Pinellas County Death Record Search

Pinellas County obituary and death records are handled by the Florida Department of Health office in Largo. Pinellas County is the most densely populated county in the state, home to St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and nearly a million residents, which means the vital records office stays busy year-round.

Pinellas County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County runs its vital records office from the Mid-County location on Ulmerton Road in Largo. This is the Office of Vital Statistics for Pinellas County, and it assists residents in getting birth and death certificates. The office recommends making an appointment. Walk-ins are taken after scheduled appointments, which means you could face a longer wait if you just show up. Calling ahead is a good idea.

The Largo office sits in Suite 1700, right off Ulmerton Road near the Largo Mall area. Parking is free. To schedule an appointment or ask questions, call 727-507-4330 and dial extension 6316. The staff can confirm if a death record is on file and tell you what to bring. Appointments are preferred, but walk-in visitors are served after all scheduled appointments have been taken care of.

The Pinellas County certificates page has details on every type of vital record you can request, including death certificates, birth records, and marriage records.

The Pinellas County DOH main page below is the starting point for death record services.

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

How to Get Death Records in Pinellas County

Pinellas County offers three ways to get a death certificate. Each has its own cost and timeline.

For in-person requests, go to the Pinellas County DOH at 8751 Ulmerton Rd, Suite 1700, in Largo. Make an appointment if you can. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out the DH727 application form. You will need the full name of the deceased, date of death, and county of death. The date of birth and Social Security number help speed up the search but are not strictly required. The fee in Pinellas County is $9 for the first certified copy, $8 for each additional copy ordered at the same time, and $5 for a rush fee if available. Most same-day requests are completed while you wait. Some take 3 to 5 business days.

Mail orders go to 8751 Ulmerton Rd, Suite 1700, Largo, FL 33771. Include a completed DH727 form, a photocopy of your ID, a check or money order for $9 payable to the Florida Department of Health, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests take about 2 to 3 weeks. Do not mail cash.

The Pinellas County certificates page below shows the detailed ordering process.

This section covers forms, fees, and instructions for all certificate orders in Pinellas County.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the sole online vendor authorized by the state. VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate plus a $7 processing fee, with additional copies at $4 each. You pay by credit or debit card. Standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days. Rush shipping costs extra but speeds things up considerably.

Pinellas County Death Certificate Types

Florida issues two types of death certificates. The type you can get hinges on who you are and why you need it.

A death certificate without cause of death is a public record. Anyone 18 or older can request it. No family connection is needed. The certificate shows the person's name, date of death, place of death, and other standard information. Social Security number digits are partially redacted under Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. This type is sufficient for many legal, property, and administrative purposes.

A death certificate with cause of death is confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only qualified people can request this version. Eligible requesters include a surviving spouse, parent, child or grandchild 18 or older, sibling 18 or older, or someone with a documented estate or insurance claim. A court order also qualifies. You may need to complete DH Form 1959, an affidavit that proves your eligibility. The Pinellas County office can help you work through the paperwork and figure out which type you are eligible to receive.

Fees for Pinellas County Death Records

Pinellas County has a unique fee structure compared to many other Florida counties. The first certified copy of a death certificate costs $9. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $8. A rush fee of $5 may apply if you need expedited service. These rates apply at the Largo office for both in-person and mail requests.

If you order from the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, the fee is $5 for a search that includes one copy. Additional copies cost $4 each. When the exact year of death is not known, the state charges $2 per year searched, up to a $50 cap. Pre-2009 records carry an extra $10 rush fee if needed. There is also a $1 shipping charge per order. The state office is at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. You can call (904) 359-6900.

VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate, $7 in processing, and $4 for each extra copy. One copy totals $22 through VitalChek. It is the most expensive route but the only online option authorized by the state of Florida.

Always call the Pinellas County DOH at 727-507-4330 ext 6316 to confirm the current fees before submitting a request.

Historical Records and Genealogy

Pinellas County death records at the DOH office start at 2009. For anything older, you need to contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The state holds death records dating back to 1877. Reach the Jacksonville office at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, or call (904) 359-6900. Email inquiries can go to VitalStats@FLHealth.gov.

Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes requires that death certificates be filed within five days and submitted electronically. Section 382.008 covers the filing process. Section 382.016 gives county health departments like Pinellas the authority to produce certified copies. These statutes govern death records across all Florida counties.

For genealogy work, the Florida Memory Project is a free online resource from the State Library and Archives of Florida. It has historical documents, photographs, and records that can help with family research. The Pinellas County Heritage Village in Largo is another resource for local history. The Pinellas Public Library Cooperative maintains genealogy databases and newspaper archives. The Florida Clerks of Court website links to probate records and court documents that may include death-related information for early Pinellas County residents.

Local funeral homes in Pinellas County also keep records and may have obituary copies. The Tampa Bay Times and other area newspapers publish obituaries that researchers can search through library databases.

More Pinellas County Record Sources

The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics is the central repository for all state death records. It serves as the backup for anything the Pinellas County DOH office does not carry, particularly records before 2009.

Florida's public records law, the Sunshine Law, is laid out in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. It gives the public broad access to government records held by state, county, and city agencies. Cause of death stays confidential for 50 years, and Social Security numbers are always blacked out on public copies. If you believe a records request was wrongly denied in Pinellas County, the Florida Attorney General's office handles public records complaints.

Giving false information on a vital records application is a third-degree felony under Florida law. This applies in Pinellas County and everywhere else in the state. Always bring proper identification and provide truthful details on all forms.

Cities in Pinellas County

Pinellas County contains several large cities. Death records for all Pinellas County cities are processed through the county DOH office in Largo, no matter which city the death occurred in.

Nearby Counties

These counties neighbor Pinellas County. Each has its own DOH office that handles death certificate requests for deaths within its borders.