Find Osceola County Death Records

Osceola County obituary and death records are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Kissimmee. This growing county near Orlando processes a large number of death certificate requests each year, and the DOH office provides services in person, by mail, and through the state's authorized online vendor.

Osceola County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Osceola County operates out of the Fortune Road location in Kissimmee. This is where residents go to get certified copies of death certificates for deaths that took place in Osceola County from 2009 forward. The office also handles birth and marriage records, but death certificate requests make up a big share of the workload. Walk-in visits tend to be the quickest option if you live in the Kissimmee or St. Cloud area.

The Osceola County DOH office is on Fortune Road, near the main government complex in Kissimmee. Parking is free. You can call ahead to ask about wait times or to confirm that a specific record is on file before you visit. The staff can tell you what forms and ID to bring, which saves time when you get there.

The Osceola County certificates page lists all the documents you can request and the steps to get them. It covers death certificates, birth records, and marriage records all in one place.

The Osceola County DOH main page below shows the starting point for vital records services in the county.

This portal connects Osceola County residents with health services and vital records information.

How to Request Osceola County Death Records

You can get a death certificate from Osceola County three ways: in person, by mail, or online. The best option depends on how fast you need the record and whether you can make the trip to Kissimmee.

For in-person visits, head to the Osceola County DOH at 1875 Fortune Rd in Kissimmee. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out the DH727 application form. You will need the full name of the deceased, their date of death, and the county where the death occurred. Having the date of birth and Social Security number helps speed up the search. The fee is $5 for a search that includes one certified copy, and $4 for each extra copy. Most in-person requests are processed the same day, though some take 3 to 5 business days.

Mail orders go to 1875 Fortune Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34744. Include a completed DH727 form, a photocopy of your ID, a check or money order for $5 payable to the Florida Department of Health, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Expect 2 to 3 weeks for mail orders. Do not send cash.

The Osceola County certificates section shown below has the full details on forms and ordering steps.

This page lists forms, fees, and instructions for all types of certificate requests in Osceola County.

Online orders are handled through VitalChek. The state of Florida has authorized VitalChek as the only online vendor for vital records. VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate plus a $7 processing fee, with extra copies at $4 each. You pay by credit or debit card. Standard orders arrive in 5 to 7 business days. Rush shipping costs more but gets the certificate to you faster.

Types of Death Certificates in Osceola County

Two types of death certificates exist in Florida. The type you can get depends on your relationship to the person who died.

A death certificate without cause of death is a public record. Anyone 18 or older can request one. You do not need to prove a family connection. These certificates show the person's name, date of death, place of death, and other vital details. The first five digits of the Social Security number are redacted under Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. This type works for many purposes, including property transfers and basic verification needs.

A death certificate with cause of death is confidential for 50 years after the date of death. Only certain people can get this version. Eligible requesters include a surviving spouse, parent, child or grandchild age 18 or over, sibling age 18 or over, or a person with a documented 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 eligibility. The Osceola County DOH staff can help you figure out which type you can get and what paperwork is needed.

The Osceola County vital records office can answer questions about certificate types and eligibility.

Staff at the Osceola County DOH office assist walk-in visitors in determining which certificate type fits their needs.

Osceola County Death Record Fees

The Osceola County DOH office charges $5 for a search that includes the first certified copy. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $4. This applies to both in-person and mail requests.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville uses the same base fee of $5 for one search and one copy. Extra copies are $4. If you don't know the year of death, the state charges $2 per year searched, up to $50 total. Pre-2009 records can be rushed for an extra $10, and there is a $1 shipping charge per order. The state office is at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, and you can reach them at (904) 359-6900.

VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies run $4 each. A single copy through VitalChek comes to $22, which is the highest option. But it is the most convenient if you can't visit the Osceola County office or mail in a request.

Confirm fees with the Osceola County DOH before sending any payment.

Historical Records and Genealogy

Osceola County death records at the DOH office go back to 2009. For records before that, contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Florida has maintained death records since 1877, and the Jacksonville office holds the full archive. You can also reach the state office by email at VitalStats@FLHealth.gov.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, death certificates must be filed within five days of a death. Section 382.008 lays out the filing rules, and Section 382.016 authorizes county health departments like Osceola County to produce certified copies. These statutes apply statewide and set the rules for how death records are created, stored, and released.

Genealogy researchers in Osceola County can use the Florida Memory Project, a free resource from the State Library and Archives. It contains historical photographs, documents, and records useful for tracing family lines. The Hart Memorial Central Library in Kissimmee has a local history section with Osceola County newspaper archives and obituary collections. The Florida Clerks of Court website also links to probate records that can help with older death-related research.

The Osceola County government website provides links to various county services and public records.

The Osceola County site connects residents with county services across all departments.

More Osceola County Death Record Sources

Besides the DOH office, other agencies and organizations in Osceola County can help with death-related records. The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics is the central source for all state death records and handles requests for older certificates the Osceola County office does not carry.

Funeral homes in Osceola County often keep copies of obituaries and death notices they helped prepare. Local papers like the Osceola News-Gazette publish obituaries that serve as a starting point for research. The Osceola County library system maintains newspaper archives both on microfilm and through digital platforms that can be searched from home.

Florida's Sunshine Law, found in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, gives the public broad access to government records. However, cause of death details are confidential for 50 years, and Social Security numbers are always redacted on public copies. If you believe a records request was improperly denied in Osceola County, the Florida Attorney General's office handles public records complaints.

Providing false information on a vital records application is a third-degree felony in Florida. Always use accurate details when filing requests in Osceola County.

Cities in Osceola County

Kissimmee is the county seat and the main city in Osceola County. Death records for Kissimmee residents are processed through the Osceola County DOH office on Fortune Road.

Nearby Counties

These counties border or sit near Osceola County. Each has its own DOH vital records office for death certificate requests.