Search Alachua County Death Records

Alachua County obituary and death records are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Gainesville. This guide walks you through every way to find, request, and get copies of death certificates in Alachua County, whether you need them for estate work, genealogy, or personal use.

Alachua County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County runs the local vital records office out of Gainesville. This is where most people go to get death certificates for deaths that took place in Alachua County from 2009 to the present. The office also helps with birth and marriage records, but death records are one of the most common requests they handle. Walk-in visits are the fastest option if you live near the area, though mail and online orders work too.

The Alachua County health department sits on SE 24th Street, just south of the University of Florida campus area. Parking is available on site. You can call ahead to check wait times or ask about what forms of ID you need to bring. Staff can also tell you if a specific death record is on file before you make the trip.

The Alachua County certificates page has details on what documents you can get and what to bring with you. The office handles death certificates for any death that was registered in Alachua County.

The Alachua County DOH vital records office provides death certificates through its health department portal, shown below.

This page is the main entry point for Alachua County vital records services, including death certificate requests.

How to Get Death Records in Alachua County

There are three main ways to get a death certificate in Alachua County. Each method has its own timeline and cost. The option you pick depends on how fast you need it and whether you can visit the office in person.

For in-person requests, go to the Alachua County DOH office at 224 SE 24th St in Gainesville. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out a death certificate application form (DH727 in English or DH727S in Spanish). You will need to know the full name of the person who died, their date of death, and the city or county where the death took place. The date of birth and Social Security number help speed up the search. Staff will process your request while you wait in most cases, though it can take up to 3 to 5 business days if the record needs extra review. The fee in Alachua County is $10 for the first copy and $4 for each one after that.

Mail requests go to the same office address. Include a completed DH727 form, a copy of your photo ID, a check or money order made out to the Florida Department of Health, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders typically take longer, often 2 to 3 weeks from the time the office gets your letter.

You can also view the Alachua County certificates section online for more detail on ordering options.

The certificates section lists forms, fees, and what you need to bring for in-person or mail orders.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the only vendor the state of Florida authorizes for online vital records orders. VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate plus a $7 processing fee. Each extra copy is $4. You will need a credit or debit card. Orders through VitalChek usually arrive in 5 to 7 business days by standard mail, or faster if you pay for rush shipping.

Note: VitalChek is the sole authorized online vendor for Florida death certificates and charges additional processing fees above the state rate.

Alachua County Death Certificate Types

Florida issues two kinds of death certificates. The type you can get depends on who you are and why you need the record. This matters quite a bit for Alachua County residents working through estate or insurance claims.

The first type is a death certificate without cause of death. This is a public record. Anyone age 18 or older can request one. You do not need to show a family connection. These copies still list the person's name, date of death, place of death, and other vital facts. However, the first five digits of the Social Security number are blacked out under Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes, which makes SSNs confidential on public copies.

The second type includes cause of death. This version is confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only certain people can get it. The list of eligible requesters includes a surviving spouse, a parent, a child or grandchild 18 or older, a sibling 18 or older, or someone named in a will or insurance policy who can show an estate interest. A court order also works. You may need to fill out DH Form 1959, an affidavit that proves your relationship and right to the cause of death information.

The Alachua County vital records page provides additional specifics on how to apply for these certificates.

The office helps walk-in visitors determine which type of death certificate they qualify to receive.

Fees for Alachua County Death Records

Alachua County charges $10 for the first certified copy of a death certificate and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. These fees apply to both in-person and mail orders placed through the Alachua County DOH office.

If you go through the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville instead, the fee structure is a bit different. The state charges a $5 search fee that includes one copy. Additional copies cost $4 each. If you do not know the exact year of death, the state charges $2 for each year they have to search, up to a maximum of $50. Pre-2009 records cost an extra $10 rush fee if you need them expedited, and there is a $1 shipping charge per order.

VitalChek orders carry higher fees. The first certificate is $15, plus $7 in processing fees. Extra copies run $4 each. Credit card and debit card payments are accepted. This is often the most convenient option for Alachua County residents who cannot visit the office or mail in a request, but it does cost more.

Note: Always confirm the current fee schedule with the Alachua County DOH office before sending payment, as fees can change.

Historical Death Records and Genealogy

Florida has death records going back to 1877. The Alachua County DOH office only keeps records from 2009 forward. For anything older than that, you need to contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, or call (904) 359-6900. You can also email VitalStats@FLHealth.gov with questions about older Alachua County records.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, death certificates must be filed within five days of a death and submitted electronically. Section 382.008 spells out the filing rules, while Section 382.016 authorizes local registrars (like the Alachua County DOH) to produce certified copies. These laws govern how Alachua County and every other Florida county handle death records.

For genealogy research in Alachua County, the Florida Memory Project is a free resource run by the State Library and Archives. It holds historical documents, photographs, and records that can help trace family history. The Alachua County Library District also has a genealogy section with access to local newspapers and obituary indexes. The Florida Clerks of Court website can point you to probate records pre-1927 that may hold death-related information for early Alachua County residents.

The Alachua County government website also offers public records access and links to county departments.

The county site connects residents with services across all Alachua County departments.

Additional Alachua County Record Resources

Beyond the DOH office, several other agencies and organizations can help with death-related records in Alachua County. The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics serves as the central repository for all state death records and handles requests for older certificates that the Alachua County office does not have on file.

Funeral homes in Alachua County often keep their own records and may have copies of obituaries or death notices they helped prepare. Local newspapers like The Gainesville Sun publish obituaries that can serve as a starting point for research. Many libraries in Alachua County maintain newspaper archives on microfilm or through digital databases.

Under Florida's public records law, sometimes called the Sunshine Law, most government records are open for inspection. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives the public broad access to records held by state, county, and city agencies. However, cause of death details remain confidential for 50 years, and Social Security numbers are always redacted. If you believe a records request has been improperly denied in Alachua County, the Florida Attorney General's office handles complaints related to public records access.

Providing false information on a vital records application is a third-degree felony under Chapter 775 of the Florida Statutes. This applies to requests made in Alachua County and everywhere else in the state. Always fill out forms truthfully and bring proper identification.

Cities in Alachua County

Gainesville is the county seat and the largest city in Alachua County. Death records for Gainesville residents are processed through the Alachua County DOH office.

Nearby Counties

If you need death records from a neighboring area, these counties border Alachua County and each has its own DOH vital records office.