Access Gadsden County Death Records

Gadsden County obituary and death records are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Quincy. Sitting just west of Tallahassee, Gadsden County is the only majority-Black county in the state, with deep roots and a long history. This page covers how to get death certificates, what fees apply, and where to search for historical obituary records connected to Gadsden County.

Gadsden County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County operates the local vital records office in Quincy. This is the place to get death certificates for deaths that happened in Gadsden County from 2009 onward. The office is on LaSalle Leffall Court, not far from the center of town. Walk-in visits are welcome during normal business hours. Because Gadsden County is relatively small, the office tends to have shorter wait times than larger counties in the area.

Call ahead to make sure the record you need is on file. Bring your photo ID. You will need to fill out the DH727 application form, which is also available in Spanish as DH727S. Staff can help you with the form and answer questions about what documents they have.

The Gadsden County DOH website has contact information and details about the services they offer, including vital records.

The Gadsden County DOH main page is shown below with contact and service information for the Quincy office.

This page serves as the primary portal for Gadsden County health and vital records services.

How to Get Gadsden County Death Certificates

You have three options for getting a death certificate in Gadsden County. Each one has its own cost and timeline.

In-person requests are the quickest. Drive to the Gadsden County DOH office at 278 LaSalle Leffall Court in Quincy. Bring a photo ID, fill out the DH727 form, and tell staff the full name of the deceased person, the date of death, and where they died. If you know the date of birth or Social Security number, that speeds things up. The fee is $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy at the same time. Most in-person orders get done the same day.

Mail orders go to the same Quincy address. Include a completed DH727 form, a photocopy of your ID, a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Expect about 2 to 3 weeks for the whole process.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the only authorized online vendor for Florida vital records. VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate 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, with rush options available for more money.

Note: If you live near Tallahassee, the drive to the Quincy office is about 25 minutes and often faster than waiting for mail or online delivery.

Types of Gadsden County Death Certificates

Florida has two types of death certificates. Which one you can get depends on your relationship to the person who died.

A certificate without cause of death is public. Any person 18 or older can request it. No family ties needed. It shows the person's name, date and place of death, and other basic facts. Social Security numbers are partially blacked out per Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. These copies work for many legal and personal needs, just not anything requiring medical cause of death.

A certificate with cause of death is restricted for 50 years. Only certain people qualify: a surviving spouse, parent, adult child, adult grandchild, adult sibling, or someone with a documented estate interest. A court order also gets you access. You may have to fill out DH Form 1959, which is an affidavit of your relationship and right to the record. The Gadsden County DOH staff in Quincy can help you figure out which form you need.

For estate work, insurance claims, and legal matters in Gadsden County, the cause-of-death version is usually the one families ask for. If you are not sure which type you need, the staff can advise you when you visit or call.

Fees for Gadsden County Death Records

The Gadsden County DOH office charges $5 for the first certified death certificate and $4 for each additional copy ordered together. This covers walk-in and mail requests.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville charges the same $5 for one search and copy, plus $4 for extras. Unknown death years cost $2 per year searched, capped at $50. Pre-2009 records have a $10 rush fee option, and there is a $1 per-order shipping charge.

VitalChek online orders cost $15 for the first copy, $7 processing, and $4 per additional. It is the priciest way to order, but it saves a trip if you are not near Quincy.

Historical Death Records and Obituaries

The Gadsden County DOH office has death records dating back to 2009. For anything older, contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, or call (904) 359-6900. Florida keeps death records from 1877 forward. Since Gadsden County has been around since 1823, many early records exist at the state level that you won't find locally.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, death certificates must be filed within five days. Section 382.008 sets the filing requirements. Section 382.016 gives local registrars like the Gadsden County DOH the authority to issue certified copies.

The Florida Memory Project is a free tool from the State Library and Archives of Florida. It holds digitized records, old photographs, and documents useful for genealogy. For Gadsden County families tracing their roots, this resource can be very valuable. The Florida Clerks of Court site links to probate records that may hold death-related details from before the vital records system was put in place.

Local funeral homes in Quincy and across Gadsden County keep their own records. Many have obituary files going back decades. The Gadsden County Public Library system may also have newspaper archives where old obituaries appeared. The Havana Herald and the Gadsden County Times are historical local papers worth checking.

Note: Gadsden County's proximity to Tallahassee means some residents may also find relevant records at the Leon County DOH or through the state capital's larger library system.

Public Records Law in Gadsden County

Florida's Sunshine Law, detailed in Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes, gives broad public access to government records. Death certificates without cause of death fall under this law and are open to any adult. Cause of death stays confidential for 50 years. Social Security numbers are always redacted.

If a records request is wrongly denied in Gadsden County, the Florida Attorney General's office handles complaints. Providing false information on a vital records application is a third-degree felony under Chapter 775 of the Florida Statutes. This applies everywhere in the state, including Gadsden County. Always use truthful details and bring valid identification.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Gadsden County. Each has its own DOH vital records office where you can request death certificates.