Indian River County Death Record Search

Indian River County death records and obituary information are available through the Florida Department of Health office in Vero Beach. This page explains how to request death certificates from the Indian River County DOH, the fees involved, the two types of certificates Florida issues, and where to find older records or do genealogy research.

Indian River County DOH Vital Records

The Florida Department of Health in Indian River County is located on 27th Street in Vero Beach. This office handles death certificate requests for deaths that were registered in Indian River County from 2009 to the present. Walk-in service is available during regular business hours, and you can also call or send your request by mail. Vero Beach is the county seat, so most county government services are concentrated here.

Indian River County sits on the Treasure Coast, along Florida's Atlantic side. The DOH office handles a moderate volume of vital records requests. Staff can check whether a death record is on file before you come in. Call ahead to save time, especially if you are traveling from outside the Vero Beach area.

The Indian River County DOH website lists health department services, programs, and contact information.

The Indian River County DOH portal provides access to services and vital records information.

How to Order Indian River County Death Certificates

Three methods are available for getting a death certificate in Indian River County. You can visit the office, use the mail, or order online. Each has different costs and timelines.

In-person requests are the fastest. Visit the Indian River County DOH at 1900 27th St. in Vero Beach. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out a DH727 form (DH727S in Spanish). You will need the deceased person's full name, date of death, and the place of death in Indian River County. Having the date of birth or Social Security number on hand will help the staff locate the record quickly. The fee is $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional one. Most in-person orders are processed the same day, though some take up to a few business days if extra review is needed.

Mail requests should include a completed DH727 form, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Mail to the 27th Street address and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow about 2 to 3 weeks for the order to arrive back to you.

You can view details on the Indian River County certificates page for more on ordering steps and requirements.

The certificates page outlines what Indian River County residents need to request vital records.

Online orders go through VitalChek. This is the sole authorized vendor for Florida vital records online. VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies are $4 each. You pay by credit or debit card. Standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days, with faster options at extra cost.

Note: VitalChek processing fees are on top of the certificate cost, so online ordering is more expensive than going through the Indian River County DOH directly.

Indian River County Death Certificate Types

Florida offers two death certificate versions. The type you can get depends on your identity and connection to the deceased. Indian River County follows the same rules as the rest of the state.

The public version omits the cause of death. Anyone 18 or older can ask for this type. No family tie is required. The certificate shows the name, date of death, place of death, and other facts. The Social Security number is partially redacted per Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. This version works for genealogy, property transfers, bank account closures, and other purposes where cause of death is not needed.

The confidential version shows cause of death and is restricted for 50 years from the date of death. Eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, parents, adult children and grandchildren, adult siblings, and those with a legal or estate interest. A court order is another path. DH Form 1959 is the affidavit that proves your relationship. If you need this version, the Indian River County DOH staff can explain what documentation you need.

Historical Records and Indian River County Genealogy

The Indian River County DOH holds records from 2009 to the present. For earlier deaths, the state is your source. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, stores records going back to 1877. Call (904) 359-6900. The state fee is $5 for a search including one copy. If the death year is unknown, the state charges $2 per year searched, up to $50. A $10 rush fee applies to pre-2009 records, plus $1 for shipping.

Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes requires death registration within five days. Section 382.008 covers filing, and Section 382.016 gives the Indian River County DOH the power to issue certified copies. These are the same rules every Florida county follows.

For genealogy research, the Florida Memory Project is a free archive with historical documents, photographs, and records. The Indian River County Main Library in Vero Beach has a local history collection that includes newspaper indexes, microfilm, and genealogy databases. Old obituaries from the Press Journal and other Vero Beach publications can sometimes be found there or through online archives.

The Indian River County vital records certificates portal provides a more detailed look at the ordering process.

This section of the DOH site covers all certificate types available in Indian River County.

More Indian River County Record Resources

Several other sources may help with Indian River County death records and obituary lookups. The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics is the central state repository and handles requests the Indian River County office cannot. If a death happened elsewhere in Florida, the state office can usually find it.

Funeral homes throughout Vero Beach, Sebastian, and Fellsmere maintain their own files. They can provide copies of obituaries or help identify which funeral home handled a particular service. The Florida Clerks of Court website can point you to probate and court records in Indian River County. Probate filings sometimes contain copies of death certificates or other death-related documents.

The Indian River County government website links to county departments, public services, and records access points.

The county site connects residents with all Indian River County government services and departments.

Florida's public records law under Chapter 119 gives the public broad access to government records. Death certificates without cause of death qualify as public records. Cause of death stays confidential for 50 years. Falsifying a vital records application is a third-degree felony under Chapter 775 of the Florida Statutes. Use truthful information on all forms submitted in Indian River County.

Note: If you are searching for a death that occurred in Indian River County but the person lived in a neighboring county, the record is filed where the death took place, not where the person lived.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Indian River County, and each has a DOH office that processes vital records independently.