St. Johns County Death Records

Obituary and death records in St. Johns County are maintained by the Florida Department of Health office in St. Augustine. This guide covers how to search for, request, and receive death certificates in St. Johns County. Whether you are settling an estate, filing an insurance claim, or doing genealogy research, the steps on this page will point you in the right direction.

St. Johns County DOH Vital Records

The Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County handles death certificate requests for deaths registered in the county from 2009 forward. The office is on San Sebastian View in St. Augustine, the county seat. Staff there can process walk-in and mail requests, and they can guide you to other resources if the record you need is not in their system. St. Johns County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida, and the DOH office sees a steady stream of vital records requests.

Calling ahead saves time. Staff can check if the death you are looking for was registered in St. Johns County and tell you what documents to bring. If the death took place in a different county, they will point you to the correct office.

The St. Johns County certificates page has forms, fees, and ordering instructions.

This portal is the starting point for all St. Johns County vital records services.

Requesting St. Johns County Death Records

You can get a death certificate from St. Johns County in three ways. The best option depends on how quickly you need the document and whether you can visit St. Augustine in person.

For in-person requests, go to 200 San Sebastian View in St. Augustine. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out a death certificate application form. You need the full name of the deceased, date of death, and the county where the death happened. A date of birth and Social Security number speed up the search. Most walk-in requests are processed the same day, though some may take a few business days if the record needs extra review. The fee is $5 for the search and first certified copy. Additional copies cost $4 each.

Mail requests go to the St. Johns County DOH at the address above. Send a completed application form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders generally take 2 to 3 weeks.

The St. Johns County certificates section provides more details on ordering.

This page shows the forms and fees for St. Johns County death certificate requests.

For online orders, use VitalChek, the state's authorized vendor. VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies are $4 each. You pay by credit or debit card. Standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days.

Death Certificate Types in St. Johns County

Florida has two types of death certificates. Which one you can get from the St. Johns County DOH depends on your identity and the reason for your request.

The version without cause of death is a public record. Anyone 18 or older can get one. No family tie is required. It still lists the person's name, date of death, place of death, and other key details. Social Security numbers are partially blacked out under Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes.

The version with cause of death is confidential for 50 years. Only eligible people can request it. The list includes a surviving spouse, parent, adult child, adult grandchild, adult sibling, or anyone with a court order or documented estate interest. You may need to sign DH Form 1959 to prove your eligibility before the St. Johns County office will issue this version.

Staff at the St. Johns County DOH can explain which type fits your situation when you call or visit.

Fees and Costs for Death Records

St. Johns County follows the state fee schedule. The search fee is $5 and includes one certified copy. Extra copies cost $4 each if ordered at the same time. These fees apply to in-person and mail requests at the local office.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville charges the same $5 base fee. If you cannot narrow the death to a specific year, they add $2 per year searched, up to $50. Rush service costs $10 extra. Shipping is $1. The state office holds records going back to 1877, so it covers the widest range.

VitalChek charges $15 for the first certified copy plus $7 in processing fees. Extra copies run $4 each. VitalChek takes credit and debit cards. This is the easiest way for St. Johns County residents to order online, though it costs more than going directly through the DOH.

St. Johns County Historical Records

The St. Johns County DOH holds death records from 2009 forward. For earlier records, contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, or call (904) 359-6900. The state archive has death records dating back to 1877. St. Johns County has a particularly long history, and some records may exist in local archives that predate state registration.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, all deaths must be registered within five days. Section 382.008 covers the filing rules, and Section 382.016 authorizes local health departments to issue certified copies. These laws apply to every county in Florida, including St. Johns.

The Florida Memory Project provides free access to historical records, photographs, and documents from across the state. The Florida Clerks of Court website can help with probate records that may include death-related information from before the modern registration system. The St. Johns County government website links to public records and county departments.

The St. Johns County website connects residents to services and public records access.

Other St. Johns County Record Sources

Funeral homes in St. Johns County maintain their own files and may have copies of obituaries or death notices. Local newspapers like The St. Augustine Record publish obituaries that can help with research. The St. Johns County public library system offers newspaper archives and may provide access to genealogy databases.

The St. Johns County Clerk of Court holds probate files, estate records, and other legal documents related to deaths. These can be valuable for research that goes beyond what a death certificate alone shows.

Florida's Sunshine Law gives the public broad access to government records under Chapter 119. Cause of death information stays confidential for 50 years, and Social Security numbers are always redacted on public copies. If you think a records request in St. Johns County was wrongly denied, you can contact the Florida Attorney General.

Submitting false information on a vital records application is a felony under Florida law. Always use accurate and truthful details on all forms when requesting death records in St. Johns County.

The certificates page covers the full range of vital records services in St. Johns County.

Nearby Counties

These counties neighbor St. Johns County. Each one has its own DOH vital records office for death certificate requests.