Find Madison County Death Records

Madison County obituary and death records are processed through the Florida Department of Health office in the city of Madison. Located along Interstate 10 in north Florida, Madison County is a rural area with a population just over 18,000. The DOH office in Madison handles all death certificate requests for deaths registered in the county from 2009 forward.

Madison County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Madison County operates from Third Street in the city of Madison. This office issues death certificates for any death registered in Madison County from 2009 to the present. The staff handles walk-in visits during normal business hours. Since the county is relatively small, the office rarely has long wait times. Most visitors can get in and out fairly quickly.

The Madison DOH office is on Third Street, close to the center of the city of Madison. The area is easy to get to from US 90 or I-10. Free parking is available on site. Call ahead if you want to check whether a specific death record is in their system. The staff can look it up and save you a trip if the record is not there.

The Madison County DOH website lists the services offered at the local health department.

The Madison County DOH main page gives access to health department services, including the vital records office.

How to Get Death Records in Madison County

Madison County residents and others needing death certificates have three ways to order them. The best option depends on your location and how fast you need the record.

In-person requests are the fastest option. Visit the Madison County DOH at 218 SW Third St. in Madison. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out a death certificate application form. You will need the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the city or county where the death took place. The date of birth and Social Security number are helpful but not required. The fee is $5 for the first certified copy, which includes the search. Each additional copy of the same record costs $4. Staff typically processes requests the same day. In a small office like this, it can be done in a matter of minutes.

Mail orders go to the same address. 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 requests take approximately 2 to 3 weeks to process and return.

Online orders are placed through VitalChek, Florida's only authorized online vendor for vital records. VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies are $4 each. Payment is by credit or debit card. Orders normally arrive in 5 to 7 business days by standard mail. Rush shipping is available for an extra charge.

Madison County Death Certificate Types

Florida produces two kinds of death certificates. Which type you can get from the Madison County DOH depends on who you are and why you want the record.

The version without cause of death is a public record. Anyone 18 or older can request one. You do not need to be related to the deceased. This copy still shows the name, date of death, place of death, and other basic information. The first five digits of the Social Security number get blacked out. This is required by Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes, which makes SSNs confidential on all public copies of vital records.

The version with cause of death is confidential for 50 years after the date of death. Only eligible requesters can access it. The list includes the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, adult grandchildren, adult siblings, anyone named in a will or insurance policy with a direct estate interest, or a person with a court order. DH Form 1959 may be needed. This affidavit proves your eligibility to receive cause of death details.

Both types cost the same fee at the Madison County DOH office. The price does not change based on which version you need.

Fees for Madison County Death Records

The standard fee at the Madison County DOH is $5 for the first certified copy of a death certificate. That covers the search and one copy. Each additional copy of the same record is $4 when ordered at the same time. These fees apply to in-person and mail orders at the local office.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville charges the same base rate. If you do not know the exact year of death, the state charges $2 per additional year searched, up to $50. Records from before 2009 cost an extra $10 for rush processing. Shipping from the state office is $1 per order.

VitalChek is the priciest option. The first copy runs $15 plus a $7 processing fee. Additional copies are $4 each. VitalChek only accepts credit and debit cards. Despite the higher cost, some people prefer VitalChek because they can order from home without visiting or mailing the Madison County office.

Historical Madison County Death Records

The Madison County DOH keeps death records from 2009 forward. Older records are held by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. You can reach them at (904) 359-6900. The state has death records dating back to 1877.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, death certificates must be filed within five days of a death. Section 382.008 covers the filing requirements. Section 382.016 authorizes local registrars like the Madison County DOH to issue certified copies. These laws apply in every Florida county.

For genealogy research in Madison County, the Florida Memory Project is a free tool for accessing historical documents and photographs. Madison County has been around since 1827, so there is quite a bit of history to dig through. The Florida Clerks of Court website connects you to probate records and other court files. Local churches and cemeteries in Madison County are another good place to look for older death-related records.

The Madison County government website provides public records access and links to county departments.

The Madison County government portal links residents to services and departments across the county.

Other Madison County Record Sources

The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics serves as the main statewide repository for death records. If the Madison County DOH cannot help with a specific request, the state bureau is the backup. They hold all pre-2009 records and can search across the full state database.

Florida's public records law, found in Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes, gives the public wide access to government records. Death certificates without cause of death are open to anyone who requests them. Cause of death stays confidential for 50 years. Social Security numbers are always redacted on public copies. This law, known as the Sunshine Law, covers records held by all state, county, and city agencies in Florida.

Local funeral homes in Madison County keep their own files and may have copies of obituaries or death notices. The Madison Enterprise-Recorder newspaper publishes obituaries for the area. Providing false information on a vital records application is a third-degree felony. Always bring valid identification and use truthful details when requesting death records from the Madison County DOH office.

Nearby Counties

Madison County borders several counties in north Florida. Each has its own DOH vital records office where you can request death certificates.