Search Clay County Obituary Records

Death records and obituary information for Clay County are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Fleming Island. Clay County has a growing population of over 236,000 residents and is part of the Jacksonville metro area. The county seat is Green Cove Springs, though the health department operates from a newer facility on Town Center Boulevard. Whether you need a death certificate for a legal matter or are tracing family history through obituaries, the Clay County DOH office handles all requests for deaths recorded from 2009 forward.

Clay County DOH Vital Records Office

The Clay County Department of Health runs the vital records office from its location in Fleming Island. This office processes death certificate requests for any death that happened in Florida from 2009 onward. You can visit in person, or you can send your request by mail. The Fleming Island office is in Building 400, Suite 410, at the Town Center Boulevard complex. It is easy to reach from Green Cove Springs, Orange Park, and other parts of Clay County.

The Clay County DOH certificates page explains the steps for requesting a death record. Florida issues two kinds of death certificates. One type leaves out the cause of death and is open to any adult. The other shows the cause and is classified as confidential for 50 years under Chapter 382, Florida Statutes. Only certain family members and authorized parties can get the confidential version from the Clay County office.

The Clay County DOH main page gives an overview of the services they offer, including vital records.

Start here to learn what the Clay County health department can do for your records request.

Requesting Death Certificates in Clay County

To request a death certificate in Clay County, you need to fill out Form DH-727. This is the standard state form used across all Florida counties. A Spanish language version, DH-727S, is also available. You can get blank forms at the Fleming Island office or download them from the Clay County certificates page. The form asks for the deceased person's full legal name, date of birth, date of death, sex, Social Security number, and the city or county of death.

Bring a valid photo ID with you. This is not optional. The Clay County staff will check your ID before they process your request. If you want the confidential version that shows cause of death, you also need DH Form 1959. This affidavit proves you have legal standing to see the restricted information. People who qualify include the spouse, parents, adult children, grandchildren, siblings over 18, beneficiaries named in a will or insurance policy, and anyone with a court order. Without the affidavit, you get the public version only.

The certificates section of the Clay County DOH website lays out these steps in detail.

Review this page so you know which documents to bring when you visit the Clay County office.

Note: The first five digits of the Social Security number are redacted on all public death certificates issued in Clay County.

Clay County Death Record Fees

The cost for a death certificate in Clay County is set by the state. The base fee is $5, which pays for a search and one certified copy. Extra copies are $4 each. If you don't know the exact year of death, the state will search year by year at $2 per year, capped at $50. For records from before 2009, an additional $10 rush fee applies when you want faster handling from the state bureau.

Mail orders take a bit longer. Add $1 for shipping. Processing for deaths from 2009 to the present usually takes three to five business days through the Clay County office. Older records must come from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl Street in Jacksonville, FL 32202. Call them at (904) 359-6900 if you have questions about pre-2009 death records in Clay County.

Online ordering through VitalChek is the fastest remote option. VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy and adds a $7 processing fee. Each extra copy is $4. You can also call VitalChek at 1-877-550-7330. This service works for any Florida death record, not just those from Clay County.

Obituary and Historical Records in Clay County

Death certificates are just one piece of the puzzle. Many people searching for death records in Clay County also want obituary information. Obituaries often give more personal details than a certificate: family members' names, service dates, burial locations, and a short account of the person's life. Local newspapers in Clay County, such as the Clay Today, publish obituaries regularly. Back issues may be found at the Clay County public library or through online newspaper databases.

For historical research, the Florida Memory project holds old records that can be useful. This site has Confederate pension files, World War I service cards, and other documents that sometimes include death dates. The Clay County Archives and Historical Society in Green Cove Springs is another option. They keep local records, old photos, and community documents that may tie to death and obituary records in the Clay County area.

The Clay County vital records certificates page provides all the forms and info you need.

This is the page to visit when you want to begin your search for a Clay County death record.

The Florida Clerks of Court website connects you to the Clay County Clerk, who manages probate and estate records. Probate files in Clay County often include a death certificate, a will, and details about heirs. These are public records under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes.

Who Can Access Clay County Death Records

The rules on access depend on the type of death certificate. Public death certificates are open to any person who is 18 or older. You do not need to prove a family tie. Just fill out the form, pay the fee, and show your ID at the Clay County DOH office in Fleming Island. These copies do not show the cause of death.

Confidential death certificates are another matter. Florida law restricts access for 50 years from the date of death. The people who can get a copy with cause of death are: the surviving spouse, a parent of the deceased, a child or grandchild or sibling who is at least 18, a person named as beneficiary in the deceased's will, an insurance beneficiary, or anyone holding a court order. You must bring proof of your relationship to the Clay County office along with your photo ID and the completed DH Form 1959 affidavit.

Note: The Clay County DOH office can answer questions about which type of death record fits your situation if you call ahead at (904) 529-2800.

Additional Clay County Record Sources

Beyond the health department, several other offices in Clay County can help with death-related records. The Clay County Clerk of Court in Green Cove Springs handles probate cases. When someone passes away, their estate may go through probate at the courthouse. These files are searchable and often include death certificates and lists of heirs. The Clay County government site has links to various county departments and services.

Funeral homes throughout Clay County keep their own records of deaths and services. They may have copies of obituaries or can tell you which newspaper ran a notice. Cemeteries in the county also maintain burial records that list the date of death, next of kin, and plot location. These records can fill in gaps when a death certificate alone does not provide enough detail for your search in Clay County.

Nearby Counties

Clay County shares borders with several other Florida counties. If you are not sure where a death was recorded, check with these neighboring county offices as well.