Search Jackson County Death Records

Jackson County death records and obituary data are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Marianna. This guide covers how to request death certificates, what the fees look like, and where to turn for historical records and genealogy research tied to Jackson County in the Florida Panhandle.

Jackson County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Jackson County operates from South Lakeland Street in Marianna. This office issues death certificates for deaths registered in Jackson County from 2009 to the present. The Marianna location handles walk-in visits, mail requests, and phone inquiries. Jackson County is one of the larger counties by land area in the Panhandle, and the DOH office in Marianna is the central point for all vital records services.

Marianna sits at the intersection of Interstate 10 and US Highway 231. The DOH office is south of the main downtown area. If you plan to visit, call ahead to check whether the death record you need is on file. The staff can tell you before you make the drive. This is helpful for Jackson County residents in Graceville, Sneads, Campbellton, or other parts of the county that are a good distance from Marianna.

The Jackson County DOH website lists the full range of services available at the Marianna office.

The Jackson County DOH site shows services, contact details, and health department programs for the Marianna area.

How to Get Jackson County Death Certificates

You can request a Jackson County death certificate in person, by mail, or online. Here is how each method works.

In-person visits are the quickest way. Go to the Jackson County DOH at 4979 S. Lakeland St. in Marianna. Bring a valid photo ID and complete a DH727 form (or DH727S in Spanish). The form asks for the full name of the deceased, date of death, and place of death. Dates of birth and Social Security numbers help speed up the search but are not always required. The fee is $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Walk-in orders are typically processed the same day.

Mail orders take more time. Send a completed DH727 form, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Mail to the Lakeland Street address and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Expect delivery in about 2 to 3 weeks. This option suits people who live outside the Marianna area or cannot take time to visit the office.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the only online vendor Florida authorizes for vital records. The cost is $15 for the first copy, plus $7 in processing fees and $4 for each additional copy. Pay by credit or debit card. Standard delivery runs 5 to 7 business days. Rush shipping is available at a higher cost.

Note: Jackson County's DOH does not have a standalone vital records page online, so calling (850) 482-9487 is the best way to confirm current hours and fees.

Jackson County Death Certificate Types

Florida has two types of death certificates. The same rules apply in Jackson County as across the state.

A death certificate without cause of death is a public record. Any adult 18 or older can request it. You do not have to be related to the deceased. The certificate still shows the name, date of death, place of death, and other key facts. The first five digits of the Social Security number are hidden under Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. This type works for many tasks: genealogy, property transactions, closing accounts, and general records research.

A death certificate with cause of death is confidential for 50 years from the death date. The only people who can get this type are the surviving spouse, parents, adult children or grandchildren, adult siblings, and anyone with a direct legal or financial interest in the estate. A court order also works. You will likely need to fill out DH Form 1959, an affidavit that proves your identity and relationship. Jackson County DOH staff can help you with this form if you visit the Marianna office.

Older Death Records and Jackson County Genealogy

Jackson County DOH records start at 2009. For deaths before that year, you need to contact the state. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics is at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Call (904) 359-6900. The state charges $5 for a search and one certified copy. If the year of death is not known, they charge $2 for each year searched, up to $50. Pre-2009 records also carry a $10 rush fee if you need them expedited, and there is a $1 shipping charge per order.

Florida has death records dating back to 1877. Jackson County, being one of the older counties in the state, may have historical records that predate the modern vital records system. For very early records, check church registries, cemetery logs, and court filings. The Jackson County Clerk of Court may have probate records that contain death-related information from the 1800s and early 1900s.

Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes requires that deaths be registered within five days. Section 382.008 details the filing rules, and Section 382.016 authorizes local DOH offices like Jackson County to produce certified copies. These laws apply uniformly across all 67 Florida counties.

For genealogy work, the Florida Memory Project has free access to historical documents, photographs, and archival records. The Jackson County Public Library in Marianna has a local history section that may hold obituary indexes, newspaper archives, and family history materials. The Florida Clerks of Court site can guide you to probate and other Jackson County court records.

The Jackson County government website links to departments and public services across the county.

The Jackson County site offers access to government services and department contacts in Marianna.

Additional Jackson County Record Sources

The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics is the state-level hub for all death records. If the Jackson County DOH cannot find what you need, the state bureau likely can. This is also the office to use if the death happened in Jackson County before 2009 or if you are unsure which county the death was registered in.

Funeral homes in Marianna, Graceville, and surrounding communities keep their own death records and obituary files. They can often provide copies or point you to the right source. Local newspapers like the Jackson County Floridan publish obituaries, and past issues may be available at the public library or through online databases. Some families in Jackson County have been there for many generations, so church records and local historical societies can be surprisingly useful.

Under the Florida Sunshine Law found in Chapter 119, most government records are open to the public. Death certificates that do not include cause of death are public records. Cause of death information is confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Giving false information on a vital records form is a felony under Chapter 775 of Florida Statutes. Always provide accurate details when you request records in Jackson County.

Note: If you are researching a death that occurred near the Alabama or Georgia border, the death may have been registered in one of those states instead of in Jackson County, Florida.

Nearby Counties

If you need death records from a county that borders Jackson, each one has its own DOH vital records office you can contact directly.