Collier County Obituary Records

Obituary and death records in Collier County are processed through the Florida Department of Health office in Naples. Collier County is one of the largest counties in Florida by land area and has a population of more than 416,000. The county seat is East Naples. Because of its large seasonal population, the Collier County health department processes a high volume of death certificate requests each year. This page covers how to search for and obtain death records from Collier County, including fees, forms, and where to look for older obituary records.

Collier County Health Department Records

The Collier County Department of Health is on East Tamiami Trail in Naples. This is the office to visit for death certificates when the death took place anywhere in Florida from 2009 to the present. The staff at this location can search for records, check your paperwork, and hand you certified copies on the spot if you come in person. The office also takes mail requests, though those take a bit more time.

Collier County has a dedicated vital records certificates page that walks you through the process. Florida law creates two types of death certificates. The public type does not list the cause of death. Any adult 18 or older can request one. The confidential type includes cause of death and is restricted for 50 years from the date of death per Chapter 382, Florida Statutes. Only certain people can access the confidential version in Collier County.

The Collier County DOH website shows how to reach their office and what services are available.

Visit this page first to check office hours and learn what to bring.

How to Request Collier County Death Records

Start by filling out Form DH-727. This is the state form for death certificate requests. There is also a Spanish version called DH-727S. You can pick up a form at the Naples office or print it from the Collier County DOH certificates page. The form needs the full name of the person who died, date of birth, date of death, sex, Social Security number, and city or county where the death occurred.

You must show a valid photo ID. The Collier County staff will not process your request without one. For the confidential version with cause of death, you also fill out DH Form 1959, an affidavit that proves your legal standing. Who qualifies? The surviving spouse, parents, children 18 and older, grandchildren, siblings 18 and up, people named in the will, insurance beneficiaries, and those with a court order. Everyone else gets the public version.

The certificates section on the Collier County health department website has details on what forms to use.

Check the forms and requirements listed on this page before you make a trip to the office.

Collier County Death Certificate Fees

Fees are the same across all Florida counties. A death certificate in Collier County costs $5 for a search plus one copy. Additional copies are $4 each. If the year of death is not known, the state will search at $2 per year, up to a maximum of $50. Deaths before 2009 may have a $10 rush fee attached if you want faster processing from the state bureau.

Processing time varies. For deaths from 2009 to the present, the Collier County office usually takes three to five business days. Older records come from the Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Call (904) 359-6900 for help with older Collier County records. Mail orders add $1 for shipping. For those who want the fastest option from home, VitalChek offers online ordering. The VitalChek fee is $15 for the first certificate plus a $7 processing charge. Extra copies cost $4. You can also call VitalChek at 1-877-550-7330.

Note: Collier County fees may be paid by money order or cashier's check for mail requests. Call ahead to confirm which payment methods the office accepts in person.

Obituary Research in Collier County

Looking for an obituary in Collier County involves more than just the health department. Obituaries are typically published in local papers. The Naples Daily News is the main newspaper serving Collier County, and it has run death notices and obituaries for decades. You can search recent editions online or check archives at the Collier County Public Library system. The library has both print and digital resources for looking up old obituary listings.

For deeper historical research in Collier County, the Florida Memory project run by the State Library and Archives of Florida can help. This resource has military service records, pension files, and other state documents that may list death dates or surviving family members. The Collier County Museum in Naples also keeps local historical records, including old community documents and newspaper clippings tied to deaths and burials.

The Collier County government website links to many local departments and resources for residents.

Use this site to find county services beyond the health department.

The Florida Clerks of Court portal also provides a path to Collier County probate records. Estate files often contain a death certificate as part of the court record. These are public under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, which is the state's public records law. The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court in the courthouse handles these requests.

Who Can Get Collier County Death Records

Public death certificates are open to any adult. You don't need a reason. Just show your ID and pay the fee at the Collier County DOH office. These records leave out the cause of death and have the first five digits of the Social Security number blacked out.

Confidential records are restricted. Florida law limits access for 50 years. To get a copy with cause of death from Collier County, you must be the surviving spouse, a parent, a child or grandchild at least 18 years old, a sibling 18 or older, someone named in the deceased's will, an insurance beneficiary, or a person with a court order. Bring proof of your relationship along with your photo ID and the completed DH Form 1959 affidavit. The Collier County office will deny your request if you cannot prove you qualify.

More Collier County Record Resources

Several other offices and groups in Collier County can help with death-related research. The Collier County Clerk of Court handles probate matters. When a person dies and leaves property behind, the probate file at the courthouse may include the death certificate, will, and a list of heirs. These files are public and can be viewed at the clerk's office in Naples.

Funeral homes across Collier County are another source. They keep records of deaths and services and can often tell you which newspaper published an obituary. Cemeteries throughout the county maintain burial records with dates of death and next of kin listed. The Collier County government website at colliercountyfl.gov can point you to additional departments and services. The Naples area also has genealogical societies that can help with older death records and family research in Collier County.

The Collier County vital records page shows specific forms and certificates you can request.

This page covers death certificates as well as other vital record types available in Collier County.

Nearby Counties

Collier County shares borders with several Florida counties. Death records are filed based on where the death occurred, so if you are not sure it happened in Collier County, try these neighbors.