Hamilton County Death Record Search

Hamilton County obituary and death records are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Jasper. Located in north-central Florida along the Georgia border, Hamilton County is a rural area with a small population. This page walks through how to obtain death certificates in Hamilton County, what fees you will pay, and where to find historical obituary records for residents of this area.

Hamilton County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Hamilton County runs a vital records office in Jasper on SE Central Avenue. This is the main office for death certificates covering deaths that occurred in Hamilton County from 2009 forward. The building is close to downtown Jasper and easy to find. Given the small population, wait times are minimal, and most walk-in visitors get their request handled within a short time.

Call ahead to verify that the death record you need is on file at the Jasper office. Bring a valid photo ID. You will need to fill out a DH727 application form (DH727S is available in Spanish). The staff at the Hamilton County DOH are used to helping people through the process and can answer questions about what documents you need.

The Hamilton County DOH website provides general health department information, service listings, and contact details for the Jasper office.

Below is the Hamilton County DOH main page showing service hours and contact information.

This page is the entry point for Hamilton County health services and vital records requests.

How to Get Hamilton County Death Certificates

Three methods are available for obtaining a death certificate in Hamilton County. Which one you pick depends on where you are and how soon you need the document.

In-person requests are the fastest route. Visit the Hamilton County DOH at 209 SE Central Ave. in Jasper. Bring a photo ID, complete the DH727 form, and provide the full name of the deceased, date of death, and place of death. The date of birth helps narrow the search. The cost is $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Same-day processing is typical for walk-in visits.

For mail requests, send a completed DH727 form along with a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Put in a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return delivery. Mail everything to the Jasper address above. The whole process usually takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time they receive your letter.

Online orders go through VitalChek, Florida's authorized online vendor for vital records. VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate plus a $7 processing fee. Additional copies cost $4 each. Pay by credit or debit card, and expect standard delivery in 5 to 7 business days. Rush shipping is available if you need the record sooner.

Note: Hamilton County is remote, so mail delivery can sometimes take longer than in more urban areas. Factor in extra time for mail-based orders.

Types of Death Certificates

Florida has two types of death certificates. Your access depends on your identity and the purpose of the request.

The public version is a death certificate without cause of death. Any person 18 or older can get one. Family ties are not required. This copy shows the deceased's name, date and place of death, and other basic facts. Social Security numbers are partly redacted under Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. For most basic needs, this version works fine.

The restricted version includes cause of death and stays confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only certain people qualify: a surviving spouse, a parent, an adult child or grandchild, an adult sibling, or someone who can prove an estate interest (such as a beneficiary named in a will or insurance policy). A court order is another way to gain access. You may need to complete DH Form 1959, which is an affidavit of relationship. Hamilton County DOH staff can help you figure out which version you are eligible to receive.

Hamilton County Death Record Fees

The Hamilton County DOH charges $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered together. This covers in-person and mail requests.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville charges the same $5 search fee for one copy, with $4 for each extra. Unknown years of death cost $2 per year searched, up to $50. Pre-2009 records can have a $10 rush fee added if you want them expedited. Shipping is $1 per order from the state office.

VitalChek costs $15 for the first copy, $7 for processing, and $4 per additional certificate. While it costs more than going through the county or state office, VitalChek is useful for Hamilton County residents who live far from Jasper or cannot easily send mail.

Historical Death Records and Obituary Research

The Hamilton County DOH office keeps death records from 2009 to the present. For older records, contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, or phone (904) 359-6900. Florida maintains death records going back to 1877. Hamilton County has been around since 1827, so there is a long history of vital records that the state office may have on file.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, death certificates must be filed within five days of a death occurring. Section 382.008 sets out the filing requirements, and Section 382.016 authorizes local DOH offices like Hamilton County's to produce certified copies.

The Florida Memory Project provides free access to digitized historical records, old photographs, and documents that can help with genealogy research. For Hamilton County families tracing their ancestry, this resource often turns up materials that are not available anywhere else online. The Florida Clerks of Court website links to probate and court records. Probate files, in particular, sometimes contain death-related information from the early days of Hamilton County.

Local funeral homes in Jasper and White Springs keep their own obituary records. The Jasper News, the area's local paper, has published obituaries for many years. The Hamilton County Public Library may have newspaper archives on microfilm or through digital databases. Community churches in Hamilton County also sometimes maintain burial records that can be helpful when official records come up short.

Note: Hamilton County shares a border with Georgia, and some families have connections on both sides of the state line. Georgia death records are handled separately through that state's vital records office.

Public Records Law in Hamilton County

Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes is the Sunshine Law that gives the public broad access to government records. Death certificates without cause of death are public records that anyone 18 or older can request. Cause of death stays confidential for 50 years. Social Security numbers are always redacted on public copies of death certificates.

If your Hamilton County records request was wrongly denied, the Florida Attorney General's office handles complaints. Submitting false information on a vital records application is a third-degree felony under Chapter 775 of the Florida Statutes. Always provide accurate information and bring valid photo ID when requesting records.

Nearby Counties

These counties neighbor Hamilton County and each has its own DOH vital records office for death certificate requests.