Suwannee County Obituary Lookup

Obituary and death records for Suwannee County are filed through the Florida Department of Health office in Live Oak. This page explains where to find death certificates, what the fees are, and how to access obituary notices for Suwannee County residents. The DOH office on North Ohio Avenue handles local requests, while the state office in Jacksonville covers older records going back over a century.

Suwannee County DOH Vital Records

The Florida Department of Health in Suwannee County processes death certificate requests for deaths that took place in the county from 2009 to the present. The office is on North Ohio Avenue in Live Oak, the county seat. Suwannee County is a rural area in north-central Florida, and the DOH office serves as the main point for local vital records work. Staff handle walk-in visits and mail orders, and they can guide you to state resources for older records.

Call the Suwannee County DOH before you drive over. Staff can check if the death you are looking for was registered in the county and tell you what ID to bring. This helps avoid a wasted trip if the record is not on file locally.

The Suwannee County DOH website has details on services offered at the local health department, including vital records.

This is the main Suwannee County DOH page, the starting point for vital records services.

Requesting Suwannee County Death Records

You have three options to get a death certificate from Suwannee County. The best one depends on where you live and how fast you need the record.

For in-person requests, visit the DOH office at 915 N Ohio Ave in Live Oak. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out a death certificate application. You need the full name of the person who died, their date of death, and the county where the death took place. A date of birth and Social Security number help speed up the search. Most in-person requests at the Suwannee County office are processed the same day or within a few business days. The fee is $5 for the search and first copy. Extra copies cost $4 each. Payment can be by check, money order, or cash.

Mail orders go to the same Live Oak address. Send a completed application, a photocopy of your ID, a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for mail requests.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the state's authorized online vendor. VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus $7 in processing fees. Extra copies are $4 each. You pay by credit or debit card. Standard mail delivery takes 5 to 7 business days. Rush shipping is available for an extra fee.

For a small county like Suwannee, the in-person option at the Live Oak office is often the simplest route if you live in the area.

Death Certificate Types Available

Florida has two kinds of death certificates. The type you can get from the Suwannee County DOH depends on who you are and the purpose of your request.

A death certificate without cause of death is public. Anyone 18 or older can request it. No family tie is needed. This version lists the person's name, date of death, place of death, and other key facts. Social Security numbers are partially blacked out under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.

The version with cause of death is confidential for 50 years from the date the person died. Only certain people can request this type. That includes a surviving spouse, parent, adult child or grandchild, adult sibling, or anyone with a court order or estate interest. You may need to fill out DH Form 1959, an affidavit proving your eligibility, before the Suwannee County office will release this version.

Staff at the Suwannee County DOH can help you figure out which version you qualify for.

Fees and Payment Options

Suwannee County uses the standard state fee schedule. The search fee is $5, which includes the first certified copy. Each extra copy costs $4 when ordered at the same time. These rates apply to in-person and mail requests at the Live Oak office.

Through the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, the same $5 base fee applies. If you do not know the exact year of death, the state adds $2 per year searched, up to $50. Rush processing costs $10 extra, and shipping is $1 per order.

VitalChek charges $15 for the first certified copy plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies run $4 each. This is the most convenient option for Suwannee County residents who cannot get to the office in Live Oak, though the total cost is higher.

Always confirm fees with the Suwannee County DOH before you send payment. Rates can change.

Historical Records in Suwannee County

The Suwannee County DOH office has death records from 2009 forward only. For earlier records, you need to 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 going back to 1877.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, every death in the state must be filed within five days. Section 382.008 covers the filing rules. Section 382.016 authorizes county health departments like Suwannee to produce certified copies. These laws apply to every county in Florida.

For genealogy research, the Florida Memory Project provides free access to historical documents and photographs from across the state. The Florida Clerks of Court website can help you find probate records that may contain death-related details from before the modern registration system. The Suwannee County public library in Live Oak also has local history materials that can help with family research.

The Suwannee County government website provides public records access and links to county offices.

The Suwannee County website connects residents to services and public records across departments.

Other Suwannee County Record Sources

Funeral homes in Suwannee County keep their own records and may have copies of obituaries they helped prepare. The Suwannee Democrat and other local papers publish death notices and obituaries that can help confirm dates and family connections. The county library may offer access to newspaper archives and genealogy databases.

The Suwannee County Clerk of Court holds probate files, estate records, and other court documents that relate to deaths. These can fill in gaps that a death certificate does not cover, especially for genealogy or legal work.

Florida's public records law gives the public broad access to government documents under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Cause of death is confidential for 50 years. Social Security numbers are always redacted. If you believe a Suwannee County records request was wrongly denied, you can file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General's office.

Providing false information on a vital records form is a third-degree felony in Florida. Use truthful details on all applications for Suwannee County death records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Suwannee County. Each has its own DOH office that handles death certificate requests.