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? [edit | edit source]

Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1877[edit | edit source]

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
[edit | edit source]

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:
	1877-1939 - 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[edit | edit source]

The state of Florida began recording deaths in 1917.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information[edit | edit source]

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:
	1877-1939 - 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[edit | edit source]

If the image was not included in the index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

To Order Death Certificates
From County of Death		From FL Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

If you do not know the exact date or place of death:
For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search (click on the death certificates tab).

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

The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
Funeral director
Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate

NOTE: A copy of the death record 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.