Search Levy County Death Records

Levy County obituary and death records are handled by the Florida Department of Health office in Bronson. This rural county along Florida's Gulf coast processes death certificate requests for communities including Williston, Chiefland, Cedar Key, and the surrounding areas. The county DOH office follows the same statewide procedures that apply across all of Florida.

Levy County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Levy County handles vital records from its office on Main Street in Bronson. This office processes death certificate requests for any death registered in Levy County from 2009 to the present. Staff can assist with walk-in requests during regular business hours. The office is small but serves the entire county, and wait times tend to be short since the population is under 50,000.

The Bronson office sits right on Main Street, near the center of town. Free parking is available. Bronson is a small town, so finding the office is straightforward. Call ahead if you want to make sure a specific death record is on file. The staff can look it up and let you know before you drive over.

The Levy County DOH website provides contact details and service information for the local health department.

The Levy County DOH main page lists services available at the Bronson office, including vital records.

How to Get Levy County Death Records

There are three ways to get a death certificate in Levy County. The right option depends on where you live and how quickly you need the record.

In-person visits are the fastest method. Go to the Levy County DOH office at 66 W. Main St. in Bronson. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out an application form for a death certificate. You will need the full name of the person who died, the date of death, and the county or city where the death took place. The date of birth and Social Security number help narrow the search. The fee is $5 for the first certified copy, which includes the search. Each additional copy of the same record costs $4. Most requests are handled the same day you visit.

Mail orders work well for people who cannot visit in person. Send a completed application, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail everything to 66 W. Main St., Bronson, FL 32621. Expect 2 to 3 weeks for processing and return.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the sole vendor Florida authorizes for online vital records. VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Additional copies are $4 each. Payment is by credit or debit card. Orders arrive in about 5 to 7 business days, though rush shipping is available for more money.

Levy County Death Certificate Types

Florida has two types of death certificates. The type you can get in Levy County depends on who you are and your purpose for requesting it.

The version without cause of death is a public record. Any person 18 or older can request one. No family tie is needed. This copy shows the name of the deceased, the date and place of death, and other basic facts. The first five digits of the Social Security number get blacked out under Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. That law keeps SSNs confidential on all public copies of vital records in the state.

The version with cause of death is confidential for 50 years after the date of death. Only certain people can access it. Eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, adult grandchildren, adult siblings, anyone named in a will or insurance policy with a proven estate interest, or someone holding a court order. You may need to complete DH Form 1959, an affidavit of relationship. The Levy County DOH office has this form on hand.

Both types cost the same. The distinction is about eligibility, not price.

Fees for Levy County Death Records

The state fee through the Levy County DOH office is $5 for the first certified copy. That price covers the search and one certificate. Each extra copy of the same record costs $4 when ordered at the same time. These rates apply to both in-person and mail orders.

The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville uses the same base fee. If you don't know the exact year of death, they charge $2 per year searched, up to a $50 maximum. Records from before 2009 can be rushed for a $10 surcharge. There is a $1 shipping charge per order from the state office.

VitalChek fees run higher. The first copy is $15 plus $7 in processing charges. Each extra copy is $4. This is the most expensive path but the easiest if you cannot get to the Levy County office or do not want to deal with mail. VitalChek takes only credit and debit cards.

Historical Levy County Death Records

The Levy County DOH office holds death records from 2009 forward. For deaths before 2009, you need to contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, or call (904) 359-6900. The state bureau has death records going back to 1877.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, every death in Florida requires a certificate filed within five days. Section 382.008 sets out the filing rules, and Section 382.016 gives local registrars like the Levy County DOH authority to issue certified copies. These laws apply across the state.

For genealogy research in Levy County, the Florida Memory Project is a free state resource with historical documents and photographs. The Florida Clerks of Court website links to probate records and other county-level documents that can have death-related information. Local funeral homes in Levy County may also keep old records, especially for long-time families in the area. Cemetery records in places like Williston and Chiefland can provide additional clues for researchers.

The Levy County government website has links to public records and county services.

The Levy County government site connects residents with departments and public records access.

Other Levy County Record Sources

The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics is the main state repository for all death records. If the Levy County DOH cannot help with a request, the state bureau is the next option. They hold records from before 2009 and can search across the entire state system.

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 are available to anyone. Cause of death stays sealed for 50 years, and Social Security numbers are always redacted. This is sometimes called the Sunshine Law, and it applies to records held by state, county, and city agencies throughout Florida.

Providing false information on a vital records application is a third-degree felony under Chapter 775 of the Florida Statutes. Always bring valid identification and fill out forms with accurate details when making a request at the Levy County DOH office. Staff will verify your identity before handing over any death records.

Nearby Counties

Levy County borders several counties in north-central Florida. Each one has its own DOH vital records office for death certificate requests.