Access Jefferson County Death Records

Jefferson County obituary and death records are processed through the Florida Department of Health office in Monticello. This page walks through everything you need to know about getting death certificates here, from the local DOH office details and fees to state-level resources for older records and genealogy research in one of Florida's smallest counties.

Jefferson County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Jefferson County has its office on West Washington Street in Monticello. This small office handles death certificate requests for deaths registered in Jefferson County from 2009 forward. With a population under 16,000, Jefferson County is one of the least populated in the state. That means the DOH office is quiet compared to larger counties, and wait times are generally short. Staff can handle walk-in visits, phone questions, and mail-in orders.

Monticello is a small town between Tallahassee and Madison along Interstate 10. The DOH office sits on the west side of town. Parking is easy. If you are coming from Tallahassee, it is about a 30-minute drive east. The office handles birth, death, and marriage certificates, with death records being a common request.

The Jefferson County DOH website has general health department information and contact details.

The Jefferson County health department portal lists services and ways to reach the Monticello office.

Requesting Jefferson County Death Certificates

There are three ways to get a death certificate in Jefferson County. Each has a different cost and timeline. Choose the one that works best for your situation.

In-person requests are the quickest option. Visit the Jefferson County DOH at 1255 W. Washington St. in Monticello. Bring a valid photo ID. Fill out a DH727 form (DH727S in Spanish). The form needs the full legal name of the person who died, the date of death, and where the death took place in Jefferson County. A date of birth and Social Security number can speed up the search. The fee is $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy. Most walk-in orders are processed right away. The office is small, so there is rarely a long wait.

For mail requests, send a completed DH727 form along with a photocopy of your photo ID and a check or money order made out to the Florida Department of Health. Mail it to the Washington Street address. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders usually take 2 to 3 weeks to get back to you.

You can also order online through VitalChek. This is the only vendor Florida authorizes for online vital records orders. VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Additional copies cost $4 each. Pay by credit or debit card. Delivery takes 5 to 7 business days by standard mail. Rush shipping is available but costs more.

Note: The Jefferson County DOH does not maintain a separate vital records page on its website, so call the office directly at (850) 342-0170 if you have questions about fees or what to bring.

Types of Jefferson County Death Certificates

Florida issues two versions of a death certificate. Jefferson County follows the same rules as the rest of the state on who can get each type.

The public version does not show cause of death. Anyone 18 years or older can get this type. You do not need a family connection. The certificate still lists the name of the deceased, date of death, place of death, and other basic facts. The first five digits of the Social Security number are blacked out per Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. This version is commonly used for genealogy research, settling property matters, and closing financial accounts.

The restricted version includes cause of death and is confidential for 50 years after the date of death. Only close family members and those with a legal or financial interest can request it. That includes the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, adult grandchildren, adult siblings, and people named in a will, trust, or insurance policy. A court order can also grant access. DH Form 1959 is the affidavit used to prove eligibility. The Jefferson County DOH staff can walk you through it.

Historical Death Records in Jefferson County

The Jefferson County DOH stores records from 2009 to the present. For anything older, you need the state. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, has death records going back to 1877. Call (904) 359-6900. The state fee is $5 for a search that includes one copy. If you do not know the year of death, they charge $2 per year searched, with a cap of $50. Pre-2009 records cost an extra $10 for rush service, plus $1 shipping.

Jefferson County is one of Florida's original counties, established in 1827. That long history means there are records from well before the modern vital records system started. For very old death records, you might have to look beyond the state bureau. Church records, plantation records, cemetery logs, and court filings from the Jefferson County Clerk of Court may have information. The county courthouse in Monticello has been the center of government here for nearly two centuries.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, every death must be registered within five days. Section 382.008 details filing rules, and Section 382.016 allows local DOH offices like Jefferson County to issue certified copies. These statutes govern death record management statewide.

The Jefferson County government website provides links to county departments and public services.

The county website connects residents with Jefferson County government services and departments in Monticello.

More Jefferson County Record Sources

Beyond the DOH office, there are other ways to find death records and obituary information in Jefferson County. The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics serves as the central state repository and can handle requests the local office cannot fill. If a death happened in another Florida county, the state bureau is your best bet for finding it.

Funeral homes in Monticello keep their own files and can often provide obituary copies or guide you to the right record. The Monticello News publishes obituaries that may be archived at the Jefferson County Public Library or available through online newspaper databases. In a small county like this, the local funeral home is sometimes the quickest way to track down details about a death.

The Florida Memory Project is a free resource from the State Library and Archives. It has historical records, photos, and documents that are useful for genealogy research. The Florida Clerks of Court website can point you toward probate and court records in Jefferson County. Probate cases from the 1800s and early 1900s may include death-related information that is not in the vital records system.

Florida's public records law in Chapter 119 gives the public access to government records. Death certificates without cause of death are public. Cause of death is restricted for 50 years. Submitting false information on a vital records form is a felony under Chapter 775. Always fill out forms with accurate information when you request records in Jefferson County.

Note: Because Jefferson County borders Leon County (home to Tallahassee), some deaths involving Jefferson County residents may have been registered in Leon County if the death took place at a Tallahassee hospital.

Jefferson County Obituary Research Tips

Searching for obituary information in Jefferson County takes a slightly different approach than in larger Florida counties. The county is small and rural, so some of the bigger online databases may not have full coverage. Start with the local DOH office for certified death records. If you need an obituary rather than a certificate, the Monticello News is the primary local paper. Back issues may be on file at the Jefferson County Public Library.

The Jefferson County Historical Association is another potential source. They keep records, photographs, and documents tied to the county's past. For deaths that happened decades ago, this group may have resources that are not available through official channels. Cemetery records from local burial sites can also confirm death dates and family connections. Several cemeteries in Jefferson County date back to the 1800s, and their records are sometimes maintained by local churches or volunteer groups.

Nearby Counties

If you need death records from a neighboring county, these DOH offices each handle their own vital records independently.