Access Kissimmee Death Records

Kissimmee obituary and death records are managed by the Osceola County Department of Health, which serves as the vital records office for the county seat and all other communities in Osceola County. Kissimmee is the largest city in the county and sits just south of Orlando along the US-192 corridor. The Osceola County DOH office on Fortune Road in Kissimmee is convenient for local residents since it is right in town. Death certificates from 2009 forward are on file at the county level. Records from before 2009 require a request to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, where files date back to 1877.

Osceola County DOH in Kissimmee

Kissimmee has a real advantage when it comes to death records. The Osceola County DOH vital records office is right in the city, on Fortune Road near the main government complex. Unlike many Florida cities where you have to drive to another town to reach the county office, Kissimmee residents can get there in minutes. The office holds death records from 2009 to the present for all deaths that took place in Osceola County.

Bring a valid photo ID and know the full name and date of death. Staff look up the record and print a certified copy while you wait. The first copy costs $15, and each extra copy of the same record is $10. Call (407) 343-2000 to confirm hours and ask about payment methods before you visit. The office can get busy, so arriving early in the morning is a good idea for Kissimmee residents who want to avoid a long wait.

How to Get Kissimmee Death Records

Kissimmee residents can get death certificates in person, by mail, or online. The in-person option is especially convenient here because the county office is in Kissimmee itself. Mail and online options work well for people who are out of town or cannot visit during business hours.

For a mail request, download Form DH727 from the Florida DOH website. Fill it out and send it with a check or money order for $15 and a copy of your photo ID to the Osceola County DOH at 1875 Fortune Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34744. Mail requests take about two to three weeks. Since the office is in Kissimmee, most local residents just walk in instead of mailing a request.

VitalChek is the state-approved online service. Visit VitalChek or call 1-877-550-7330 to order. The fee is $15 for the first copy plus $7 processing. Credit and debit cards are accepted. Delivery takes five to seven business days. This is a good fallback for Kissimmee residents who cannot get to the Fortune Road office during the week.

The state bureau at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 has records going back to 1877. The fee is $5 for a search and one copy, $4 for extras. Rush service is $10 more. Kissimmee residents should contact the state bureau for deaths before 2009 or deaths outside Osceola County.

Kissimmee Obituary Search Resources

Death certificates and obituaries serve different purposes. A death certificate is an official government record with facts like date, place, and cause of death. An obituary is a family notice published in a newspaper. Both are useful when researching someone who lived or died in Kissimmee.

The Osceola Library System has the Hart Memorial Central Library at 211 E. Dakin Avenue in Kissimmee. This is the main branch and a strong starting point for obituary research. Staff can help you search newspaper archives. The Osceola News-Gazette and the Orlando Sentinel both cover Kissimmee, and past issues are available on microfilm and through digital databases. A library card gives you access to some databases from home.

The Florida Memory project from the State Archives has historical records online including old vital records, military service cards, and pension files. These can help trace older deaths in the Kissimmee area. The Florida Clerks of Court site links to the Osceola County Clerk for probate records. Probate files often reference death dates and can help you find the right death certificate for a Kissimmee resident.

Who Can Get Kissimmee Death Records

Florida has two types of death certificates. The public version leaves out the cause of death. Any person age 18 or older can get this type for any Kissimmee death. No family connection needed. No reason required.

The confidential version shows the cause of death and stays restricted for 50 years. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 382, only spouses, parents, children, and estate representatives can request this type. You must prove your relationship at the time of the request. A court order can also grant access when there is a valid legal reason to see the cause of death on a Kissimmee death record.

Under Florida Statutes Chapter 119, the state public records law keeps death records without cause of death open to the public. The Osceola County DOH must provide copies to any adult who pays the fee for Kissimmee death records. This is one of the broadest public records laws in the country.

Kissimmee Death Certificate Fees

Here is a quick fee guide for Kissimmee residents looking to get death certificates.

• Osceola County DOH first copy: $15
• Osceola 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 county DOH is the best option for same-day service in Kissimmee since the office is in town. The state bureau is cheapest for multiple copies. VitalChek costs more but lets you order online from home. Think about how fast you need the record and how many copies you want before you decide which option works best.

Legal Help in Kissimmee

Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida has an office in Kissimmee that serves Osceola County residents. They help with estate, probate, and other legal matters at no cost for those who qualify by income. Call (407) 847-0053 for more information. The Osceola County Bar Association also has a lawyer referral service for Kissimmee residents who need a private attorney.

The City of Kissimmee website at kissimmee.gov has links to community resources and local services. For crisis support, dial 211 to reach the Heart of Florida United Way helpline. It operates 24 hours a day and can point Kissimmee residents toward grief counseling, financial help, and other support services. The Osceola Council on Aging at (407) 846-8532 is another resource that helps seniors and their families in the Kissimmee area.

Osceola County Obituary Records

Kissimmee is the county seat of Osceola County, and all death records go through the county DOH office on Fortune Road. The county page has more on the Osceola DOH, fee information, and related resources that cover Kissimmee and every community in the county.

View Osceola County Obituary Records

Nearby Cities

These Florida cities near Kissimmee also have obituary and death record resources you might find useful.