Gulf County Obituary Death Records

Gulf County obituary and death records are maintained by the Florida Department of Health office in Port St. Joe. This Gulf Coast county sits on a stretch of the Florida Panhandle known for its quiet beaches and small-town feel. The guide below covers how to request death certificates in Gulf County, what the process costs, and where to look for older records or obituary information.

Gulf County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Gulf County runs the vital records office from Port St. Joe. This is where you go for death certificates tied to deaths that happened in Gulf County from 2009 onward. The office is on Cecil G. Costin Sr. Boulevard, the main road through town. Because Gulf County has a small population, the office is rarely crowded, and most walk-in requests get handled quickly.

Before you drive to Port St. Joe, call the office to confirm the record is available. Bring a valid photo ID. You will fill out a DH727 application form (DH727S if you need Spanish). The staff can walk you through the form and tell you exactly what you need to provide.

The Gulf County DOH website lists services and contact information for the Port St. Joe office.

The Gulf County DOH main page is shown below with hours, location, and contact details.

This portal is the starting point for Gulf County vital records and health services.

Requesting Gulf County Death Certificates

Gulf County death certificates can be ordered in person, by mail, or online. Each method has different turnaround times and costs.

For in-person requests, go to the Gulf County DOH office at 1000 Cecil G. Costin Sr. Blvd in Port St. Joe. Bring your photo ID and fill out a DH727 form. Provide the deceased person's full name, date of death, and the location where the death took place. Having additional details like date of birth or Social Security number helps speed things along. The fee is $5 for the first certified copy. Each extra copy costs $4 when ordered at the same time. In most cases, you leave with the certificate that same day.

Mail orders go to the same Port St. Joe address. Send a completed DH727 form, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Don't forget to include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders typically take 2 to 3 weeks from start to finish.

For online orders, use VitalChek. It is the only online vendor the state of Florida authorizes. VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate plus $7 in processing fees. Additional copies cost $4 each. Pay by credit or debit card. Standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days.

Note: During hurricane season, the Gulf County DOH office may close or reduce hours. Check ahead if bad weather is in the forecast.

Death Certificate Types in Gulf County

Florida issues two kinds of death certificates. The one you can get depends on who you are and why you need it.

A death certificate without cause of death is a public record. Anyone age 18 or older can order one. No proof of family connection is needed. These copies still include the person's name, date and place of death, and other vital details. The first five digits of the Social Security number are blacked out per Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. This type covers most general purposes.

A death certificate with cause of death is confidential for 50 years. Only eligible individuals can access it. That means a surviving spouse, parent, adult child or grandchild, adult sibling, or a person with a demonstrated estate interest. A court order can also open up access. You may need to fill out DH Form 1959, an affidavit that documents your relationship to the deceased and your reason for needing the record. Gulf County DOH staff in Port St. Joe can explain the eligibility rules when you call or visit.

Fees for Gulf County Death Records

The Gulf County DOH office charges $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered together. These fees are the same for walk-in and mail orders.

Through the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, the cost is $5 for a search and one copy, plus $4 per extra. If you don't know the year of death, they charge $2 per year they search, capped at $50. Pre-2009 records can carry a $10 rush fee if you need them fast. There is also a $1 shipping charge.

VitalChek online orders run $15 for the first copy, $7 for processing, and $4 for additional copies. It is the most expensive option but also the easiest for people who aren't near Port St. Joe. A credit card or debit card is needed to pay online.

Historical Records and Gulf County Obituaries

Gulf County's DOH office has death records from 2009 to the present. For anything older, contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, or call (904) 359-6900. The state maintains Florida death records back to 1877. Gulf County was created from Calhoun County in 1925, so earlier records may appear under Calhoun County in state files.

Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes requires that death certificates be filed within five days of a death. Section 382.008 covers the filing process, and Section 382.016 gives local registrars, including the Gulf County DOH, authority to issue certified copies. These rules are the same across every Florida county.

The Florida Memory Project offers free access to historical records, photographs, and documents useful for genealogy. The Florida Clerks of Court site has links to probate and court records that may contain death-related information for Gulf County residents from decades past.

Local funeral homes in Port St. Joe and Wewahitchka keep their own obituary records. The Star newspaper, which serves Gulf County, has published obituaries for years. The Gulf County Public Library in Port St. Joe may have back issues or microfilm archives of local newspapers where old obituaries can be found.

Note: Gulf County's small size means the local DOH office is the only county-level source for certified death certificates. All pre-2009 requests must go through Jacksonville.

Gulf County Public Records Access

Florida's public records law, outlined in Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes, gives the public broad access to government documents. Death certificates without cause of death are open records available to any adult. Cause of death information stays sealed for 50 years. Social Security numbers are redacted on all public copies.

If you think a Gulf County records request was improperly denied, file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General's office. Providing false information on a vital records form is a third-degree felony under Chapter 775 of the Florida Statutes. Always bring real identification and fill out your forms honestly when requesting records in Gulf County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Gulf County. Each one has its own DOH vital records office for death certificate requests.