Florida Death Records
Florida death records are documents that show when someone passed away. They are official proof of death and have lots of useful information.
Types of information in Florida death records
Common information includes:
These records are significant for genealogy, legal needs, and history studies.
How to Conduct a Florida Death Records Search
Key Steps to Conduct a Florida Death Records Search:
1. Determine the Time Period
- Deaths from 1877-1998: Use the Florida Death Index available on FamilySearch.org or Ancestry.com (free at FamilySearch centers). This index provides basic information such as name, date, and county of death.
- Deaths after 1998: Request records directly from the Florida Department of Health.
2. Search Online Databases
- FamilySearch.org: Free searchable index for Florida deaths from 1877-1939.
- Ancestry.com: Florida Death Index for 1877-1998 (requires subscription).
- Social Security Death Index: Useful for deaths after 1962.
3. Request Official Death Certificates
- Within the last 50 years: Only eligible family members can request a full death certificate with the cause of death.
- Over 50 years old: Anyone can request a death certificate without the cause of death.
- Submit requests to the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics:
- Online via VitalChek
- By mail using their application form
- In person at their Jacksonville office
4. Check County Records
- Some counties maintain their own death records, especially for more recent deaths. Contact the county health department or clerk of court.
5. Try Substitute Records
- Obituaries in local newspapers
- Cemetery and funeral home records
- Church records
- Probate records
6. Visit the Florida State Archives
- They hold microfilm copies of many early death records and indexes.
Note: Full Florida death records less than 50 years old have access restrictions to protect privacy. Older records and basic index information are more accessible to the public.
Online Resources for Florida Death Records
Finding death records in Florida is now easier online. You can search for a death certificate or find info on a deceased person from home. Here are some great online platforms to help you.
Florida Department of Health Website
The Florida Department of Health website is the best place for official death records. It has a simple interface for searching and requesting death certificates. You can find records from 1917 to today.
The site also explains how to get a death certificate, including costs and wait times.
FamilySearch.org Database
FamilySearch.org is free for genealogy research. It has the Florida Death Records Index from 1877 to 1939. This database includes images of death certificates, which is very helpful for history research.
Ancestry.com and Other Genealogy Websites
Ancestry.com has a lot of Florida death records. Their Florida Death Index goes from 1877 to 1998. But, records before 1917 might be missing.
Other valuable collections include the Jacksonville Area Obituary Collection (1851-2009) and Florida Funeral Home Records (1887-1971). These sites need a paid subscription but offer more databases and tools.
Obtaining Physical Copies of Death Certificates
The Florida Department of Health handles vital records, including death certificates.
To get a death certificate, you have a few options:
- Visit the Florida Department of Health office
- Order online through VitalChek
- Contact the Register of Deeds in the county where the death occurred
There are rules regarding who can see the cause of death for deaths in the last 50 years. These rules protect privacy and keep information confidential.
When you order, you’ll need some basic info:
Legal Restrictions
Who Can Request Death Certificates
In Florida, death certificates are only available to a specific group of individuals. Those eligible to request one include:
This restriction assures that only close relatives can access this sensitive document.
Privacy Laws and Confidentiality
Florida’s privacy laws are vital in protecting death records. The state keeps some parts of death certificates private for 50 years. This helps prevent identity theft and keeps the deceased’s privacy.
After 50 years, death records become public. Anyone can then access them. Always remember to respect privacy laws and use the info wisely when searching.
Alternative Sources for Death Information in Florida
There are more places to check besides official state records. Newspaper obituaries, cemetery records, and church archives are excellent sources.
The Social Security Death Index is good for deaths after 1935. Local historical societies and genealogical groups in Florida also have death info. As mentioned, Ancestry.com has an index of Florida death records from 1877 to 1998. It includes the person’s name, age, birth year, and death date.
For recent deaths, Florida death records are only available for 50 years. If you’re within this time, you might need to look elsewhere.
History of Death Records in Florida
Florida has started keeping death records in the late 19th century.
Death records in Florida date back to 1877, but statewide death registration officially began in 1899. More comprehensive and consistent records became available starting in 1917. Unfortunately, many records from 1877 to 1916 are incomplete and vary in consistency across the state.