Monroe County Obituary Records

Monroe County obituary and death records are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Key West. Spanning the Florida Keys from Key Largo to Key West, Monroe County has a unique geography that makes in-person visits to the DOH office more difficult for some residents. This page covers all the ways to search for and request death records in Monroe County, including in-person, mail, and online options.

Monroe County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County has its vital records office on Simonton Street in Key West. This is the only DOH vital records location in Monroe County. Staff here handle death certificates for deaths that happened in the county from 2009 to the present. The office also processes birth and marriage certificate requests.

Because the office is in Key West, residents living in the Upper or Middle Keys may find it more practical to order by mail or online rather than drive down to Key West. The trip from Key Largo to Key West is about 100 miles each way, so this is not a quick errand for many Monroe County residents. Call (305) 293-7500 before making the drive to confirm the record you need is available and the office is open.

The Monroe County DOH website is the starting point for vital records services in the county.

The Monroe County DOH homepage provides links to vital records, health services, and office contact information.

How to Get Death Records in Monroe County

Monroe County death certificates can be requested in person, by mail, or online. Given the county's spread-out geography across the Keys, mail and online orders are more popular here than in many other Florida counties.

For in-person requests, go to the Monroe County DOH at 1100 Simonton St in Key West. Fill out form DH727 (or DH727S in Spanish). You need the full name of the deceased, date of death, and the county where the death was registered. A date of birth and Social Security number help narrow the search. Bring a valid photo ID. The fee is $5 for the first certified copy, including the search fee. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $4 each. Same-day processing is typical for walk-in visits.

Mail orders go to the Key West office address. Include a completed DH727 form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. Mail orders usually take 2 to 3 weeks. For Monroe County residents in the Upper Keys, this is often the easiest option if they do not want to use VitalChek online.

The Monroe County certificates page below covers the details on what you need to submit.

This section of the Monroe County DOH site lists forms, fees, and document requirements for death records.

Online orders go through VitalChek. The cost is $15 for the first certificate plus a $7 processing fee. Each additional copy is $4. Pay by credit or debit card. Standard delivery is 5 to 7 business days. Rush options are available for faster shipping. This is often the best choice for Monroe County residents who live far from the Key West office.

Monroe County Death Certificate Types

Two types of death certificates are available in Monroe County. The version you can get depends on who you are and why you need the record.

A death certificate without cause of death is a public record. Anyone 18 or older can request it. No family relationship is needed. These copies include the name, date of death, place of death, and other basic facts. Social Security numbers are partially redacted under Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes, which keeps SSNs confidential on public vital records.

A death certificate with cause of death is confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only eligible people can request it. That list includes a surviving spouse, parent, adult child, adult grandchild, adult sibling, or someone with a direct estate or insurance interest. A court order works too. You may need DH Form 1959, an affidavit proving your relationship. Monroe County DOH staff can help you figure out if you qualify.

Fees for Monroe County Death Records

A death certificate from the Monroe County DOH costs $5 for the first copy, which includes the search fee. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $4. These rates apply to in-person and mail requests at the Key West office.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville charges the same base rates. The search plus first copy is $5. Extra copies are $4 each. Shipping is $1 per order. Pre-2009 records carry a $10 rush fee if you want them expedited. If the year of death is unknown, the state charges $2 per year searched up to $50 total.

VitalChek online orders cost $15 for the first copy plus $7 in processing. Extra copies are $4 each. The higher price reflects the convenience of ordering Monroe County death records online without visiting the Key West office or mailing anything.

Historical Records and Genealogy in Monroe County

The Monroe County DOH has death records from 2009 forward. Older records must come from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The state has death records dating back to 1877. Call (904) 359-6900 or email VitalStats@FLHealth.gov for help with pre-2009 Monroe County records.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, death certificates in Florida must be filed within five days of the death. Section 382.008 covers filing rules. Section 382.016 authorizes local registrars like the Monroe County DOH to produce certified copies. These laws are the same for every county in the state.

Monroe County has a long and varied history dating back to its founding in 1823. For genealogy research, the Florida Memory Project is a free resource that holds historical documents, photographs, and records. The Monroe County Public Library in Key West has local history archives and obituary collections. The Florida Clerks of Court website can point you to probate and other court records that sometimes contain death-related details for early Monroe County residents.

The Monroe County government website provides access to additional county services.

The county site connects Monroe County residents with government services and public records links.

Other Monroe County Record Sources

Several places beyond the DOH office can help with death-related records in Monroe County. The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics is the central state office for all death records and handles requests the Monroe County office cannot fill.

Funeral homes across the Keys maintain their own files and may have copies of obituaries or death notices they helped prepare. The Key West Citizen and other local papers publish obituaries. Libraries in Key West and Marathon have newspaper archives available to the public. Under Florida's Sunshine Law, most government records are open for inspection. Cause of death remains confidential for 50 years, and Social Security numbers are always redacted on public copies.

Submitting false information on a vital records application is a felony under Florida law. Always use accurate details and bring proper identification when requesting Monroe County death records. The Monroe County certificates section below gives further details on what you need.

The certificates page outlines all vital records services available through the Monroe County DOH in Key West.

Nearby Counties

Monroe County borders only two other counties. Each has its own DOH vital records office for death certificate requests.