether for estate settlement or legal matters, you can complete your application in minutes. We handle the filing with the Florida vital records office, helping avoid common errors. Apply now and receive your certified copy by mail.
Order Florida Death Certificate
Trusted by +1.5 million customers
Order with confidence
Learn how to order a Florida Death Certificate from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. The current processing time is 3 to 5 business days for records from 2009 to present, with a $10 Rush Processing fee for priority handling. The state fee is $5 for the first certified copy, with additional copies costing $4 each. Authorized individuals who can order include the surviving spouse, certain family members, legal representatives, estate executors, and other parties with a documented interest.
You can conveniently order your Florida death certificate online now through VRO, in person, or by mail from the Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics (FL DOH-BVS) by following the instructions below for each ordering method. Before you begin the application process, be sure to review the costs, eligibility, requirements, and current processing times.
Order online now through VRO with a simple two-step process:
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
required documents
All applicants must provide proof of identity with a valid primary (government-issued) ID to request certified copies of a Florida death certificate. Review the table below for the list of required information and documents from the person on record or third-party requests, as stipulated by the FL DOH-BVS.
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
|---|---|
State ID US Military ID | Auto Insurance Health Insurance Card Matricula card School ID Tax Document or Mail with Current Address Vehicle title or registration Consular card Employment ID Foreign issued driver license Identification card |
If you do not have a valid primary ID, Florida will accept two (2) alternative forms of identification. Secondary forms of ID are only accepted if your primary ID is expired.
For those such as non-US citizens who do not possess aTo get a state of valid primary Florida death certificate without a valid primary ID, you must provide three alternative forms of identification, including: a foreign-issued driver’s license, an identification card, a consular card or matricula card and two additional forms of identification, such as: vehicle title or registration, health insurance card, employment ID, school ID, tax document or mail with the current address
Cost & fees
The total costs and fees to obtain a Florida death certificate depend on the ordering method. The base state fee is $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Rush processing adds a $10 fee. Online orders through authorized third-party providers include additional convenience and processing fees. Shipping costs may also apply depending on the delivery method selected.
If the exact date of death is unknown and no record is found within the initial search year, an additional $2 search fee per calendar year applies (maximum $50). All search fees are nonrefundable, except fees paid for additional copies when no record is found, which are refunded upon written request.
State Fee
$5.00
Rush Processing
$10.00
Additional Copy
1 x $4.00
Most families need 5 to 10 certified copies of a Florida death certificate to settle a loved one's affairs. Each institution — banks, insurance companies, courts, and government agencies — typically requires its own original certified copy. Submitting photocopies or scanned versions is almost never accepted.
Common situations that require a certified copy include: filing a life insurance claim, opening probate or settling an estate, closing or transferring bank accounts, claiming Social Security survivor benefits, transferring vehicle titles, updating property deeds, canceling pensions or retirement accounts, and notifying creditors. If the deceased held assets in multiple institutions, you may need a certified copy for each.
In Florida, the first certified copy costs $5 and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $4. Ordering multiple copies upfront is significantly cheaper and faster than requesting them individually later. We recommend ordering at least 5 copies to avoid delays during an already difficult time.
A certified Florida death certificate is a legal requirement for nearly every step of settling a deceased person's affairs. Without it, financial institutions, courts, and government agencies will not process your requests. Here are the most common reasons you need one:
Life insurance claims — Every insurance company requires a certified death certificate before releasing benefits. Most policies require an original, not a photocopy. If the deceased held multiple policies, you will need a separate copy for each insurer.
Probate and estate settlement — Florida probate courts require a certified death certificate to open an estate, appoint a personal representative, and distribute assets. This applies whether the deceased had a will or died intestate.
Social Security and pension benefits — The Social Security Administration requires notification of death and a certified copy to process survivor benefits or lump-sum death payments. Pension funds, 401(k) plans, and retirement accounts all require the same documentation.
Bank and financial accounts — Banks, credit unions, and brokerage firms require a certified death certificate to close accounts, transfer funds, or remove the deceased from joint accounts. Each institution typically needs its own copy.
Property and vehicle transfers — Transferring real estate deeds, vehicle titles, and other property into a beneficiary's name requires proof of death. Florida county clerks and the DHSMV both require a certified copy.
Name changes and legal proceedings — Surviving spouses in Florida who wish to revert to a maiden name can use a certified death certificate at the Social Security office and DMV. The certificate is also required for any legal proceedings involving the deceased's estate or debts.
Processing time
Processing and order times for Florida death certificates may vary. Please refer to the chart below for the current delivery and processing timelines. You can speed up the document generation and application packet process by choosing expedited options when ordering through VRO.
