Sunrise Obituary Records

Sunrise obituary and death records are managed by the Broward County Department of Health, which serves all cities and towns in the county. This west Broward suburb sits just north of Plantation and west of Fort Lauderdale, and its 100,000-plus residents rely on the same vital records office used by the rest of the county. The Broward County DOH vital records office on SW 6th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale handles walk-in requests, mail orders, and phone questions for Sunrise death certificates. Records from 2009 forward are on file at the county level, while older death records go through the state bureau in Jacksonville.

Broward County DOH for Sunrise

Sunrise does not have its own vital records office. All death certificate requests for Sunrise go through the Broward County Department of Health office in Fort Lauderdale. This is the only county-level office that handles death records for every city in Broward County, including Sunrise. The drive from central Sunrise to the Fort Lauderdale office is about 20 minutes depending on traffic along I-595 or Sunrise Boulevard.

When you visit, bring a valid photo ID and know the full name and date of death of the person whose record you need. Staff will look up the death record and print a certified copy if it is on file. The first copy costs $15, and each extra copy is $10. The office takes cash and money orders. Call ahead at (954) 467-4455 to check on other payment methods before you make the trip from Sunrise.

How to Get Sunrise Death Records

There are three main ways to get death records for someone who lived in or died in Sunrise. You can visit the Broward County DOH in person, send a mail request, or order online through VitalChek. Each path has its own cost and time frame. In-person visits are the fastest option for Sunrise residents who need a death certificate the same day.

For a mail request, download Form DH727 from the Florida DOH website. Fill it out, include a copy of your photo ID, and mail it with a check or money order for $15 to the Broward County DOH at 2421-A SW 6th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. Mail requests from Sunrise usually take two to three weeks to process. The return envelope should have your full address so the office can send the death record back to you.

VitalChek is the state-approved online vendor. Go to VitalChek or call 1-877-550-7330 to order. The fee is $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing charge. Orders ship in about five to seven business days. This is a solid option for Sunrise residents who can not get to the Fort Lauderdale office during work hours.

The state bureau in Jacksonville is another option. It has death records going back to 1877. The fee there is only $5 for a search and one copy, with $4 for each extra. Rush service costs $10 more. Sunrise residents can mail a request to 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 or visit in person if they happen to be in that part of the state.

Sunrise Obituary Search Resources

Obituaries and death certificates serve different roles. A death certificate is the official state record. An obituary is a notice placed by the family, usually in a local paper. When you are looking for Sunrise obituary records, you may want both types of documents to get the full picture of a person's passing.

The Broward County Library system has branches in Sunrise. The Sunrise Dan Pearl Library at 10500 W Oakland Park Blvd is one option. Library staff can help you search newspaper archives that may have obituary notices for Sunrise residents. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel is the main paper that covers Sunrise, and past issues are often on microfilm or in digital databases at the library. Some of these databases are free to use with a library card.

The Florida Memory project from the State Archives has historical records online. It covers old vital records, military service cards, and pension files. These can help trace deaths of Sunrise residents from past decades. The Florida Clerks of Court site also links to probate records, which often tie into death and obituary research for Sunrise families.

Who Can Get Death Certificates

Florida law sets rules on who can get death certificates. There are two types. The public version leaves out the cause of death. Anyone age 18 or older can get this type for any Sunrise death record. You do not need to be a family member, and you do not need to give a reason.

The confidential version shows the cause of death. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 382, this type stays restricted for 50 years after the date of death. Only a spouse, parent, child, or legal representative of the estate can ask for it. You must show proof of your relationship when you request a confidential death record for a Sunrise resident. A court order can also grant access if you have a valid legal reason.

The state public records law under Florida Statutes Chapter 119 supports broad access to government records. Death records without the cause of death fall under this law. The Broward County DOH must give a copy to any adult who asks and pays the fee. This makes it straightforward for Sunrise residents or anyone else to get the public version of a death certificate.

Sunrise Death Record Fees

The cost to get a death certificate depends on where you order it. The Broward County DOH charges the standard county rate. The state bureau in Jacksonville is cheaper per copy. VitalChek adds its own fee on top. Here is a quick breakdown for Sunrise residents.

• Broward County DOH first copy: $15
• Broward 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

If you need several copies of the same death record, the state bureau gives you the best price. For just one copy and quick service, the Broward County DOH is the better pick since you can walk out with it the same day. Sunrise residents who want the easiest route can use VitalChek online and skip the trip to Fort Lauderdale entirely.

Sunrise Community and Legal Aid

Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida serves Broward County residents including those in Sunrise. They can help with matters related to estates, probate, and other issues that come up after a death. Contact them at (954) 736-2400 for help. Legal Aid Service of Broward County at (954) 765-8950 is another resource for low-income Sunrise residents who need guidance.

The Broward County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can connect Sunrise residents with attorneys who handle estate and probate matters. The City of Sunrise website at sunrisefl.gov has links to community services and senior programs that may be useful during difficult times. For crisis help, dial 211 to reach the Broward County crisis line any time of day or night.

Broward County Obituary Records

Sunrise is one of many cities in Broward County that rely on the same DOH office for death records. The county page covers more about the Broward DOH office, fee details, related vital records, and other resources that apply to all cities in the county including Sunrise.

View Broward County Obituary Records

Nearby Cities

These Florida cities near Sunrise also have obituary and death record resources that may help with your search.