Leon County Obituary Records

Leon County obituary and death records are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Tallahassee. As the home of the state capital, Leon County has access to both local vital records services and proximity to state-level agencies, which can make the records process a bit more straightforward for residents needing older or statewide records.

Leon County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Leon County operates its vital records office from Municipal Way in Tallahassee. This office issues death certificates for deaths that happened in Leon County from 2009 to the present. Tallahassee is the only major city in the county, so this single office handles requests for the entire area. Walk-in visits are accepted during regular business hours.

The office is on Municipal Way, which is in the southwest part of Tallahassee near the intersection of Orange Avenue and Jackson Bluff Road. Parking is available on site. With a population of about 300,000, Leon County sees moderate traffic at its vital records window. You can call ahead to check wait times and confirm that a specific death record is in their system.

The Leon County certificates page has information about requesting death certificates and other vital records.

The Leon County DOH website connects residents with vital records services in the Tallahassee area.

How to Get Death Records in Leon County

There are three ways to get a death certificate in Leon County. Your choice comes down to convenience and how fast you need the document.

In-person requests are handled at the Leon County DOH office at 2965 Municipal Way in Tallahassee. Bring a valid photo ID and complete a death certificate application. You will need the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and where the death took place. Having the date of birth and Social Security number helps speed the search. The fee is $5 for the first certified copy, including the search. Each additional copy of the same record costs $4. Most in-person requests get processed on the spot.

Mail orders go to the same address. Include a completed application, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders take 2 to 3 weeks on average. Leon County's office processes mail requests in the order they arrive.

The Leon County certificates section has full details on ordering requirements.

The certificates page lists forms, fees, and instructions for each ordering method.

Online orders use VitalChek, the only vendor authorized by Florida for online vital records. VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies run $4 each. You pay by credit or debit card. Orders typically arrive in 5 to 7 business days, with rush shipping options available.

Leon County Death Certificate Types

Florida issues two kinds of death certificates. Which one you can get in Leon County depends on your relationship to the deceased and why you need the document.

A death certificate without cause of death is open to the public. Anyone 18 or older can request one. No family relationship is needed. The certificate still shows the person's name, date of death, place of death, and other key details. The first five digits of the Social Security number are redacted per Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes, which classifies SSNs as confidential on public copies.

A death certificate with cause of death is confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only eligible individuals may request this version. That means the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, adult grandchildren, adult siblings, anyone with a direct estate interest shown in a will or insurance policy, or someone with a valid court order. DH Form 1959 may be required. This affidavit proves your eligibility to receive cause of death information.

Both versions cost the same at the Leon County DOH office. The fee does not change based on which type you request.

Leon County Death Record Fees

The fee at the Leon County DOH office is $5 for the first certified copy, which covers the search. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $4. These fees apply to in-person and mail orders through the local office.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville charges the same base rate. If the year of death is not known, they charge $2 for each year searched, up to $50. Pre-2009 records can be expedited with a $10 rush fee. Shipping from the state office is $1 per order. Leon County residents may find it easier to go through the local office for recent deaths, since the state office is in Jacksonville.

VitalChek is the most expensive option. The first copy is $15 plus a $7 processing fee. Additional copies cost $4 each. Credit and debit card are the only accepted payment methods through VitalChek. Despite the higher cost, it is the most convenient route for people who cannot visit or mail the Leon County office.

Historical Records and Leon County Genealogy

The Leon County DOH keeps death records from 2009 to the present. Older records are held by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Call (904) 359-6900 for information. The state has death records going back to 1877.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, death certificates must be filed within five days. Section 382.008 outlines the filing rules. Section 382.016 authorizes local registrars like the Leon County DOH to issue certified copies. These laws govern the process statewide.

Tallahassee's role as the state capital gives Leon County residents some unique advantages for genealogy work. The Florida Memory Project is headquartered in Tallahassee and offers free access to historical documents, photographs, and state archives. The State Library and Archives of Florida is also located in the city, making in-person research possible for Leon County residents. The Florida Clerks of Court website links to probate records that may contain death-related information.

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

The Leon County government portal connects residents with departments across the county.

Other Leon County Death Record Sources

The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics is the statewide repository for death records. This office handles requests for certificates the Leon County DOH does not keep, especially pre-2009 records.

Florida's Sunshine Law, codified in Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes, provides broad public access to government records. Death certificates without cause of death are open to anyone who asks. Cause of death information stays sealed for 50 years, and SSNs are always blacked out on public copies.

Local funeral homes in the Tallahassee area keep their own files and may have copies of obituaries or death notices they prepared. The Tallahassee Democrat newspaper publishes obituaries regularly, and the Leon County Public Library system maintains newspaper archives. Providing false information on a vital records application is a third-degree felony under Florida law. Always use truthful details and valid ID when requesting Leon County death records.

The Leon County vital records certificates section has full details.

The certificates section covers all the steps for getting death records in Leon County.

Cities in Leon County

Tallahassee is the county seat and the only major city in Leon County. Death records for Tallahassee residents go through the Leon County DOH office.

Nearby Counties

Leon County sits in the Florida panhandle. These neighboring counties each have their own DOH vital records office for death certificates.