Access Pasco County Death Records

Pasco County obituary and death records are managed through the Florida Department of Health office in Dade City. Located north of Tampa along the I-75 corridor, Pasco County has grown rapidly in recent years, and the DOH office handles a steady stream of death certificate requests for its more than 650,000 residents.

Pasco County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County operates its vital records office from 15th Street in Dade City. This is the county seat, even though many Pasco County residents live in the western part of the county near New Port Richey and Wesley Chapel. The office issues certified death certificates for deaths registered in Pasco County from 2009 to the present. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours, and the staff can also help by phone.

The Dade City office sits in Suite 212 of the building on 15th Street. Parking is available on site. If you are driving from the west side of Pasco County, the trip to Dade City can take 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Call the office at (727) 619-0300 before heading out to confirm hours and check whether a specific record is available. The staff can also tell you what ID and forms to bring.

The Pasco County certificates page lists the types of records you can request and provides instructions for each method of ordering.

The Pasco County DOH website shown below is the starting point for vital records requests in the county.

The Pasco County health department site links to all certificate services and contact information.

How to Request Pasco County Death Records

Three methods are available for getting a death certificate in Pasco County: in person, by mail, or online. Pick the one that works best based on your timeline and location.

In-person requests are handled at the Pasco County DOH office at 13941 15th St, Suite 212 in Dade City. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out the DH727 application form. You need the deceased person's full name, date of death, and the county or city where the death took place. The date of birth and Social Security number help but are not required. The fee is $5 for a search that includes one certified copy. Each extra copy is $4 when ordered at the same time. Most requests are processed the same day, though some cases take 3 to 5 business days if the record requires additional review.

Mail orders go to 13941 15th St, #212, Dade City, FL 33525. Send a completed DH727 form, a photocopy of your photo ID, a check or money order for $5 (payable to the Florida Department of Health), and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests typically take 2 to 3 weeks. Do not send cash through the mail.

The Pasco County certificates section below provides more detail on the forms and steps for ordering.

This page breaks down the Pasco County ordering process for death certificates and other vital records.

Online orders are handled through VitalChek, the only online vendor Florida authorizes for vital records. VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies cost $4 each. You pay with a credit or debit card. Standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days. Rush shipping is available at an extra charge.

Types of Death Certificates in Pasco County

Florida offers two versions of a death certificate. Which one you can obtain depends on who you are.

A death certificate without cause of death is a public record. Anyone age 18 or older can request a copy. No proof of relationship is needed. These certificates list the person's name, date and place of death, and other core information. The first five digits of the Social Security number are blacked out per Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. This version works for many common needs such as property transfers and insurance claims that do not require cause of death.

A death certificate with cause of death is kept confidential for 50 years from the date the person died. Only eligible individuals can get this type. That includes a surviving spouse, parent, adult child or grandchild, adult sibling, or someone with a documented estate or insurance interest. A court order can also authorize access. You may need to fill out DH Form 1959, which serves as an affidavit of eligibility. The Pasco County DOH staff can walk you through this and help you determine which type you qualify to receive.

The Pasco County vital records page has further details on eligibility for each certificate type.

Staff at the Pasco County DOH can help you understand which version of the death certificate you need.

Pasco County Death Record Fees

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

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

VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate plus $7 in processing. Extra copies are $4. A single copy through VitalChek totals $22. It is the most expensive way to get a death certificate from Pasco County, but it is the only online option the state authorizes.

Check with the Pasco County DOH office to confirm fees before sending your payment.

Historical Records and Genealogy

The Pasco County DOH office only keeps death records from 2009 onward. For older records, contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Florida death records date back to 1877. The state office handles all requests for pre-2009 certificates. Email VitalStats@FLHealth.gov or call (904) 359-6900 with questions about older Pasco County death records.

Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes requires death certificates to be filed within five days and submitted through the electronic registration system. Section 382.008 details the filing process. Section 382.016 authorizes local health departments, including Pasco County, to issue certified copies. These laws set the standard for death record management across the state.

Genealogy researchers in Pasco County can use the Florida Memory Project, a free resource from the State Library and Archives that holds historical documents, photographs, and records. The Hugh Embry Library in Dade City and the Centennial Park Library in New Port Richey both maintain local history collections with newspaper archives and obituary files. The Florida Clerks of Court website links to probate records that may contain death-related information for early Pasco County residents.

Funeral homes throughout Pasco County also maintain records and may have copies of obituaries or death notices. Local papers such as the Tampa Bay Times (which covers Pasco County) publish obituaries that can be useful for research.

Additional Pasco County Resources

The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics serves as the central source for death records statewide and handles requests for records the Pasco County office cannot provide. This is especially useful for anything older than 2009.

Florida's public records law, set out in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, gives the public wide access to government records. The Sunshine Law applies to death records as well, though cause of death information stays confidential for 50 years, and Social Security numbers are always redacted on public copies. If you believe a Pasco County records request was improperly denied, the Florida Attorney General handles complaints about public records.

Providing false information on a vital records application is a felony in Florida. Always bring valid ID and fill out forms accurately when requesting death records in Pasco County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Pasco County. Each one has its own DOH vital records office for death certificate requests.