Polk County Obituary Records

Polk County obituary and death records are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Bartow. Sitting in central Florida between Tampa and Orlando, Polk County has more than 850,000 residents and covers a large geographic area, making the DOH office in Bartow the main hub for all death certificate requests across the county.

Polk County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Polk County runs its vital records office from Government Center Boulevard in Bartow. This office issues certified death certificates for deaths registered in Polk County from 2009 forward. Bartow is the county seat, located roughly in the center of Polk County. The office also handles birth and marriage records. Walk-in visitors are accepted during business hours, and the staff takes phone calls for general questions about records availability.

The Bartow office is on Government Center Boulevard near the Polk County courthouse complex. Parking is available on site. If you live in Lakeland, Winter Haven, or Haines City, the drive to Bartow can take 20 to 40 minutes. Call (863) 519-7900 before visiting to confirm hours and make sure the record you need is on file. Staff can let you know what forms and ID to bring so you don't waste a trip.

The Polk County certificates page provides the full rundown on what types of records are available and how to order them.

The Polk County DOH website below is the main portal for vital records services in the county.

This page is the starting point for Polk County residents looking to request death certificates or other vital records.

How to Request Polk County Death Records

You can get a death certificate from Polk County three ways. In person, by mail, or online. The method you choose depends on how fast you need the record and your ability to travel to Bartow.

In-person requests are taken at the Polk County DOH at 200 Government Center Blvd in Bartow. Bring a valid photo ID and complete the DH727 application form. You need the deceased person's full name, date of death, and the county where the death occurred. The date of birth and Social Security number are helpful but not mandatory. The fee is $5 for a search and one certified copy. Extra copies run $4 each when ordered at the same time. Most in-person requests are done the same day. A few take 3 to 5 business days if the record needs extra review or verification.

Mail orders should be sent to 200 Government Center Blvd, Bartow, FL 33830. Include 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. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for mail requests. Do not send cash.

The Polk County certificates section below has more on ordering steps and requirements.

This page covers forms, fees, and the ordering process for Polk County death records.

Online orders go through VitalChek, which is the only online vendor Florida authorizes. 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 shipping takes 5 to 7 business days. Rush options are available for more money.

Polk County Death Certificate Types

Two types of death certificates are available in Florida. The version you can get depends on your identity and purpose.

A death certificate without cause of death is a public record. Any adult 18 or older can request one. No proof of family connection is needed. These copies include the person's name, date of death, place of death, and other key facts. The first five digits of the Social Security number are blacked out under Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. This version works for property transfers, basic verification, and many administrative tasks.

A death certificate with cause of death is kept confidential for 50 years after the person died. Only eligible individuals can request it. That includes a surviving spouse, parent, adult child or grandchild, adult sibling, or someone who can show a direct estate or insurance interest. A court order also qualifies. You may need to fill out DH Form 1959, an affidavit proving your right to receive the cause of death information. Staff at the Polk County DOH can help you figure out which type you are entitled to and what documents you need.

Polk County vital records staff are available by phone to answer questions about certificate eligibility.

The Polk County DOH office helps residents determine which certificate type fits their specific needs.

Fees for Polk County Death Records

Polk County charges $5 for a search that includes the first certified copy of a death certificate. Additional copies cost $4 each when ordered at the same time. These rates apply to in-person and mail requests at the Bartow office.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville charges the same base rate: $5 for one search and one copy, plus $4 for additional copies. If you don't know the year of death, the state adds $2 per year searched, up to $50 total. Pre-2009 records cost an extra $10 to rush. There is a $1 shipping fee per order. Contact the state office at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, or call (904) 359-6900.

VitalChek is the most expensive option. The first certificate is $15, the processing fee is $7, and extra copies run $4 each. A single copy through VitalChek totals $22. It is the only way to order a Florida death certificate online, though, so it fills a gap for Polk County residents who cannot get to the Bartow office or mail in a request.

Call the Polk County DOH at (863) 519-7900 to verify fees before you send payment.

Historical Death Records and Genealogy

The Polk County DOH office holds death records from 2009 to the present only. For older records, contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The state has death records back to 1877. You can reach the state office at (904) 359-6900 or email VitalStats@FLHealth.gov.

Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes spells out how death records must be created and maintained. Death certificates must be filed within five days. Section 382.008 covers filing rules, and Section 382.016 authorizes county registrars like Polk County to issue certified copies.

For genealogy research in Polk County, the Florida Memory Project is a free resource from the State Library and Archives. It holds historical photographs, documents, and records useful for tracing family history. The Polk County Historical Association and the Bartow Public Library both maintain local history collections. The Polk County Library Cooperative provides access to newspaper archives and obituary databases through its branches in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and other cities. The Florida Clerks of Court website can point you to probate records that may hold death-related information.

The Polk County government website connects residents with county services and public records.

The Polk County site provides access to departments and services across the county.

Additional Polk County Resources

The Florida DOH Bureau of Vital Statistics is the central source for death records statewide. It handles requests for certificates that the Polk County office does not have on file, especially anything before 2009.

Funeral homes across Polk County keep records and often have copies of obituaries. Local newspapers like The Lakeland Ledger and the Bartow News regularly publish obituaries that can serve as a starting point for research. Libraries in Polk County maintain newspaper archives, some on microfilm and some through digital access.

Florida's Sunshine Law, found in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, gives the public wide access to government records. Cause of death information stays confidential for 50 years, and Social Security numbers are always redacted. If you believe a records request was wrongly denied in Polk County, the Florida Attorney General handles complaints. Providing false information on a vital records application is a third-degree felony. Always bring proper ID and fill out forms truthfully.

Cities in Polk County

Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County. Death records for Lakeland residents are processed through the Polk County DOH office in Bartow.

Nearby Counties

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