Find Lee County Death Records

Lee County obituary and death records are processed through the Florida Department of Health office in North Fort Myers. As one of the most populated counties in southwest Florida, with over 860,000 residents, the Lee County DOH vital records office handles a high volume of death certificate requests. Florida certificates are issued through the Bureau of Vital Statistics at the Department of Health, and orders may be placed online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person.

Lee County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County runs its vital records office from Pondella Road in North Fort Myers. Death certificates are available for all deaths in the State of Florida from 2009 to present. The office serves all Lee County communities including Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, Estero, and Sanibel Island. This is a busy office that handles thousands of requests each year, so planning your visit is worth the effort.

The Lee County DOH office sits on Pondella Road in North Fort Myers, just off US 41. The location has on-site parking. Because Lee County is so large, wait times can be longer during peak hours, especially early in the week. Calling ahead is smart. The staff can confirm whether a death record is on file before you make the drive out, which saves time if you live in Cape Coral or the southern end of the county.

The Lee County DOH website provides general information about the health department and its services.

The Lee County DOH main page gives residents access to health department services, including vital records ordering.

How to Get Lee County Death Records

Lee County offers three ways to obtain death certificates. Each comes with its own cost and turnaround time. The right method depends on your location and urgency.

In person at the DOH-Lee Vital Statistics office, the fee is $14 for the first certified copy and $10 for each additional certified copy of the same record. Payment methods include cash, credit card, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. That range of payment options makes in-person visits pretty easy. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out a death certificate application form. You will need the full legal name of the person who died, the date of death, and where the death took place. Having the date of birth or Social Security number speeds up the search. Most in-person requests are processed the same day.

For mail orders, the fee is $14 for the first certified copy, with an optional $10 rush fee. Send a completed application, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health to 83 Pondella Rd, North Fort Myers, FL 33903. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders from the Lee County office take about 2 to 3 weeks.

The Lee County certificates page provides details on ordering methods and required forms.

The certificates page walks you through each ordering method and lists current fees for Lee County death records.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the sole authorized online vendor for Florida vital records. The online fee is $14 for the first copy plus VitalChek's processing fees. You pay with a credit or debit card. Most VitalChek orders arrive in 5 to 7 business days by standard mail. Rush shipping is available for an added charge.

Lee County Death Certificate Types

Florida issues two types of death certificates. Which type you can get in Lee County depends on who you are and why you need the record.

The version without cause of death is a public record. Any person age 18 or older can request one. You do not need to show a family tie. This copy still lists the name, date of death, place of death, and other basic details. The first five digits of the Social Security number are blacked out under Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. This law makes SSNs confidential on all public vital records copies.

The version with cause of death is confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only specific individuals can request it. The eligible list includes the surviving spouse, parents, adult children or grandchildren, adult siblings, anyone named as a beneficiary in a will or insurance policy, or a person holding a court order. You may need to complete DH Form 1959, which is an affidavit proving your relationship to the deceased. The Lee County DOH office can provide this form.

Both types cost $14 at the Lee County office. The fee is the same regardless of which version you request.

Fees for Lee County Death Records

Lee County charges $14 for the first certified copy of a death certificate. Each additional copy of the same record costs $10 when ordered at the same time. These in-person fees are higher than the base state rate, which reflects the local office's pricing structure. The office accepts cash, credit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville uses a different fee scale. Their charge is $5 for the search and first copy, $4 for each extra copy, $10 for rush processing of pre-2009 records, $2 for each year searched when the exact year is unknown (up to $50), and $1 for shipping. This is less expensive than the Lee County local rate, though it takes longer since you are dealing with the state office in Jacksonville.

VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Additional copies are $4 each. This is the quickest option if you cannot visit the Lee County DOH office, but the extra fees add up. VitalChek only takes credit and debit card payments.

Confirm the latest fees with the Lee County DOH before you send payment. Rates do change from time to time.

Historical Death Records in Lee County

The Lee County DOH office holds death records from 2009 forward. For older records, contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, or call (904) 359-6900. The state bureau keeps death records going all the way back to 1877.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, every death in Florida must have a certificate filed within five days. Section 382.008 covers filing rules. Section 382.016 gives local registrars like the Lee County DOH the authority to produce certified copies. These laws set the standard for death record handling throughout the state.

The Florida Memory Project offers free access to historical documents and photographs. This is a good tool for genealogy work related to Lee County families. The Florida Clerks of Court website connects you with probate records and other court files that sometimes reference death-related information.

Lee County's rapid growth over the past few decades means a lot of people have moved here from other states. If the person you are looking for died in Lee County but was born somewhere else, you may need to contact the other state's vital records office for birth certificate information as part of your research.

Other Lee County Record Sources

The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics acts as the central state hub for death records. If the Lee County office cannot fulfill your request, the state bureau is the backup. They handle all pre-2009 records and can search across the entire state.

The Lee County government website provides access to public records and county services.

The Lee County government portal links residents to departments across the county, including the Clerk of Court and other record-holding offices.

Florida's public records law in Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes gives the public broad access to government records. Death certificates without cause of death fall under this law. Cause of death stays sealed for 50 years, and SSNs are always redacted. Providing false information on a vital records application is a third-degree felony. Always bring valid identification and use accurate details when making your request in Lee County.

Cities in Lee County

Lee County is home to several large cities. Death records for residents of these cities are all processed through the Lee County DOH office in North Fort Myers.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lee County in southwest Florida. Each has its own DOH vital records office for death certificate requests.