Taylor County Death Record Search

Obituary and death records in Taylor County are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Perry. This guide covers how to request death certificates, the costs involved, and where else to look for obituary and death information tied to Taylor County. The DOH office on West Park Street handles local requests for recent records, and the state office in Jacksonville covers older files going back over a century.

Taylor County DOH Vital Records

The Florida Department of Health in Taylor County handles death certificate requests for deaths registered in the county from 2009 forward. The office sits on West Park Street in Perry, the county seat. Taylor County is a small, rural area along the Gulf Coast in north Florida. The DOH office processes walk-in and mail requests. For older records, the staff can direct you to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.

It helps to call before you go. Staff can confirm if the death record you need is on file in Taylor County and let you know what documents to bring with you. If the death took place in a different county, they will tell you which office to contact.

The Taylor County DOH website has general information about services at the health department, including vital records.

This is the main page for the Taylor County DOH, where vital records services start.

How to Get Taylor County Death Records

There are three ways to get a death certificate in Taylor County. Pick the one that works best for your situation.

In-person requests are the fastest option. Go to the Taylor County DOH at 1215 W Park St in Perry. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out a death certificate application form. You need the full name of the deceased, their date of death, and where the death occurred. A date of birth and Social Security number help the staff find the record quicker. Most walk-in requests get handled the same day, though some may take a few business days. The fee is $5 for the search and first certified copy, plus $4 for each extra copy. Pay by check, money order, or cash.

For mail orders, send a completed application form, a copy of your photo ID, a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Perry address. Mail requests typically take 2 to 3 weeks to process.

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

Since Taylor County is a small community, the in-person visit to Perry is often the most straightforward way to handle a death certificate request.

Taylor County Death Certificate Types

Florida issues two kinds of death certificates. The version you can get depends on who you are and why you need the document.

A death certificate without cause of death is a public record in Florida. Anyone 18 or older can request one from the Taylor County DOH. No family connection is needed. This version still shows the person's name, date and place of death, and other basic facts. Social Security numbers are partially redacted under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.

A death certificate with cause of death is confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only certain individuals qualify for this version. The list includes a surviving spouse, parent, adult child or grandchild, adult sibling, or anyone with a court order or documented estate interest. You may need to sign DH Form 1959, an affidavit of eligibility, before the Taylor County office will release this type of certificate.

The Taylor County DOH staff can walk you through which version you qualify for when you call or visit the office in Perry.

Fees for Taylor County Records

Taylor County follows the state fee schedule. The search fee is $5, which covers one certified copy. Extra copies cost $4 each when ordered at the same time. These rates apply to in-person and mail requests at the local DOH office.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville uses the same $5 base fee. If you cannot pin down the year of death, they charge $2 for each additional year searched, up to $50. Rush processing adds $10, and shipping is $1 per order. The state office covers records from 1877 to the present.

VitalChek charges $15 for the first certified copy plus $7 in processing fees. Additional copies are $4 each. This is the easiest way for Taylor County residents to order from home, but the total cost runs higher than going through the DOH directly.

Historical Death Records and Genealogy

The Taylor County DOH keeps death records from 2009 to the present. For earlier records, contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, or call (904) 359-6900. Florida has state death records going back to 1877, though the oldest Taylor County records may have gaps or be harder to locate.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, all deaths must be registered within five days. Section 382.008 lays out the filing requirements, and Section 382.016 authorizes local registrars to issue certified copies. These laws apply in Taylor County and across all Florida counties.

The Florida Memory Project offers free genealogy resources, including historical documents and photographs. The Florida Clerks of Court website can help you track down probate records that may contain death-related information from Taylor County's earlier years. Local libraries in Perry may also have newspaper archives and family history materials.

The Taylor County government website links to public records and county services.

The Taylor County site connects residents to departments and services across the county.

Other Taylor County Death Record Sources

Funeral homes in Taylor County maintain their own files and often have copies of obituaries or death notices they helped write. The Perry News-Herald and other local papers publish death notices and obituaries. The Taylor County public library may have newspaper archives and digital tools for genealogy work.

The Taylor County Clerk of Court keeps probate files, estate records, and court documents tied to deaths. These can be helpful for research that goes beyond a death certificate, especially for family history projects or legal matters.

Under Florida's Sunshine Law, most government records are open for public inspection. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives broad access to records at state, county, and city agencies. Cause of death information stays sealed for 50 years. Social Security numbers are always blacked out. If you feel a Taylor County records request was wrongly denied, you can contact the Florida Attorney General.

Lying on a vital records application is a felony under Florida law. Always use correct information when requesting death records in Taylor County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Taylor County. Each has its own DOH office for death certificate requests.