Death Certificates

Death Certificates

What is a Death Certificate?

A death certificate is a document that declares the time of death, location of death, and some of an individual’s other personal information, as well as (if requested by an authorized applicant) the cause of death. Death certificates are issued by the state government and may be necessary for insurance purposes, pension, estate settlements, and other legal matters. Any applicant of legal age (18 years or older) may apply to receive an individual’s death certificate without a listed cause of death, but only approved applicants (i.e. immediate family or authorities) may request a death certificate with a listed cause of death.

How Do I Request a Copy of a Death Certificate?

In the state of Florida, applicants seeking to request a copy of a death certificate need only go to the Florida Department of Health’s website and follow the link to download an application. The application includes all the necessary information you need to provide in order to request a death certificate. In the state of Florida, requesting a death certificate costs $5, with each additional copy at $10. Rush orders can be made at a fee of $10. Requests can be made by mail and paid with a check or money order or with a credit/debit card using the Department of Health’s third-party vendor VitalChek.