Hendry County Death Records

Hendry County obituary and death records are kept by the Florida Department of Health office in LaBelle. This page covers how to search for, request, and receive copies of death certificates in Hendry County, along with details on fees, forms, and state-level resources that can help with older records or genealogy work.

Hendry County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Hendry County operates out of LaBelle and handles death certificate requests for deaths that were filed in the county from 2009 forward. The office sits on Pratt Boulevard, not far from the center of town. Staff there can help with walk-in orders, answer questions by phone, and process mail requests. If you live in or near Hendry County, this is the most direct place to go for a death record.

Hendry County is one of the smaller counties in South Florida. LaBelle serves as the county seat, and most government services are based there. The DOH office handles all vital records including birth, death, and marriage certificates. For death records, this office is your first stop unless you need something from before 2009.

You can reach the Hendry County DOH main page for general health department services and contact details.

The Hendry County health department site lists services, hours, and ways to reach the office in LaBelle.

How to Request Hendry County Death Records

Getting a death certificate in Hendry County takes one of three paths. You can go in person, mail your request, or order online. Each route has its own cost and timeline, so pick the one that fits your needs best.

In-person requests are the quickest. Visit the Hendry County DOH office at 1140 Pratt Blvd in LaBelle. Bring a valid photo ID. You will fill out a DH727 form (or DH727S if you need it in Spanish). The form asks for the full name of the deceased, date of death, and where the death took place in Hendry County. A date of birth and Social Security number help the staff find the right record faster. In most cases, you can get a certified copy the same day. The fee is $5 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy you order at the same time.

Mail orders work too. Send a completed DH727 form, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Mail it to the Hendry County DOH at the Pratt Blvd address. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Plan for 2 to 3 weeks to get your copy back by mail.

Online orders go through VitalChek. This is the only online vendor that 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. Rush options are available but cost more.

Note: The Hendry County DOH does not have a dedicated vital records page on its website, so call ahead to confirm hours and fees before your visit.

Death Certificate Types in Hendry County

Florida issues two versions of a death certificate. Which one you can get depends on your relationship to the person who died. This applies in Hendry County just like everywhere else in the state.

A death certificate without cause of death is a public record. Anyone 18 or older can request one. No family tie is needed. These copies still show the name, date and place of death, and other key facts. The first five digits of the Social Security number are redacted per Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. This type of certificate works well for genealogy, property matters, and general research.

A death certificate with cause of death is confidential for 50 years. Only close family members and those with a direct legal or financial interest can get this version. The list includes the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, adult siblings, and anyone named as a beneficiary in the estate or insurance policy. A court order grants access too. If you need cause of death in Hendry County, you may have to fill out DH Form 1959. This affidavit proves your right to the restricted information.

Hendry County Obituary and Historical Death Records

The Hendry County DOH office has death records from 2009 to the present. For older records, you need to go to the state. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds death records going back to 1877. That office is at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. You can call them at (904) 359-6900. The state search fee is $5 for one copy. If you do not know the exact year of death, they charge $2 per year searched, up to $50.

Pre-2009 records may also carry a $10 rush fee if you need them fast, plus a $1 shipping charge per order. These older Hendry County death records can be useful for estate work, tracing family lines, or settling old property claims. The state office can search by name and approximate date if you are not sure of the exact details.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, every death in Florida must be registered within five days. Section 382.008 covers the filing rules, and Section 382.016 allows local offices like the Hendry County DOH to issue certified copies. These laws set the baseline for how death records are handled statewide.

The Hendry County government website provides access to various county departments and public records.

The county site links to departments, services, and other Hendry County public records.

Note: Funeral homes in Hendry County often have copies of death records and obituaries they helped prepare, which can be another source if official records are hard to find.

Other Ways to Find Hendry County Death Records

Beyond the DOH office, you have a few more options for Hendry County death records and obituary searches. The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics handles all state-level death certificate requests and stores the central repository of records. If the Hendry County office cannot find what you need, the state office may have it.

Local funeral homes in LaBelle and Clewiston keep their own records. They can often provide copies of obituaries or help you track down the details you need to request a formal certificate. Newspaper obituaries from the Caloosa Belle or other local publications may be archived at the Hendry County library branches or through online newspaper databases.

The Florida Memory Project is a free resource from the State Library and Archives. It holds historical documents, photographs, and records that can help with genealogy research. The Florida Clerks of Court website can point you to probate and court records in Hendry County that sometimes contain death-related information, especially for records from before the modern vital records system.

Under Florida's Sunshine Law, most public records are open for inspection. Chapter 119 gives broad access to government records held at the state, county, and city level. Death certificates without cause of death fall under this public access right. Providing false information on a vital records application is a felony under Chapter 775 of the Florida Statutes. Always use accurate details when you fill out forms.

Nearby Counties

If you need death records from a county that borders Hendry, these offices each have their own DOH vital records staff.