Plantation Death Record Access

Obituary and death certificate records for the City of Plantation are processed through the Broward County Department of Health office in Fort Lauderdale. Plantation has a population just over 100,000 and sits in central Broward County, making it one of several large Broward cities that all share the same county DOH office for vital records. The Broward County DOH maintains death records from 2009 to the present. Records from before 2009 are available through the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, which keeps Florida death certificates back to 1877.

Plantation Death Certificate Office

Plantation does not have its own vital records office. Like Pompano Beach, Davie, and every other city in Broward County, Plantation residents must get death certificates from the Broward County DOH in Fort Lauderdale. The drive from Plantation to the Fort Lauderdale office is about 15 to 20 minutes east on I-595, which makes it a reasonable trip for in-person visits.

The Broward County DOH office closes early at 3:00 PM on the third Thursday of each month. The Paul Hughes location offers Wednesday evening hours until 6:00 PM. These alternative hours can help Plantation residents who work standard daytime shifts and need to visit the office in person.

Broward County is the second most populous county in Florida. The DOH office handles requests from Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, Davie, Plantation, and dozens of other cities. The sheer volume means wait times can vary. Plantation residents who visit mid-week and arrive early tend to have a better experience. Call ahead to check on current wait conditions if you can.

The Florida DOH death certificates page applies to all Plantation and Broward County records requests.

How to Get Plantation Death Records

Plantation residents can order death certificates three ways. The process is the same for all Broward County residents, but the specifics here focus on what Plantation residents need to know.

For in-person visits, go to 2421-A SW 6th Ave in Fort Lauderdale. From Plantation, take I-595 east to I-95 south and exit at SW 6th Avenue. Bring a valid photo ID and a completed DH727 form. Provide the deceased person's full name, date of death, date of birth, county or city of death, and Social Security number if available. The staff will search for the Plantation death record and process your order. Standard processing takes 3 to 5 business days for records from 2009 forward.

Mail orders go to the Fort Lauderdale address. Include a completed DH727 application, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. A self-addressed stamped envelope speeds up return delivery. Mail requests from the Broward County office generally take 2 to 3 weeks, though the large volume of requests can sometimes cause delays.

Online orders use VitalChek. The cost is $15 for the first copy plus $7 processing. Extra copies are $4 each. Credit or debit card payment. Standard delivery in 5 to 7 business days. For Plantation residents who prefer convenience over cost savings, VitalChek is the simplest choice. The price is higher than the $5 in-person fee, but it saves a trip to Fort Lauderdale.

Plantation Death Certificate Types

Florida has two death certificate types. The same rules apply to all Plantation death records.

The public version does not show cause of death. Any person 18 or older can request it. It includes the name, dates, and place of death. The first five SSN digits are redacted. Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, cause of death and SSN are treated as confidential on death certificates. This public version works for genealogy, proof of death, and non-medical purposes.

The confidential version shows cause of death and stays sealed for 50 years. Eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, parents, adult children or grandchildren, adult siblings, or anyone with an estate or insurance interest. You prove eligibility with DH Form 1959. A court order can also authorize release. Plantation families who need the full death certificate for legal or insurance reasons must meet these eligibility requirements.

Plantation Obituary Fees

The Broward County DOH charges $5 for a search and one certified copy of a Plantation death certificate. Extra copies at the same time cost $4 each. Cash, check, or money order for in-person payments at the Fort Lauderdale office.

VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus $7 processing. Additional copies through VitalChek are $4 each. A single Plantation death certificate online totals about $22 before shipping. Rush delivery costs more. The $5 in-person rate at the Broward DOH makes visiting the office a much cheaper option for Plantation residents who can spare the time.

Records before 2009 go through the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. The state charges $5 per search, $2 per year if the death date is unknown (up to $50), and may add $10 for rush service plus $1 shipping. Always confirm current fees before ordering any Plantation obituary record from the state bureau.

Plantation Historical Records

The Broward County DOH has death records from 2009 to the present. For Plantation deaths before 2009, contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone: (904) 359-6900. Email: VitalStats@FLHealth.gov. State records go back to 1877.

Under Chapter 382 of the Florida Statutes, death certificates must be filed within five days. Section 382.008 sets the timeline. Section 382.016 authorizes local registrars to issue certified copies. These statutes govern every death recorded in Plantation.

The Florida Memory Project has free digitized historical records for genealogy work. The Broward County Library System offers genealogy collections. The Florida Clerks of Court site links to probate records that may have death-related details. Plantation was incorporated in 1953, so death records before that date would be filed under unincorporated Broward County.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel publishes Plantation-area obituaries. Local funeral homes maintain their own records and post obituaries online. Plantation is covered by online obituary databases due to its location in the South Florida metro area. For older records, church records and cemetery records in central Broward County can sometimes help fill gaps.

Plantation Records Tips

Plantation shares the Broward County DOH with a dozen other cities that have populations over 100,000. That shared demand makes the Fort Lauderdale office one of the busiest in the state. If you have a firm deadline, consider VitalChek or visiting the office early in the morning. The Wednesday evening hours at the Paul Hughes location can also help Plantation residents who cannot visit during normal business hours.

Providing false information on any vital records application is a third-degree felony under Florida law. Always bring a valid photo ID and provide accurate details. The Broward County DOH is well-equipped to handle the high volume and to identify problems in applications. These rules and penalties apply whether you live in Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, or any other Florida city.

Plantation County Records

All Plantation death records are handled through Broward County. Visit the county page for full details on the DOH office, fees, and services.

Nearby Cities

These Florida cities near Plantation also have obituary record pages with local death certificate details.