Search Fort Myers Death Records

Fort Myers obituary and death records are handled by the Lee County Department of Health, which operates the vital records office at Pondella Road in North Fort Myers. As the county seat of Lee County, Fort Myers is the center of government services for the area, though the DOH office itself sits just across the Caloosahatchee River in North Fort Myers. Death certificates from 2009 to the present are on file at the county level, and the office processes walk-in requests, mail orders, and phone inquiries for Fort Myers residents and anyone searching for records of a death that took place in Lee County.

Lee County DOH Office for Fort Myers

The Lee County Department of Health vital records office handles all death certificate requests for Fort Myers and the rest of Lee County. The office is in North Fort Myers, just a short drive over the river from downtown Fort Myers. It holds death records from 2009 forward. Deaths before that year require a request to the state bureau in Jacksonville. The Lee County DOH accepts walk-in visitors and usually processes same-day requests if you get there early enough in the morning.

Bring a valid photo ID when you go. You fill out a request form at the counter, and staff will search for the death record. The first certified copy costs $14 in Lee County. Each added copy of the same record is $10. The office takes cash, credit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. This makes Lee County one of the more flexible offices in Florida when it comes to payment options for Fort Myers death records.

How to Get Fort Myers Death Records

Fort Myers residents have several ways to get death certificates. In-person visits to the Lee County DOH are the quickest. You can also send a mail request or order through VitalChek online. Each method has its own timeline and cost. Pick the one that fits your situation best.

For mail requests, print Form DH727 from the Florida DOH site. Fill it out and send it to the Lee County DOH at 83 Pondella Rd, North Fort Myers, FL 33903. Include a check or money order for $14 and a copy of your photo ID. Mail requests from Fort Myers take about two to three weeks. The office mails the certified copy back to the address you provide on the form.

VitalChek works well for Fort Myers residents who can not visit the office. Order at VitalChek or call 1-877-550-7330. The base fee is $15 plus a $7 processing charge. They accept credit and debit cards. Expect delivery in five to seven business days. This is a good option when you need a death record but live far from the North Fort Myers office.

The state bureau at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 has death records back to 1877. Their fee is $5 for a search and one copy with $4 for extras. Fort Myers residents can mail requests to the state office for deaths that took place before 2009 or outside Lee County.

Fort Myers Obituary Search Tips

Obituaries are different from death certificates. A death certificate is an official government record. An obituary is a family notice that appears in a newspaper. Both can be useful when researching a death in Fort Myers. Together they give you a fuller picture.

The Lee County Library System has branches in Fort Myers that can help with obituary searches. The Fort Myers Regional Library at 2450 First Street has newspaper archives covering the Fort Myers News-Press and other local papers. Staff can help you search for specific dates and names. Some digital newspaper databases are free to use with a library card, which makes it easier to find Fort Myers obituary notices from home.

The Florida Memory project has historical records that may help with older death research. The Florida Clerks of Court website links to the Lee County Clerk, where probate records are kept. Probate files often mention the date and place of death and can point you toward the right death certificate for a Fort Myers resident.

Who Can Get Death Records in Fort Myers

Florida has two types of death certificates. The public version does not show the cause of death. Any adult can get this type. You do not need to prove a relationship or give a reason to the Lee County DOH. This version works for most needs in Fort Myers.

The confidential version includes the cause of death and stays restricted for 50 years. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 382, only certain people can request it. Spouses, parents, children, and legal representatives of the estate qualify. You must show proof of your relationship when you ask for this type in Fort Myers. A court order can also open access.

Under Florida Statutes Chapter 119, the public records law makes death certificates without cause of death available to everyone. The Lee County DOH must provide copies to any adult who pays the fee. This rule covers all Fort Myers death records in the public category.

Fort Myers Death Certificate Fees

Lee County charges slightly less than the state average for death certificates. Here is a breakdown of fees for Fort Myers residents.

• Lee County DOH first copy: $14
• Lee County DOH added copies: $10 each
• State bureau search and one copy: $5
• State bureau added copies: $4 each
• State bureau rush processing: $10
• VitalChek first copy: $15 plus $7 processing

The state bureau is cheapest if you need several copies. For a single copy and fast turnaround, the Lee County DOH is the best bet for Fort Myers residents since you can walk out with it the same day. The office in North Fort Myers also takes credit cards and mobile pay, which is helpful if you do not carry cash.

Legal Help in Fort Myers

Florida Rural Legal Services has an office in Fort Myers at 963 East Midway Boulevard. They help low-income residents with legal matters including estate and probate issues that arise after a death. Call (239) 334-4554 to ask about their services. Lee County Legal Aid also serves Fort Myers residents who need guidance on accessing death records or handling estate paperwork.

The Lee County Bar Association can refer you to local attorneys who handle estate and probate matters in Fort Myers. The city website at cityftmyers.com has links to community services. For crisis support, dial 211 to reach the United Way helpline for Lee County any time of day or night. This line can connect Fort Myers residents with grief counseling, financial aid, and other services.

Lee County Obituary Records

Fort Myers is the county seat of Lee County, and all death records are filed through the Lee County DOH. The county page has more about the DOH office, full fee details, and related resources that cover Fort Myers and every other city in the county.

View Lee County Obituary Records

Nearby Cities

These Florida cities near Fort Myers also have obituary and death record resources you may find helpful.