Citrus County Death Records

Obituary and death records in Citrus County are held by the Florida Department of Health office in Lecanto. With a population of more than 170,000, Citrus County sits along the Nature Coast of Florida and sees a steady flow of death certificate requests each year. The county health department handles all local vital records, and the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville keeps older files going back to 1877. You can search for death records in person, by mail, or through online ordering services, depending on the type of record you need and how far back it goes.

Citrus County Health Department Death Records

The Citrus County Department of Health is the main place to get death certificates for deaths that took place in Florida from 2009 to the present. The office sits on West Sovereign Path in Lecanto, just south of Inverness. Staff there can look up death records, take your request, and issue certified copies. Walk-in service is the fastest way to get what you need. You can also mail in a request if you can't make the trip.

The Citrus County DOH office provides the certificates and vital records page on its website with details on what forms you need and how to pay. Two types of death certificates exist in Florida. The first type does not show cause of death. Anyone age 18 or older can get this version. The second type includes the cause of death and is kept private for 50 years under Chapter 382 of the Florida Statutes. Only close family members, those named in a will or insurance policy, or someone with a court order can get the version with cause of death in Citrus County.

The Citrus County health department page shows the services they offer for vital records requests.

This page is the first stop for most people looking for a death record in Citrus County.

How to Get Citrus County Death Certificates

Getting a death certificate in Citrus County starts with filling out the right form. The state uses Form DH-727 for all death certificate requests. A Spanish version, DH-727S, is also on hand. You can pick up a form at the Lecanto office or print one from the Citrus County DOH certificates page. Fill in the full legal name of the person who died, their date of birth, date of death, sex, Social Security number, and the city or county where death took place. Bring a valid photo ID when you go in person.

If you want the version with cause of death, you also need to fill out DH Form 1959, which is an affidavit. This form proves your right to the record under Florida law. A spouse, parent, adult child, grandchild, or sibling 18 and older can sign this form. So can someone named in the will or an insurance beneficiary. Without this form, the Citrus County office will give you the public version only. The first five digits of the Social Security number are blacked out on all public copies.

The certificates page on the Citrus County DOH site shows exactly what types of records you can request.

Check this page before you visit to make sure you have all the right paperwork.

Note: Giving false info on a death certificate request is a third degree felony under Chapter 775 of the Florida Statutes.

Citrus County Death Record Fees and Processing

The state fee for a death certificate is $5, which covers a search and one certified copy. Each extra copy costs $4. If you don't know the year of death, the state charges $2 per year searched, up to $50 total. For deaths before 2009, add a $10 rush fee if you want faster service from the state bureau. Shipping is $1 when you order by mail from Citrus County.

Processing time for Citrus County death records from 2009 to the present is usually three to five business days. Older records take longer since they must come from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville at 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. You can call the state bureau at (904) 359-6900. For the fastest way to order from home, use VitalChek online. VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies through VitalChek cost $4 each. You can also call VitalChek at 1-877-550-7330 to order by phone.

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners website also has info on county services at citrusbocc.com. While the county government doesn't issue death certificates, it can point you to the right office.

Older Death Records and Obituary Research in Citrus County

For deaths that happened before 2009, the Citrus County DOH office can't help you directly. Those records are at the state level. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics has death records going all the way back to 1877. You send the same DH-727 form to the state bureau in Jacksonville. Expect a longer wait for these older records.

Obituary research in Citrus County often goes beyond just a death certificate. The Florida Memory project, run by the State Library and Archives, has historical records that can fill in gaps. They hold pension files, military service cards, and other documents that may mention a death date or family members. The Citrus County public library system may also have local newspaper archives with published obituaries going back many decades.

The Citrus County government website can help you find local services and resources.

This site links to several county departments that work with residents and families.

The Florida Clerks of Court network is another resource for Citrus County. The Clerk of the Circuit Court handles probate files, which often tie back to death records. If a person died with a will or estate, probate records at the clerk's office may show the date of death, heirs, and other facts. These are public records under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, the state public records law.

Who Can Get Citrus County Death Records

Access depends on the type of record. The public version of a death certificate, which does not show cause of death, is open to anyone 18 or older. You don't need to be a family member. Just fill out Form DH-727, pay the fee, and show your ID at the Citrus County DOH office.

The confidential version is different. Only certain people can get it. Florida law limits access for 50 years after the date of death. The list of people who qualify includes the surviving spouse, a parent of the deceased, any child or grandchild or sibling who is 18 or older, a person named in the deceased's will, an insurance beneficiary, or someone with a court order. If you fall into one of these groups, bring proof of your connection along with your photo ID when you go to the Citrus County office.

Note: The Citrus County DOH staff can explain which type of death certificate fits your needs if you are not sure.

Additional Citrus County Record Resources

Beyond the health department, a few other sources can help with death records and obituary lookups in Citrus County. The Citrus County Clerk of Court manages probate and estate cases. When someone dies and their estate goes through probate, the court file often includes a certified death certificate. These files are public and can be searched at the clerk's office in Inverness.

Funeral homes in Citrus County may also have copies of obituaries and death notices. Many families publish obituaries in the Citrus County Chronicle, the main local paper. Back issues can be found at the library or through online newspaper archives. The Citrus County Genealogical Society is another option for people doing family research. They hold meetings and keep records that can point you to death records for past Citrus County residents.

The certificates section of the Citrus County health department website provides details on all vital record types.

Use this page to find forms and learn about the request steps before you contact the office.

Nearby Counties

These counties sit next to Citrus County. If the death happened in a border area, the record may be filed in one of these neighboring counties instead.