Access Walton County Obituary Records

Obituary and death records for Walton County are handled by the Florida Department of Health office in DeFuniak Springs. This page covers how to get death certificates, the fees involved, and other places to find obituary information for Walton County residents. The DOH office on State Highway 83 handles local requests for recent death records, and the state office in Jacksonville covers older files stretching back to the late 1800s.

Walton County DOH Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health in Walton County processes death certificate requests for deaths registered in the county from 2009 to the present. The office is on State Highway 83 in DeFuniak Springs, the county seat. Walton County covers a large area in the Florida Panhandle, stretching from the Gulf Coast beaches south of the bay up to the Alabama border. The DOH office handles walk-in visits and mail orders for death records.

Call the Walton County DOH before you visit. Staff can confirm if the death you are researching was registered in the county and let you know what to bring. If the death happened elsewhere, they will direct you to the right office.

The Walton County DOH website provides general information about the health department and its services.

The Walton County DOH main page is the starting point for vital records services in the county.

How to Request Walton County Death Records

There are three methods for getting a death certificate from Walton County. The right one depends on how quickly you need the document and whether you can get to DeFuniak Springs.

For in-person requests, go to the Walton County DOH at 362 State Hwy 83 in DeFuniak Springs. 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 where the death took place. The date of birth and Social Security number help the search go faster. Most walk-in requests get processed the same day. The fee is $5 for the search and first copy. Extra copies cost $4 each. You can pay by check, money order, or cash.

Mail requests go to the DeFuniak Springs address. Include a completed application form, 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 orders.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the only vendor the state of Florida authorizes for online vital records. VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies are $4 each. You pay by credit or debit card, and standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days. Rush options cost more.

Walton County residents who live along the coast, near areas like Santa Rosa Beach or Miramar Beach, may find the mail or online options easier than driving to DeFuniak Springs.

Walton County Death Certificate Types

Florida issues two kinds of death certificates. The one you can get from the Walton County DOH depends on your relationship to the deceased and why you need it.

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

The version with cause of death is confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only eligible individuals can request this version. That includes a surviving spouse, parent, adult child or grandchild, adult sibling, or someone with a court order or documented estate interest. You may need to complete DH Form 1959 to prove eligibility before the Walton County office releases this type.

The Walton County DOH staff can help you determine which type you qualify for. Call or visit the office for more detail.

Walton County Death Record Fees

Walton County follows the state fee schedule for death certificates. The search fee is $5 and includes one certified copy. Extra copies are $4 each when ordered at the same time. These fees apply to in-person and mail requests at the DeFuniak Springs 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 charges $2 per year searched, up to $50 total. Rush processing is $10 extra. Shipping costs $1 per order. The state office covers records from 1877 forward.

VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy plus $7 in processing fees. Additional copies cost $4 each. This is the most convenient option for Walton County residents ordering from home, but the cost is higher than the DOH office rate. Always confirm fees before sending payment.

Historical Records and Genealogy

The Walton County DOH keeps records from 2009 forward. For anything older, 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 has death records going back to 1877, though early Walton County records may be incomplete or hard to locate.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, every death must be registered within five days. Section 382.008 lays out the filing requirements. Section 382.016 authorizes county health departments like Walton to issue certified copies. These statutes apply statewide.

The Florida Memory Project offers free genealogy resources, including historical documents, photographs, and records from across the state. The Florida Clerks of Court website can help find probate records that may contain death-related details from Walton County's past. The Walton County public library in DeFuniak Springs may also have local history collections useful for family research.

The Walton County government website connects residents to public records and county departments.

The Walton County site provides links to services and records across all county offices.

Other Walton County Record Sources

Funeral homes in Walton County keep their own records and may have copies of obituaries or death notices. The DeFuniak Springs Herald and other local papers publish obituaries that help confirm dates and family connections. The county library may have newspaper archives and digital genealogy tools available to the public.

The Walton County Clerk of Court holds probate files, estate records, and court documents related to deaths. These records can fill in gaps that a death certificate does not cover, particularly for genealogy or legal research.

Florida's Sunshine Law gives the public broad access to government records. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes applies to records held by state, county, and city agencies. Cause of death information is sealed for 50 years. Social Security numbers are always redacted. If you think a Walton County records request was wrongly denied, the Florida Attorney General handles public records complaints.

Lying on a vital records form is a felony under Florida law. Always provide accurate information when requesting death records from Walton County.

Nearby Counties

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