Escambia County Obituary Records

Escambia County obituary and death records are filed through the Florida Department of Health office in Pensacola. As the westernmost county in the Florida Panhandle, Escambia County handles a large volume of vital records requests each year. This page covers how to get death certificates, what fees to expect, and where to look for older records or obituary information tied to Escambia County.

Escambia County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County runs the local vital records office out of Pensacola. This is the main place to get death certificates for deaths that happened in Escambia County from 2009 to the present. The Pensacola office sits on West Fairfield Drive, close to the main hospital district. Staff there can help with walk-in requests, and they also take mail orders. Most people who live in the Pensacola area find it easiest to just go in person.

Call ahead if you want to check wait times. The office can also tell you if a death record is on file before you make the trip. Bring a valid photo ID and be ready to fill out the DH727 application form. Staff can usually process your request the same day, though some cases take a few extra days.

The Escambia County certificates page lists the forms and documents you need. It also explains what types of records are available and who qualifies to get each one.

The Escambia County DOH office provides death certificates and other vital records through its health department website, shown below.

This is the main page for Escambia County health services and vital records ordering.

How to Get Death Records in Escambia County

There are three main ways to get a death certificate in Escambia County. You can go in person, send a request by mail, or order online. Each method has different costs and timelines, so the right choice depends on how fast you need the record and where you are.

For in-person requests, visit the Escambia County DOH office at 1295 W Fairfield Dr in Pensacola. Bring a photo ID and fill out a DH727 form (or DH727S if you need the Spanish version). You will need the full name of the deceased, their date of death, and the county or city where the death took place. The date of birth helps too. The fee is $5 for the first certified copy, with each extra copy costing $4 when you order them at the same time. In most cases, staff can hand you the certificate that same day.

Mail requests go to the same Pensacola address. Include a completed DH727 form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders take about 2 to 3 weeks to arrive back.

You can view additional details on the Escambia County certificates section for ordering instructions.

The certificates section breaks down what forms to use and how to pay for Escambia County vital records.

Online orders go through VitalChek, which is the only vendor Florida authorizes. VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies cost $4 each. You pay by credit or debit card. Standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days, but rush shipping is available for more money.

Note: VitalChek fees are higher than ordering directly from the Escambia County DOH office, so budget accordingly if cost matters.

Escambia County Death Certificate Types

Florida issues two types of death certificates. Which one you can get depends on your relationship to the deceased and the reason for your request.

The first type is a death certificate without cause of death. This is a public record. Anyone 18 or older can request it. No family connection is needed. These copies still show the person's name, date and place of death, and other basic facts. The first five digits of the Social Security number are blacked out under Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes, which shields SSNs from public view.

The second type includes cause of death. This version stays confidential for 50 years after the date of death. Only specific people can get it: a surviving spouse, parent, adult child or grandchild, adult sibling, or someone with a proven estate interest. A court order also works. You may need to fill out DH Form 1959, which is an affidavit stating your relationship and your right to the information.

For Escambia County residents dealing with estate settlement or insurance claims, the cause-of-death version is usually what you need. The DOH staff in Pensacola can help you figure out which type applies to your situation when you visit.

Fees and Costs for Escambia Death Records

At the Escambia County DOH office, the fee is $5 for the first certified copy of a death certificate. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $4. These rates apply to both walk-in and mail requests.

If you order from the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville instead, the cost structure is similar. The state charges a $5 search fee that includes one copy, plus $4 for each extra. If you don't know the exact year of death, the state charges $2 per year they search, capped at $50. Pre-2009 records carry an extra $10 rush fee if you want them expedited. There's also a $1 shipping charge per order.

VitalChek orders cost more. The first certificate is $15, plus $7 in processing fees. Additional copies are $4 each. You need a credit card or debit card to pay. Despite the higher price, VitalChek is a good option for Escambia County residents who can't visit the office or deal with mail.

You can also review the Escambia County vital records page for the latest on local fees.

The vital records section explains current fees and accepted payment methods for Escambia County death certificates.

Historical Records and Obituary Research

The Escambia County DOH office only holds death records from 2009 forward. For older records, you need to go through the state Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. You can also call them at (904) 359-6900. The state has death records going all the way back to 1877, so even very old Escambia County deaths may be on file at the state level.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, death certificates must be filed within five days. Section 382.008 covers the filing rules, and Section 382.016 lets local registrars like the Escambia County DOH issue certified copies. These laws apply across all 67 Florida counties.

The Florida Memory Project is a free online resource from the State Library and Archives. It holds historical documents, photographs, and digitized records useful for genealogy work. For Escambia County, this can be especially helpful since Pensacola is one of the oldest cities in Florida, with records stretching back centuries.

The Florida Clerks of Court website points to probate and court records that sometimes contain death-related information. Local funeral homes in the Pensacola area also keep their own files and may have obituary copies going back many years. The Pensacola News Journal publishes obituaries that can serve as a starting point for research.

The Escambia County government website connects residents with public records and county services.

The county portal provides access to departments and services across Escambia County.

Escambia County Public Records Access

Florida's public records law, often called the Sunshine Law, gives broad access to government records. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes covers this. Death certificates without cause of death fall under this open access rule. Anyone 18 or older can request them from the Escambia County DOH or the state office in Jacksonville.

Cause of death details stay locked for 50 years. Social Security numbers are always redacted on public copies. If you think a records request was wrongly denied in Escambia County, the Florida Attorney General's office handles complaints about public records access violations.

Giving false information on a vital records application is a third-degree felony under Chapter 775 of the Florida Statutes. This applies to all requests made in Escambia County. Always bring proper ID and fill out forms with truthful, accurate information.

Note: The Escambia County DOH office may ask for extra documentation if the death occurred more than a year ago or if the circumstances of the request seem unusual.

Nearby Counties

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