How to Find Florida Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Florida Deaths

Statewide registration of deaths began in 1899 in Florida; however, general compliance did not begin until 1917. Counties have copies of these records.

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record: Deaths before 1877 Deaths from 1877 thru 1917 Deaths after 1917

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1877

Before 1877, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Records that give death information:
Cemetery Records Newspapers Probate (wills, etc) Tax Records	Church Records Census Bible Records

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1877 thru 1917

Some counties in Florida began to keep death records in 1877. Statewide registration started in 1899 but not every death was recorded. General compliance throughout the state began in 1917.

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for death information in other records.

For death that exist during this time period, try the following databases.

Florida Death Databases - Includes Indexes Only
Try 1st:
	1877-1998 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index of deaths from the Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.
Try 2nd:
	1877-1939 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index of Florida death records created by Florida Department of Health and Vital Statistics. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the Family History Library and at Family History Centers
Try 3rd:
	1900-1921 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index to death and burial records from the state of Florida. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and Family History Centers.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

Deaths after 1917

The state of Florida began recording deaths in 1917.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

Florida Death Databases - Includes Indexes Only
Try 1st:
	1877-1998 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index of deaths from the Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.
Try 2nd:
	1877-1939 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index of Florida death records created by Florida Department of Health and Vital Statistics. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the Family History Library and at Family History Centers
Try 3rd:
	1900-1921 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index to death and burial records from the state of Florida. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and Family History Centers.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

To get an image of the certificate, you can either order the corresponding Family History Library film IF the indexed information included a film number OR you can order a copy of the death certificate for a fee from the following locations:

• Florida Department of Health
• VitalChek

Death records are also maintained at the county level. County copies may be obtained at the Register of Deeds office in the county where the event occurred.

If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Restrictions for persons who died within the last 50 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate with information on the cause of death for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:

• The decedent's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling

Documentation that demonstrates his or her interest in the estate of the decedent;

• Any person who provides documentation that he or she is acting on behalf of any of the previously mentioned persons.

NOTE: A copy of the certificate with information about the cause of death cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.

If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search.

Return to top: Choose another death year

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