Wakulla County Death Records

Obituary and death records in Wakulla County are filed through the Florida Department of Health office in Crawfordville. This page explains how to search for death certificates, what fees you can expect, and where to locate obituary notices tied to Wakulla County. The county sits just south of Tallahassee, and many residents use both the local DOH office and the nearby Leon County resources for vital records needs.

Wakulla County DOH Vital Records

The Florida Department of Health in Wakulla County handles death certificate requests for deaths registered in the county from 2009 to the present. The office is on Oak Street in Crawfordville, the county seat. Wakulla County is a small county along the Gulf Coast, south of Tallahassee. The DOH office processes walk-in and mail requests and can steer you toward state resources for older records that are not in the local system.

Call the Wakulla County DOH before you visit. Staff can check whether the death was registered in the county and let you know what ID and forms to bring. Since the office is small, calling ahead helps make sure someone is available to assist you.

The Wakulla County DOH website has general information about the health department and its services, including vital records.

The Wakulla County DOH main page is where vital records services begin.

How to Get Wakulla County Death Records

There are three ways to get a death certificate in Wakulla County. The best method depends on your location and how soon you need the document.

Walk-in requests are the fastest. Go to the Wakulla County DOH at 23 Oak St in Crawfordville. 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 the staff locate the record faster. Most in-person requests are processed the same day. The fee is $5 for the search and first certified copy. Extra copies cost $4 each. Pay by check, money order, or cash.

Mail requests go to the Crawfordville address. Include a completed application, a copy of your photo ID, a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders usually take 2 to 3 weeks to arrive.

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

Wakulla County residents who commute to Tallahassee may find it more convenient to call the Crawfordville office first and then stop by on their way, since the office is right off the main road through town.

Death Certificate Types in Wakulla County

Florida issues two kinds of death certificates. The type you can get from the Wakulla County DOH depends on your identity and purpose.

A death certificate without cause of death is a public record. Anyone 18 or older can request one with no family connection required. This version shows the person's name, date and place of death, and other key facts. Social Security numbers are partially redacted under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.

The version with cause of death is confidential for 50 years. Only eligible people can request it. The eligible list includes a surviving spouse, parent, adult child or grandchild, adult sibling, or someone with a court order or estate interest. DH Form 1959 may be needed to prove your relationship before the Wakulla County office releases this version.

Staff at the Wakulla County DOH will help you figure out which type you qualify for when you call or visit.

Wakulla County Death Record Fees

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

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville also charges $5 for the search and first copy. If you do not know the year of death, they add $2 per year searched, up to $50 total. Rush orders cost $10 extra. Shipping is $1 per order. The state handles records from 1877 to the present.

VitalChek charges $15 for the first certified copy plus $7 in processing fees. Extra copies are $4 each. VitalChek accepts credit and debit cards. This option is convenient for ordering from home, though the total cost is higher than going through the Wakulla County DOH directly.

Always check the current fee schedule with the Wakulla County DOH before sending payment, since fees may change.

Wakulla County Historical Records

The Wakulla County DOH keeps death records from 2009 forward. For older records, contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, or call (904) 359-6900. The state archive stretches back to 1877, though the earliest Wakulla County records may be sparse.

Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes requires all deaths to be registered within five days. Section 382.008 covers the filing rules, and Section 382.016 authorizes local registrars to issue certified copies. These laws apply in Wakulla County and every other Florida county.

For genealogy work, 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 information from Wakulla County's earlier days. The Wakulla County public library may also have local history collections and newspaper archives.

The Wakulla County government website provides links to county departments and public records access.

The Wakulla County website connects residents to services and records throughout the county.

Other Wakulla County Record Sources

Funeral homes in Wakulla County keep their own files and may have copies of obituaries or death notices they helped prepare. The Wakulla News and other local papers publish obituaries that can help confirm names, dates, and family details. The county library in Crawfordville may offer newspaper archives and basic genealogy tools.

The Wakulla County Clerk of Court maintains probate files, estate records, and court documents tied to deaths. These records can be useful for research that goes beyond what a death certificate provides. Because of Wakulla County's proximity to Tallahassee, the Florida State Archives and the Leon County Clerk's office may also hold relevant historical materials.

Florida's Sunshine Law gives the public broad access to government records under Chapter 119. Cause of death is confidential for 50 years. Social Security numbers are always blacked out. If you think a Wakulla County records request was wrongly denied, the Florida Attorney General handles public records complaints.

Submitting false information on a vital records form is a felony under Florida law. Always use truthful, accurate details on all Wakulla County death record applications.

Nearby Counties

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