Search Seminole County Death Records

Obituary and death records for Seminole County are managed through the Florida Department of Health office in Sanford. This page explains how to find, request, and obtain death certificates in Seminole County, whether you need a copy for an estate matter, insurance claim, or family research. The DOH office on Airport Boulevard handles most local requests, and several other options exist for older or specialized records.

Seminole County DOH Vital Records

The Florida Department of Health in Seminole County is the primary office for death certificate requests. The office sits on West Airport Boulevard in Sanford, the county seat. Staff there handle walk-in visits, mail orders, and can direct you to the right resources if the record you need is not on file locally. Seminole County DOH keeps death records from 2009 to the present. For anything older, the state office in Jacksonville is the place to go.

Call ahead before you visit. The staff can check if the record you need is on file and tell you what to bring. Walk-in visits are usually the fastest way to get a death certificate from the Seminole County office.

The Seminole County certificates page lists forms, fees, and instructions for ordering.

This is the main page for Seminole County vital records services at the DOH office.

How to Get Seminole County Death Records

You have three options for getting a death certificate in Seminole County. The right one depends on how fast you need the record and whether you can get to the office in Sanford.

For in-person requests, visit the Seminole County DOH at 400 W Airport Blvd. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out a death certificate application. You need the full name of the deceased, date of death, and the county where the death occurred. Having a date of birth and Social Security number on hand speeds things up. Most in-person requests get processed the same day. The fee is $5 for the search and first copy, plus $4 for each extra copy. Payment can be made by check, money order, or cash.

Mail requests go to the same address. Include a completed application, a photocopy of your ID, a check or money order made out to the Florida Department of Health, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Expect 2 to 3 weeks for mail orders to come back.

The Seminole County certificates section below shows the forms and details you need.

This page walks you through each step of the Seminole County death certificate request process.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the only vendor the state authorizes for online vital records. VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus $7 in processing fees. Extra copies cost $4 each. You pay by credit or debit card. Standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days. Rush shipping is extra.

Seminole County Death Certificate Types

Florida issues two kinds of death certificates. The one you can get depends on who you are and why you need it. This applies to all requests made through the Seminole County DOH.

A death certificate without cause of death is public. Anyone 18 or older can request one. You do not need a family connection. This version still shows the person's name, date and place of death, and other vital facts. Social Security numbers are partially redacted under Florida Statutes Chapter 119.

A death certificate with cause of death is confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only eligible people can get this version. That includes a surviving spouse, parent, adult child or grandchild, adult sibling, or someone with a verifiable estate interest. A court order also works. You may need to fill out DH Form 1959 to prove your relationship.

The Seminole County health department can help you determine which type you qualify for when you visit or call.

Fees for Obituary Death Records

Seminole County uses the state fee schedule. The search fee is $5, and that includes the first certified copy. Extra copies run $4 each when ordered at the same time. These fees apply at the local DOH office in Sanford.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville charges the same $5 base fee. If you do not know the exact year of death, the state adds $2 per year searched, up to $50 total. Rush processing costs $10 extra. Shipping is $1 per order. The state office handles records from 1877 onward, so it covers a much wider time range than the Seminole County office.

VitalChek orders cost more. The first copy is $15 plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies are $4 each. This option is best for Seminole County residents who want to order from home but do not mind paying a bit more for the convenience.

Always check the current fee schedule with the Seminole County DOH before sending payment. Fees can change.

Historical Records and Genealogy

The Seminole County DOH only keeps death records from 2009 to the present. For older records, contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The phone number is (904) 359-6900. The state has death records going back to 1877, though early records may be incomplete or hard to read.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, all deaths must be registered within five days. This law has been on the books for a long time, which is why the state archive stretches back so far. Section 382.008 lays out the filing requirements, and Section 382.016 authorizes county health departments like Seminole to issue certified copies.

For genealogy work in Seminole County, the Florida Memory Project offers free access to historical records, old photos, and documents from across the state. The Florida Clerks of Court website can help you find probate records that sometimes contain death information predating modern vital records.

The Seminole County government website also connects residents to public records and county services.

The county website provides links to departments and services across Seminole County.

Other Seminole County Death Record Sources

Funeral homes in Seminole County keep their own files and often have copies of obituaries or death notices they prepared. Local newspapers publish obituaries that can help confirm names, dates, and family connections. The Seminole County public library system may offer access to newspaper archives and digital obituary collections.

The Seminole County Clerk of Court holds probate files, estate records, and other court documents tied to deaths. These can be useful for legal research or genealogy projects that go beyond what a death certificate alone provides.

Florida's public records law, often called the Sunshine Law, gives the public broad access to government records under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. However, cause of death stays confidential for 50 years, and Social Security numbers are always redacted. If you feel a Seminole County records request was wrongly denied, you can file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General.

Providing false information on a vital records application is a third-degree felony in Florida. Use accurate details on all forms.

The Seminole County DOH provides certificate services for death records from 2009 forward.

Nearby Counties

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