All orders, including RUSH orders through the FL DOH-BVS, are mailed by Standard US Postal delivery unless you include a prepaid envelope for expedited shipping with your application.
Processing Time |
|---|
3-5 business days |
Rush Processing Time |
|---|
2-3 business days |
Authorization
The person on record can request a certified copy of their death certificate for themselves or their family. If you request a death record on someone else's behalf, review the eligibility requirements, as deaths that occurred under 125 years ago are confidential and may only be issued to authorized individuals per Florida Statute Chapter 119 (Public Record Law).
The FL DOH-BVS lists individuals who can request a death certificate, as shown below.
If your relationship to the individual on record does not qualify you as an eligible individual, you can still request the record, but you must also submit an Affidavit to Release a Death Certificate, notarized and signed by the record-holder or an eligible individual.
The Florida Health Department does not require authorized applicants to prove their identity with a notarized application. However, some scenarios requiring a notary with your application may include:
Tracking
After you submit your death certificate application through VRO, you can track your order status through the support portal. While the FL DOH-BVS delivers death certificates by USPS first-class mail, they are not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.
If you mail your application manually to the FL DOH-BVS, purchase first-class mail tracking to confirm its arrival at their office.
State VR Office Tracking
All orders are mailed Standard US Postal delivery unless a special prepaid express delivery envelope is provided.
VRO Tracking
VRO provides First-Class Mail Tracking with every online order.
Rush Processing is available as an Add-On for same-day Verification and Dispatching of your Application.
Records
A Florida death certificate and a Florida death record are related but serve different purposes. A death certificate is an official certified document issued by the Florida Department of Health, used for legal matters such as estate settlement, insurance claims, and property transfers. A death record refers more broadly to the vital statistics entry in the state's database, which can be searched to verify that a death was recorded in Florida.
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics has maintained death records since 1877, although records prior to 1917 are limited. Death records without cause of death are considered public records in Florida and can be requested by anyone 18 or older. Records that include cause of death are confidential for 50 years and restricted to eligible parties such as the surviving spouse, children, siblings, estate administrators, or those with a demonstrated legal interest.
For genealogy or historical research, Florida death records older than 50 years are fully accessible as public records. The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds statewide records, while local county health departments hold records for deaths from 2009 to the present within their county. Older historical records may also be available through the Florida State Archives or county clerk offices. If you need to verify whether a death was recorded in Florida, a search can be conducted for a $5 fee per calendar year.
If you need an official certified copy of a Florida death certificate for legal purposes, you can order one online through VRO. We handle the filing with the Florida vital records office, helping you avoid common errors and delays.
Florida issues two types of death certificates, and understanding the difference is important before you order. A death certificate without cause of death is a public record — any person 18 years or older can request one without proving a relationship to the deceased. A death certificate with cause of death is a confidential record restricted for 50 years and only available to eligible parties such as a spouse, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, or legal representative.
The cause-of-death restriction exists under Florida Statute 382.008 to protect the privacy of the deceased and their family. The confidential version includes the full Social Security number and detailed medical information certified by the attending physician or medical examiner. After 50 years, the complete record — including cause of death — becomes a public record accessible to anyone.
For most legal and financial purposes — life insurance claims, probate, bank account closures — you will need the confidential version with cause of death. This means you must be an eligible party and provide valid photo identification with your application. If you are not eligible, you may designate an authorized representative through a notarized Affidavit.
The public version (without cause of death) is commonly used for genealogy research, verifying a date of death, or confirming someone's passing for non-legal purposes. It is important to note that newspaper death notices and obituaries are not official government records — they are paid announcements placed by the family or funeral home and carry no legal weight.
You can also request other Florida vital records through Vital Records Online:
You can also explore our related guides:
frequently asked questions
You can request a Florida death certificate from the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Requests can be made online, by mail, or in person. Mail requests require a completed application, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $5. Processing times vary but typically take 2 to 4 weeks for mail requests.
A certified copy of a Florida death certificate costs $5 through the Florida Department of Health. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $4 each. Florida has some of the lowest death certificate fees in the country. Online orders may include convenience fees.
Florida death certificates are restricted records. Eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, a parent, adult child, or sibling of the deceased, the executor or administrator of the estate, any person who provides a will, trust, or insurance policy showing their interest, a funeral director, and law enforcement or government agencies. Valid ID is required. An authorized party may designate a representative through a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA).
Yes. You can order a Florida death certificate online through the Department of Health or authorized third-party providers. You will need the full name of the deceased, date of death, and county where the death occurred. Online orders require a credit or debit card.
An officially certified death certificate from the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics (FL DOH-BVS) will have unique security features to ensure its authenticity. The appearance may vary depending on the year of issue, but it will contain essential details confirming the circumstances of the individual's death. Official death certificates from Florida typically feature the state seal, the state registrar's signature, and are printed on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements.
