Search Martin County Death Records

Martin County obituary and death records are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Stuart. Located along the Treasure Coast, Martin County has a population of about 165,000. This page explains how to find, order, and receive death certificates from the Martin County DOH office and through the state system.

Martin County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Martin County runs the vital records office out of Stuart. This office handles death certificates for deaths that occurred in Martin County from 2009 forward. It also processes birth and marriage certificate requests. The staff can help you fill out the right forms and check whether a specific record is in the system. Most people visit in person, but mail and online orders are also an option.

The Martin County DOH office is on SE Willoughby Boulevard in Stuart. Parking is available on site. If you want to confirm that a Martin County death record is on file before making the trip, call (772) 221-4000 and ask the vital records department. They can usually check while you are on the phone. Bring a valid photo ID to the office. A driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID card all work.

The Martin County health department site is your starting point for all vital records services in the county.

This is the main page for the Martin County DOH, which links to vital records services and office info.

How to Get Death Records in Martin County

You can request a Martin County death certificate three ways: in person, by mail, or online. Each method has its own cost and processing time. The choice comes down to how fast you need the record and whether you can make it to the office in Stuart.

In-person requests are the fastest. Go to the Martin County DOH at 3441 SE Willoughby Blvd in Stuart. Fill out form DH727, which is the state's standard death certificate application. You can also use DH727S if you prefer Spanish. Provide the full name of the deceased, date of death, and county of death. If you have the date of birth or Social Security number, include those too. They help the staff find the right record faster. The fee is $5 for the first certified copy, which includes the search. Additional copies are $4 each. Same-day processing is common for in-person visits, though some requests may take a few business days.

For mail orders, send a completed DH727 form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order to the Martin County DOH address. Include a stamped return envelope. Mail orders take about 2 to 3 weeks.

The Martin County certificates section provides more detail on ordering requirements.

The certificates page covers forms, fees, and identification requirements for Martin County vital records.

Online orders are placed through VitalChek, which is the only online vendor authorized by the state. VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate plus a $7 processing fee. Each extra copy is $4. You pay with a credit or debit card. Standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days, but you can pay more for rush shipping if needed.

Martin County Death Certificate Types

Florida issues two versions of death certificates. The type you can get in Martin County depends on your relationship to the deceased and your reason for the request.

A death certificate without cause of death is public. Any person 18 or older can request one. No family ties are needed. These records show the name, date of death, place of death, and other basic facts. Social Security numbers are partially redacted per Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes, which makes SSNs confidential on public records.

A death certificate with cause of death is confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only certain people can request this version. The list includes a surviving spouse, parent, child 18 or older, grandchild 18 or older, sibling 18 or older, or someone with a direct estate or insurance interest. A court order also works. You may need to fill out DH Form 1959, an affidavit that proves your relationship or legal standing. The Martin County DOH staff can walk you through the process and help you figure out which type you are eligible to receive.

Fees for Martin County Death Records

The cost of a death certificate at the Martin County DOH office is $5 for the first copy, which covers the search fee. Additional copies are $4 each when ordered at the same time. These fees apply to both in-person and mail requests.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville charges the same base rates. The search fee is $5 and includes one copy. Extra copies are $4 each. There is a $1 shipping charge per order. If you need a pre-2009 record expedited, the state adds a $10 rush fee. When the exact year of death is not known, the state charges $2 per year searched, up to a $50 cap.

VitalChek charges more. The first certificate costs $15 plus $7 in processing fees. Each additional copy runs $4. The higher cost reflects the convenience of ordering Martin County death records from home without having to visit the office or mail in paperwork.

Historical Death Records and Martin County Genealogy

The Martin County DOH office has death records from 2009 to the present. For older records, you need to reach out to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The state has death records going back to 1877. Call (904) 359-6900 or email VitalStats@FLHealth.gov if you have questions about pre-2009 Martin County death records.

Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes lays out the rules for death certificate filing and issuance. Section 382.008 requires that death certificates be filed within five days of the death. Section 382.016 authorizes local registrars, including the Martin County DOH, to produce certified copies. These rules apply across the whole state.

For genealogy work in Martin County, the Florida Memory Project provides free access to historical documents, photos, and other records. The Martin County Library System has local history collections and access to newspaper archives that include obituaries. The Florida Clerks of Court site can help you find probate records that sometimes contain death-related information, especially for older Martin County residents.

The Martin County government website connects residents with county services and public records.

The Martin County site links to departments and services across the county.

Other Martin County Record Sources

Beyond the DOH, several other resources can help with death-related records in Martin County. The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics serves as the central repository for all state death records. It handles requests the Martin County office cannot fill, particularly anything before 2009.

Funeral homes in Martin County keep their own files and may have copies of obituaries they helped write. Local papers like the Stuart News publish obituaries that can serve as a starting point for research. The Martin County Library in Stuart has newspaper archives and genealogy resources available to the public. Under Florida's Sunshine Law, most government records are open to the public. Cause of death remains confidential for 50 years, and Social Security numbers are always redacted.

Providing false information on a vital records application is a third-degree felony under Florida law. Always use accurate information and bring proper identification when requesting death records in Martin County.

The Martin County certificates page below provides additional details on vital records services.

The certificates section helps Martin County residents find the right forms and understand the process.

Nearby Counties

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