Marion County Death Records

Marion County obituary and death records are handled by the Florida Department of Health office in Ocala. With a population of over 428,000, Marion County sees a high volume of death certificate requests each year. This page covers how to search for, request, and get copies of death records in Marion County through both the local DOH office and the state system in Jacksonville.

Marion County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County operates the local vital records office in Ocala. This is where you go to get death certificates for deaths that happened in Marion County from 2009 to the present. The office sits on SE 32nd Avenue and serves as the main point of contact for anyone who needs a certified copy of a death record. Staff can help you figure out which forms to fill out and what documents to bring along.

Walk-in visits tend to be the fastest way to get a Marion County death certificate. The office is easy to find, with parking out front. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state-issued card. If you are not sure whether a death record is on file at the Marion County office, call ahead and staff can check for you before you drive over. The phone number is (352) 629-0137.

The Marion County certificates page lists the forms and ID you need for each type of vital record request.

This is the main page for the Marion County DOH, where you can find details on vital records services and office hours.

How to Request Marion County Death Records

There are three ways to get a death certificate in Marion County. You can go in person, send a request by mail, or order one online. Each method has a different cost and timeline, so pick the one that fits your situation best.

For in-person requests, visit the Marion County DOH office at 1801 SE 32nd Ave in Ocala. Fill out a death certificate application form. Florida uses form DH727 (or DH727S if you need the Spanish version). You will need to provide the full name of the person who died, the date of death, and the county where the death took place. A date of birth or Social Security number helps narrow the search. The fee is $5 for the first certified copy, which includes the search. Each extra copy ordered at the same time is $4. Most in-person requests are processed same day, though some may take a few business days if the record needs to be verified.

Mail requests should go to the Marion County DOH address listed above. Send a filled-out DH727 form, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for mail orders to be processed and returned.

The Marion County DOH certificates section has details on document requirements and fees.

The certificates page spells out what you need for in-person and mail orders at the Marion County office.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the only vendor Florida authorizes for online vital records. VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies cost $4. You pay by credit or debit card. Standard delivery takes about 5 to 7 business days. Rush shipping is available for an added fee. This is the most convenient route for Marion County residents who can't get to the office in Ocala.

Marion County Death Certificate Types

Florida provides two types of death certificates. Which one you can get depends on who you are and how you plan to use the record. This applies to all Marion County death records requests.

A death certificate without cause of death is a public record. Anyone age 18 or older can get one. You do not have to prove a family connection or show a specific reason for the request. These copies list 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 rule keeps SSNs confidential on all public copies.

A death certificate with cause of death is confidential for 50 years. Only certain people can request it. Eligible requesters include a surviving spouse, parent, adult child, adult grandchild, adult sibling, or someone with an estate or insurance interest. A court order can also grant access. You may need to complete DH Form 1959, which is an affidavit proving your relationship or legal right to the cause of death information. The Marion County DOH staff can help you figure out whether you qualify.

Fees for Marion County Death Records

The fee for a death certificate at the Marion County DOH office is $5 for the first copy, which includes the search fee. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $4. These rates apply to in-person and mail requests made directly to the Marion County office.

If you contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville instead, the same fee structure applies. The state charges $5 for the search and first copy, $4 for additional copies, and adds a $1 shipping fee per order. For pre-2009 records, there is a $10 rush fee if you need faster processing. If you do not know the exact year of death, the state may charge $2 per year searched up to $50.

VitalChek orders carry higher fees. The first copy is $15, plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies are $4 each. This is the price of convenience for Marion County residents who want to order from home.

Historical Records and Genealogy in Marion County

The Marion County DOH office keeps death records from 2009 to the present. For anything older, you need to go through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. The state has death records going back to 1877. Contact the Bureau at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, or call (904) 359-6900. You can also email VitalStats@FLHealth.gov for questions about older Marion County death records.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, death certificates must be filed within five days and submitted electronically. Section 382.008 covers filing requirements. Section 382.016 gives local registrars, including the Marion County DOH, the authority to issue certified copies. These laws apply to every county in the state, so the rules are the same whether you are in Marion County or anywhere else in Florida.

The Florida Memory Project is a free resource from the State Library and Archives of Florida. It holds historical documents, photos, and records useful for genealogy work. The Marion County Public Library System in Ocala also has local history and genealogy collections that can help trace death records and obituaries from past decades. The Florida Clerks of Court website is another option for finding probate records that may contain death-related information for early Marion County residents.

The Marion County vital records page below shows the certificates services section of the local health department site.

The Marion County DOH certificates section provides forms and instructions for ordering death records.

Other Marion County Record Sources

Besides the DOH office, there are other places to look for death-related records in Marion County. The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics is the central state office for all death records. It handles orders for certificates the Marion County office does not have on file, especially pre-2009 records.

Funeral homes in Marion County keep their own records and often have copies of obituaries or death notices they helped put together. The Ocala Star-Banner and other local papers publish obituaries that can be a good starting point if you are trying to find information about a death in the area. Libraries in Ocala and around Marion County maintain newspaper archives that go back many years, either on microfilm or through digital databases.

Florida's public records law, sometimes called the Sunshine Law, is spelled out in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. It gives the public broad access to government records. However, cause of death stays confidential for 50 years, and Social Security numbers are always blacked out. Providing false info on a vital records application is a felony under Florida law. Always fill out forms with accurate information and bring proper ID when requesting Marion County death records.

Nearby Counties

If you need death records from a neighboring area, these counties border Marion County and each has its own DOH vital records office.