A Florida death certificate generally includes the following information:
Full Name of the Decedent: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
Date of Death: The exact date and time of death.
Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred, along with the specific facility or location.
Cause of Death: The immediate and underlying causes of death, as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner. Note: Cause of death is confidential for 50 years in Florida and only available to eligible requesters.
Demographic Information: The deceased's age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and occupation.
Disposition Details: Information about the method of disposition (burial, cremation, etc.), the date and place of disposition, and the funeral home or director responsible.
Informant Information: The name and relationship of the person providing personal details about the deceased.
Death certificates without cause of death information are considered public records. Certificates with cause of death are confidential for 50 years and are only issued to eligible parties with valid photo identification.
Processing times for a Florida death certificate depend on how you order and how old the record is. For mail-in requests to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, standard processing for death records from 2009 to present takes 3 to 5 business days, not including shipping time. Records prior to 2009 require additional processing time.
Rush processing is available for an additional $10 fee and is given priority handling. Mark the outside of your envelope "RUSH" when submitting by mail. Walk-in service at the Jacksonville office (1217 N Pearl St.) is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though records prior to 2009 require a $10 rush fee for same-day service when available.
Online orders through authorized providers and local county health departments (for deaths from 2009 to present) may offer different processing times. Processing times may increase during peak periods.
If there are errors on a Florida death certificate, you can request a correction or amendment from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Amendments to death records are typically initiated by the funeral director who filed the original certificate or by the attending physician or medical examiner who certified the cause of death.
To amend a Florida death certificate, you will generally need: a completed Application for Amendment to Florida Death or Fetal Death Certificate (Form DH 524), an Affidavit of Amendment to a Florida Certificate of Death (Form DH 433, must be notarized), and payment of the $20 nonrefundable processing fee (which includes one certified copy of the amended record). Additional copies cost $5 for the first and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
Medical amendments (changes to cause of death or medical certification) do not carry an amendment fee, though a $5 fee applies if you want a certified copy of the amended record. Amendments are generally completed within two to three weeks. Rush processing is available for an additional $10 fee.
Submit your amendment request to the Bureau of Vital Statistics at: Florida Department of Health, Vital Statistics, PO Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. For questions, contact the Amendment Unit at (904) 359-6900, extension 2808.
Apostilles are issued by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations. You need an apostille when filing a Florida death certificate with a foreign government as part of the 1961 Hague Convention. The apostille verifies the authenticity of the document for international use.
We offer comprehensive apostille services for death certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO's service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.
Important: The death certificate must be an original certified copy obtained from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville with the State Registrar's signature. Records obtained from local health departments are not accepted for apostille. Computer-generated photocopies are also not accepted.
If you are manually submitting a request, you will need: the certified copy of your death certificate with the current State Registrar's original signature, a completed Apostille or Notarial Certificate Request Form, a self-addressed stamped envelope or prepaid air bill, and payment of $10 per document as a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of State (do not send cash).
Submit your request to: Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, ATTN: Apostille Section, PO Box 6800, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6800. For walk-in or express delivery: 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303 (Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST). Allow at least 5 business days for processing.
In Florida, the funeral director is responsible for filing the original death certificate with the local county registrar within 5 days of death. The funeral home coordinates with the attending physician or medical examiner to certify the cause of death. However, the funeral home does not issue certified copies. Once the certificate is filed and registered with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, the family can order certified copies through the state, a local county health department (for deaths from 2009 to present), or through an authorized online provider like VRO. The funeral director can typically tell you when the certificate has been filed and is ready to order — this usually takes 1 to 2 weeks after the date of death.
Florida death certificates are partially public. A death certificate without cause of death is a public record — any person 18 years or older can request one without proving a relationship to the deceased. However, a death certificate with cause of death is a confidential record under Florida Statute 382.008 and is restricted for 50 years. Only eligible parties — including the surviving spouse, parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, legal representatives, or anyone who demonstrates legal interest — may obtain the confidential version. After 50 years, the complete record becomes fully public and accessible to anyone, including for genealogy research.
You can search Florida death records through several sources depending on the age of the record. For recent deaths, the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains records from 1877 to present, though records prior to 1917 may be incomplete. For genealogy and historical research, Florida death records older than 50 years are freely available through the Florida State Archives, FamilySearch.org, and Ancestry.com. These databases allow you to search by name, date, and county. For certified copies of recent death records needed for legal or financial purposes, you can order online through the Florida Department of Health or through an authorized provider like VRO. You will need the deceased's full name, approximate date of death, and county where the death occurred.