In Florida, certified death certificates are issued by Bureau of Vital Statistics, Florida Department of Health. The state fee is $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy.
Here is who can order a certified copy, how to order it, and how long it takes, taken from the office’s own pages. Fees and times change, so check the office’s page before you pay.
How much a death certificate costs in Florida
| Item | State fee |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $5 |
| Each additional copy | $4 |
Mail or walk-in: $5 search fee includes one certified copy; $4 each additional copy; $2 per extra year searched if the year is unknown (max $50); optional $10 rush fee (required for same-day walk-in on pre-2009 records); $1 shipping and handling. VitalChek orders: $15 state fee (includes the $10 rush) plus a $7 VitalChek fee. County health department fees vary.
Who can order a certified copy
Without cause of death: any person 18 or older. With cause of death (records under 50 years old): spouse or parent; adult child, grandchild or sibling; anyone with a will, insurance policy or other document showing an interest in the estate; or anyone acting on behalf of these people.
A non-certified informational copy is also available. It cannot be used for legal or financial purposes such as closing accounts or claiming benefits.
How to order
- Online (official vendor: VitalChek)
- In person
- County/local office
County health departments issue certificates by mail or walk-in, for deaths from 2009 to present only.
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How long it takes
FL DOH: "Normal processing time for death certificates from 2009 to present is 3-5 business days not including shipping time. Records prior to 2009 require additional processing time.".
The funeral home’s role
Funeral directors and attorneys may request copies by giving the name of the person they represent, that person's relationship, and their license number.
Cause of death is confidential for 50 years. The public version has the first five digits of the SSN removed. Limited records 1877-1917.
How many copies to order
Most banks, insurers, pension plans and government agencies each want their own certified copy. Count the accounts and policies before you order, because ordering more later means another application and fee. How many death certificates you need has a worksheet.
Who decides the funeral in Florida
State law sets who has the right to make funeral arrangements. See who has the right to make funeral decisions in Florida.
Related guides
- What to do when someone dies: the first 24 hours
- Who to call when someone dies, and in what order
- How much a funeral costs, line by line
- Help paying for a funeral: Social Security, VA and FEMA
- Official funeral resources for every state
Sources
- Bureau of Vital Statistics, Florida Department of Health
- CDC: Where to Write for Vital Records (Florida)
Checked 2026-09-24. General information, not legal advice.