Search Palm Beach County Death Records

Palm Beach County obituary and death records are handled by the Florida Department of Health office in West Palm Beach. As one of Florida's most populous counties with over 1.5 million residents, the Palm Beach County DOH processes a high volume of death certificate requests and operates multiple office locations to serve the community.

Palm Beach County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County runs the vital records office from its main location on Clematis Street in West Palm Beach. This office issues certified death certificates for deaths that happened in Palm Beach County from 2009 to the present. The fee is $15 for the first copy. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff handle walk-in requests and can also answer questions by phone.

Palm Beach County has more than one DOH location. Besides the main office in West Palm Beach, there is a Delray Beach location and a Belle Glade location. Both satellite offices accept death certificate requests. The Delray Beach Health Center also offers notary services, which can be helpful if you need documents notarized as part of your vital records request. Call ahead to confirm that the branch you plan to visit has the services you need.

The Palm Beach County death certificates page explains what you need to bring and how to fill out the forms. Death certificates are available for deaths occurring in the state of Florida from 2009 to present through the local office. You can visit or mail your request to the main office, the Delray Beach location, or the Belle Glade location.

The Palm Beach County DOH portal shown below is the starting point for death record requests.

This page links to all vital records services available through the Palm Beach County DOH.

How to Get Death Records in Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County offers three ways to get a death certificate. You can go in person, send a request by mail, or order online. Each method has different timelines and costs.

For in-person requests, visit the main office at 800 Clematis St in West Palm Beach or one of the branch locations. Bring a valid photo ID and complete the DH727 application form (available in English and Spanish). You will need the deceased person's full name, date of death, and county of death. The date of birth and Social Security number help but are not mandatory. The fee is $15 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Most requests are handled the same day, but some may take 3 to 5 business days if the record needs verification.

Mail requests should go to 800 Clematis St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Include the DH727 form, a copy of your photo ID, a check or money order for $15 payable to the Florida Department of Health, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders typically take 2 to 3 weeks. Do not send cash by mail.

The Palm Beach County certificates page below shows the ordering options and fee details.

This page walks through every step of the Palm Beach County death certificate ordering process.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the only vendor authorized by Florida for online vital records orders. VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate plus a $7 processing fee, with extra copies at $4 each. Credit and debit cards are accepted. Standard shipping takes 5 to 7 business days. Rush options are available at an additional cost.

Palm Beach County Death Certificate Types

Florida has two types of death certificates. The one you can get depends on your relationship to the deceased and your reason for needing the document.

A death certificate without cause of death is public. Any person 18 or older can request one without proving a family relationship. These copies list the name, date of death, place of death, and other key facts. Social Security number digits are partially redacted under Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. This type is adequate for many legal and personal needs.

A death certificate with cause of death is confidential for 50 years. Only specific individuals can request it: a surviving spouse, parent, adult child or grandchild, adult sibling, or a person with a documented estate or insurance interest. A court order also works. You may need to submit DH Form 1959 to prove your eligibility. The Palm Beach County DOH staff can guide you through this process and let you know which type fits your situation.

The Palm Beach County death certificates page has details on both certificate types.

This section explains the difference between public and confidential death records in Palm Beach County.

Fees for Palm Beach Death Records

Palm Beach County charges $15 for the first certified copy of a death certificate. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $4. These fees apply at the main office and all branch locations. Payment can be made by check, money order, or cash for in-person visits.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville charges $5 for a search that includes one copy, plus $4 for each additional copy. If the exact year of death is unknown, the state adds $2 for each year searched, capped at $50. Pre-2009 records carry an extra $10 rush fee, and there is a $1 shipping charge per order. The state office is at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Call (904) 359-6900 with questions.

VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate, $7 in processing fees, and $4 for each extra copy. A single copy comes to $22 total. This is the priciest method but the most accessible for Palm Beach County residents who cannot visit an office in person.

Verify the current fee schedule with the Palm Beach County DOH office before sending payment, as fees may change.

Historical Records and Genealogy

The Palm Beach County DOH office holds death records from 2009 to the present. Older records are kept by the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, which has death records dating back to 1877. Contact them at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, or call (904) 359-6900. You can also email VitalStats@FLHealth.gov for questions about older Palm Beach County records.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, death certificates must be filed within five days and submitted electronically. Section 382.008 covers filing procedures. Section 382.016 gives county health departments like Palm Beach County the authority to issue certified copies. These are the laws that govern death records across every Florida county.

For genealogy research in Palm Beach County, the Florida Memory Project offers free access to historical records, documents, and photographs. The Palm Beach County Library System has a genealogy section with local newspaper archives and obituary indexes. The Florida Clerks of Court website links to probate and court records that sometimes hold death-related information for early Palm Beach County residents.

The Palm Beach County government website also connects residents with public records and county services.

The county site provides access to departments, records, and services across Palm Beach County.

Other Palm Beach County Record Sources

Beyond the DOH office, several other resources can help with death-related records in Palm Beach County. The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics is the state-level repository and handles requests for records the Palm Beach County office does not have on file.

Funeral homes in Palm Beach County maintain their own records and often have copies of obituaries or death notices they helped families create. Local newspapers like the Palm Beach Post publish obituaries that can serve as a starting point for research. The Palm Beach County Library System keeps newspaper archives on microfilm and through digital databases accessible to cardholders.

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, and Social Security numbers are always redacted. If a records request is denied improperly in Palm Beach County, complaints go to the Florida Attorney General's office.

Giving false information on a vital records form is a third-degree felony under Florida law. Always bring proper ID and provide accurate information when requesting records in Palm Beach County.

Cities in Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County has several large cities. Death records for residents of all Palm Beach County cities go through the county DOH office in West Palm Beach or one of its branch locations.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Palm Beach County. Each has its own DOH vital records office that handles death certificate requests.