Jacksonville Death Records

Jacksonville obituary and death records are held by the Duval County Department of Health, which serves this consolidated city-county of more than one million people. Death certificates filed in Duval County from 2009 to the present are on hand at the local DOH vital records office, while the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics state office is also based right in Jacksonville at 1217 N Pearl Street. Residents here have a rare advantage since both the county and state offices sit in the same city, making it faster to get death records in person. The Duval County DOH office on University Boulevard handles walk-in requests during normal business hours, and the state bureau does too.

Duval County DOH Office

The Duval County Department of Health vital records office is where Jacksonville residents go to get death certificates for deaths that took place in the county. This is the main local office. It holds death records from 2009 forward. For deaths before 2009, you need to contact the state bureau instead. The office takes walk-in visits and processes most requests the same day if you arrive early enough.

Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. You must fill out a request form at the counter. The staff will look up the death record and print a certified copy if it is on file. The first certified copy costs $15. Each extra copy of the same record is $10. Cash, check, and money order are the usual forms of payment at the Duval County DOH. You can also call ahead to ask about credit card options for Jacksonville death records.

State Bureau in Jacksonville

Jacksonville has a unique benefit. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics main office sits at 1217 N Pearl Street in the city. This is the state-level office that holds death records going all the way back to 1877. If the death took place before 2009, or if it happened in a different county, this office can help. Walk-in service is open to the public, and you can get copies the same day in many cases.

The state bureau charges $5 for a search plus one copy. Each added copy is $4. Rush processing costs $10 more. There is a $1 fee for shipping if you want the record sent by mail. These state fees are lower than what most county offices charge. For Jacksonville residents, it is worth going to the Pearl Street office when you need older death records or records from other parts of Florida.

The Florida DOH death certificates page has forms you can print and mail in. Form DH727 is the main request form for death certificates. You can also use Form DH727S for a short form request. Both are free to download and fill out at home before you visit the Jacksonville office.

How to Get Jacksonville Death Records

There are a few ways to get death records in Jacksonville. You can visit either the county or state office in person. You can send a request by mail. You can also use the online service through VitalChek. Each method has different costs and wait times. In-person visits at the Duval County DOH are the fastest option for recent Jacksonville death records.

For mail requests, send a completed DH727 form to the Duval County DOH at the University Boulevard address. Include a check or money order for $15 made out to the Florida Department of Health. Add your return address and a copy of your photo ID. Mail requests take about two to three weeks to process for Jacksonville death records. The state bureau on Pearl Street also takes mail-in requests at a lower fee.

VitalChek is the approved online vendor for Florida death certificates. You can order from VitalChek or call 1-877-550-7330. The base fee is $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing charge. Credit and debit cards are accepted. Orders ship in about five to seven business days. This is good for people who can not visit a Jacksonville office in person.

Jacksonville Obituary Search Tips

Obituaries and death records are not the same thing, but they often work together. A death certificate is the official government record. An obituary is a notice put in a newspaper by the family. When you search for Jacksonville obituary records, you may need both kinds of documents for a complete picture.

The Florida Memory project from the State Archives has historical records that can help trace older deaths in Jacksonville. The State Archives building is at 500 S Bronough Street in Tallahassee, but much of the collection is online. You can search for old vital records, military service cards, and pension files that may mention deaths of Jacksonville residents from past decades.

Public libraries in Jacksonville keep newspaper archives that include obituary notices. The Jacksonville Public Library main branch has microfilm of the Florida Times-Union and other local papers. These can fill gaps when a death certificate alone does not give you the full story. Library staff can help you search for specific dates and names in their Jacksonville obituary collection.

Who Can Get Death Records

Florida law controls who can get death certificates. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 382, a death certificate without cause of death is a public record. Any person age 18 or older can ask for one. You do not need to be a family member. This type is fine for most uses in Jacksonville, like settling an estate or proving a death happened.

A death certificate that shows the cause of death is different. This version stays confidential for 50 years after the date of death. Only certain people can get it. Spouses, parents, children, and legal representatives of the estate qualify. You must show proof of your relationship when you request this type in Jacksonville. A court order can also unlock a confidential death record if you have a valid legal reason.

Under Florida Statutes Chapter 119, the state has a broad public records law. Death records without cause of death fall under this law. It means the Duval County DOH must provide copies to anyone who asks and pays the fee. You do not have to explain why you want a Jacksonville death record as long as you are requesting the public version.

Jacksonville Death Record Fees

Fees for death certificates in Jacksonville depend on where you order. The Duval County DOH charges $15 for the first certified copy and $10 for each added copy of the same record. The state bureau on Pearl Street charges less at $5 for a search and one copy, with $4 for extras. VitalChek adds its own processing fee on top of the state rate.

Here is a quick look at the fees for Jacksonville death records:

• Duval County DOH first copy: $15
• Duval County DOH added copies: $10 each
• State bureau search and one copy: $5
• State bureau added copies: $4 each
• Rush processing at state bureau: $10
• VitalChek first copy: $15 plus $7 processing

If you need many copies of the same death record, the state bureau is the cheapest route. For a single copy and fast service, the Duval County DOH is the better pick since you can walk in and leave with it the same day. Either way, Jacksonville residents have more options than people in most Florida cities because both offices are local.

Duval County Obituary Records

Jacksonville and Duval County are one and the same thanks to the consolidated city-county government. All death records filed in Duval County cover Jacksonville proper and the surrounding areas within county lines. The county page has more details on the DOH office, nearby resources, and related vital records services.

View Duval County Obituary Records

Nearby Cities

These Florida cities also have obituary and death record resources you may find useful if you are searching for records in the region around Jacksonville.