Search Okeechobee County Death Records

Okeechobee County obituary and death records are handled by the Florida Department of Health office in the city of Okeechobee. This rural county in south-central Florida has a population of about 42,000 and sits on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee. This guide walks through every way to find, request, and get copies of death certificates in Okeechobee County, whether through the local DOH office or the state system.

Okeechobee County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County runs the vital records office out of the city of Okeechobee. This is the sole location in the county where you can get death certificates for deaths that were registered in Okeechobee County from 2009 forward. The office also handles birth and marriage certificate requests. As a smaller county, the wait times are usually shorter than what you would find in more populated areas of the state.

The office is on NW 9th Avenue in Okeechobee. Parking is free and available right at the building. If you want to confirm a death record is on file before making the trip, call (863) 462-5800. Staff can check the system while you are on the phone. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state-issued card when you visit. The relatively small size of Okeechobee County means the office is usually not crowded, and most walk-in requests get processed quickly.

The Okeechobee County DOH website is the main portal for health department services in the county.

The Okeechobee County DOH homepage links to vital records and other public health services in the county.

How to Request Okeechobee County Death Records

Three methods are available for getting a death certificate in Okeechobee County. You can visit in person, mail a request, or order online. Each has its own timeline and cost.

In-person requests are the fastest option. Go to the Okeechobee County DOH at 1728 NW 9th Ave in Okeechobee. Fill out form DH727, the state's standard death certificate application. A Spanish version, DH727S, is also available. You need the full name of the person who died, the date of death, and the county of death. Date of birth and Social Security number help the staff find the right record. The fee is $5 for the first certified copy, including the search. Extra copies ordered at the same time cost $4 each. Most walk-in requests are processed the same day at the Okeechobee County office.

Mail orders should be sent to the NW 9th Ave address. Include a filled-out DH727 form, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a check or money order made out to the Florida Department of Health. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope so they can mail the certificate back to you. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for mail orders to be processed.

Online orders are placed through VitalChek, which is the only online vendor the state of Florida authorizes. The cost is $15 for the first certificate plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies are $4 each. You pay by credit or debit card. Standard delivery is 5 to 7 business days. Rush shipping costs more but gets your Okeechobee County death certificate to you sooner.

Okeechobee County Death Certificate Types

Florida has two kinds of death certificates. The rules are the same in Okeechobee County as everywhere else in the state.

The first type is a death certificate without cause of death. This is a public record. Anyone age 18 or older can get one. You do not need to be related to the deceased or give a specific reason for your request. These copies list the name, date of death, place of death, and other basic vital facts. The first five digits of the Social Security number are blacked out under Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes, which keeps SSNs confidential on all public records copies.

The second type includes cause of death. This version is confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only certain people can request it. Eligible requesters include a surviving spouse, parent, adult child, adult grandchild, adult sibling, or someone with a direct estate or insurance interest. A court order can also grant access. You may need to complete DH Form 1959, an affidavit that proves your relationship or legal right. The Okeechobee County DOH staff can walk you through the process and explain what documents you need.

Fees for Okeechobee County Death Records

A death certificate from the Okeechobee County DOH costs $5 for the first copy. The search fee is included. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $4 each. These rates apply to in-person and mail orders made through the Okeechobee County office.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville has the same base fees. A $5 search 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 year of death is unknown, the state charges $2 per year searched up to a $50 limit.

VitalChek online orders are more expensive. The first copy costs $15, plus $7 in processing fees. Additional copies run $4 each. This is the most convenient choice for Okeechobee County residents who want to order from home, but it does cost quite a bit more than going to the office in person.

Historical Death Records and Okeechobee Genealogy

The Okeechobee County DOH only has death records from 2009 to the present. For anything older, contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Call (904) 359-6900 or email VitalStats@FLHealth.gov. Florida has death records going back to 1877, well before Okeechobee County was created in 1917.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, death certificates must be filed within five days and submitted electronically. Section 382.008 lays out the filing rules. Section 382.016 authorizes local registrars like the Okeechobee County DOH to issue certified copies. These laws apply across the whole state.

Okeechobee County was carved out of Osceola and St. Lucie counties in 1917. For genealogy research that goes back before then, you may need to check records in those parent counties as well. The Florida Memory Project offers free access to historical documents and photographs from across the state. The Okeechobee County Library has local history materials that can help with genealogy. The Florida Clerks of Court website can point you to probate and other court records that may hold death-related information for early Okeechobee County residents.

Other Okeechobee County Record Sources

Beyond the DOH office, other resources exist for death-related records in Okeechobee County. The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics is the state's central repository and handles requests the local office cannot fill, particularly for records before 2009.

Funeral homes in Okeechobee County maintain their own files and may have obituary copies or death notices they helped write. The Okeechobee News publishes obituaries that can serve as a starting point for research. The county library maintains newspaper archives. Under Florida's public records law in Chapter 119, most government records are open for inspection. However, cause of death is 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 fill out forms accurately and bring proper identification when requesting Okeechobee County death records. The staff at the Okeechobee County DOH can answer questions about what ID and documents you need for your specific request.

For broader county services, the Okeechobee County government maintains resources through its local offices. Contact the county directly for non-health-department records or public service inquiries.

Nearby Counties

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