Okaloosa County Death Record Search

Okaloosa County obituary and death records are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Fort Walton Beach. With a population of about 220,000 and a significant military presence from nearby Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field, Okaloosa County handles a steady flow of death certificate requests. This page covers all the ways to find and get death records in Okaloosa County.

Okaloosa County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County has its vital records office in Fort Walton Beach, not at the county seat of Crestview. This is where most people go to get death certificates for deaths registered in Okaloosa County from 2009 to the present. The office processes birth and marriage certificate requests too, but death records are among the most common requests they see. Walk-in service is the fastest option for those in the area.

The office is on Hospital Drive NE in Fort Walton Beach. Parking is available on site. If you live in Crestview or the northern part of Okaloosa County, the drive to Fort Walton Beach takes about 30 minutes. You can call (850) 833-9240 before your visit to check if a specific death record is on file. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver's license, passport, or military ID. Military IDs are especially common in Okaloosa County given the nearby bases.

The Okaloosa County DOH website links to all health department services in the county.

The Okaloosa County DOH homepage provides access to vital records services and health department contact details.

How to Get Death Records in Okaloosa County

You can request an Okaloosa County death certificate in person, by mail, or online. Each method works a bit differently and costs a different amount. Pick the one that makes sense for your situation.

For in-person requests, visit the Okaloosa County DOH at 221 Hospital Dr NE in Fort Walton Beach. Fill out form DH727 (DH727S in Spanish). You need the full name of the deceased, date of death, and county of death. A date of birth or Social Security number makes the search go faster. The fee is $5 for the first certified copy, which includes the search. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $4. Most in-person orders are done the same day, though some may take a few business days if the record needs to be pulled from the state system.

Mail orders go to the Fort Walton Beach office address. Include a completed DH727 form, a copy of your photo ID, a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders take about 2 to 3 weeks to process and return.

The Okaloosa County certificates page explains what forms and documents you need to submit.

This section of the Okaloosa County DOH site lists fees, forms, and requirements for death certificate requests.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the state's sole authorized online vendor. VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies are $4 each. Pay by credit or debit card. Standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days, and rush shipping costs more. This is the best option for Okaloosa County residents who cannot make it to the Fort Walton Beach office or who are stationed at one of the military bases and prefer to handle things online.

Okaloosa County Death Certificate Types

Florida issues two types of death certificates. The same rules apply in Okaloosa County as in every other county in the state.

A death certificate without cause of death is a public record. Anyone 18 or older can request it without proving a family connection. These copies show the name, date of death, place of death, and other basic facts. Social Security numbers are partially blacked out per Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. This protects SSNs on all public vital records in the state.

A death certificate with cause of death is confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only eligible individuals can get this version. The list includes a surviving spouse, parent, adult child, adult grandchild, adult sibling, or someone with an estate or insurance interest. A court order also qualifies. You may need DH Form 1959, an affidavit proving your relationship or legal standing. Staff at the Okaloosa County DOH can help you figure out if you are eligible.

Fees for Okaloosa County Death Records

The Okaloosa County DOH charges $5 for the first certified copy of a death certificate. That includes the search fee. Each additional copy at the same time is $4. These fees cover in-person and mail requests at the Fort Walton Beach office.

Through the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, the fee is also $5 for the search and first copy, $4 for extras, and $1 for shipping. Pre-2009 records can be expedited for a $10 rush fee. If you do not know the year of death, the state charges $2 per year searched up to $50 total.

VitalChek costs more. The first certificate is $15 plus $7 in processing. Additional copies run $4 each. You get the convenience of ordering Okaloosa County death records from any device with internet access, but you pay a premium for it.

Historical Records and Genealogy in Okaloosa County

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

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, death certificates must be filed within five days of the death and submitted electronically. Section 382.008 explains the filing rules. Section 382.016 gives local registrars like the Okaloosa County DOH the authority to issue certified copies. These laws are the same statewide.

For genealogy research in Okaloosa County, the Florida Memory Project is a free resource from the State Library and Archives. It includes historical records, photos, and documents. The Okaloosa County Public Library system has local history materials and newspaper archives. The Northwest Florida Daily News and Crestview News Bulletin publish obituaries that can be good starting points. The Florida Clerks of Court website can help you track down probate records with death-related details for earlier Okaloosa County residents.

The Okaloosa County DOH certificates section offers more detail on vital records services.

The certificates page provides forms and ordering instructions for Okaloosa County death records.

Other Okaloosa County Record Sources

Several resources beyond the DOH can help with death-related records in Okaloosa County. The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics is the central state office for all death records. It handles any request the Okaloosa County office cannot fill, especially for records before 2009.

Funeral homes in Okaloosa County keep their own files and may have copies of obituaries or death notices they helped prepare. With the military presence in the area, some deaths may also be recorded through federal channels. The Department of Defense maintains its own records for active-duty service members. For civilian deaths in Okaloosa County, the state and county DOH are your main sources.

Florida's public records law, found in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, gives the public broad access to government records. Cause of death stays confidential for 50 years. SSNs are always redacted. Providing false information on a vital records application is a felony under Florida law. Always use accurate information and bring valid ID when making Okaloosa County death record requests.

Nearby Counties

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