Washington County Death Records

Obituary and death records in Washington County are managed by the Florida Department of Health office in Chipley. This page walks you through how to get death certificates, what fees to expect, and where to find obituary notices for Washington County residents. The DOH office on South Boulevard is the main local source for recent death records, while the state office in Jacksonville handles older files dating back well over a century.

Washington County DOH Vital Records

The Florida Department of Health in Washington County handles death certificate requests for deaths that took place in the county from 2009 forward. The office is on South Boulevard in Chipley, the county seat. Washington County is a small, rural area in the Florida Panhandle. The DOH office is the local hub for vital records work, handling walk-in visits and mail orders. For older records, staff can direct you to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Calling ahead is a good idea. The staff can check if the death was registered in Washington County and tell you what ID and documents to bring. Since it is a smaller office, this can also help make sure someone is ready to assist when you arrive.

The Washington County DOH website has general information about the health department and its services.

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

How to Get Washington County Death Records

You can get a death certificate from Washington County three ways. Which one is best depends on how quickly you need the record and whether you can visit Chipley.

For in-person requests, visit the Washington County DOH at 1338 South Blvd in Chipley. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out a death certificate application. You need the full name of the person who died, the date of death, and the county where the death took place. A date of birth and Social Security number speed up the search. Most walk-in requests at the Washington County office get handled the same day. The fee is $5 for the search and first certified copy. Each extra copy is $4. Pay by check, money order, or cash.

Mail requests go to the Chipley address. Send a completed application, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders usually take 2 to 3 weeks to process and return.

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 cost $4. You pay by credit or debit card. Standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days. Rush shipping is available for an added fee.

For a small county like Washington, the in-person option at the Chipley office is often the most straightforward way to handle a death certificate request.

Washington County Death Certificate Types

Florida has two types of death certificates. The version you can get from the Washington County DOH depends on who you are and the reason for your request.

A death certificate without cause of death is public. Anyone 18 or older can request one. No family relationship is required. This version shows the person's name, date of death, place of death, and other basic information. 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 the person died. Only eligible individuals can get this version. That includes a surviving spouse, parent, adult child or grandchild, adult sibling, or someone with a court order or verifiable estate interest. You may need to fill out DH Form 1959 to prove your eligibility before the Washington County office will release this type.

The Washington County DOH staff can help you figure out which type you qualify for when you visit or call the office in Chipley.

Fees for Washington County Death Records

Washington County uses the state fee schedule. The search fee is $5 and includes the first certified copy. Extra copies cost $4 each when ordered at the same time. These rates apply to both in-person and mail requests at the Chipley office.

The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville charges the same $5 base fee. If the exact year of death is unknown, they add $2 per year searched, up to $50 total. Rush orders cost $10 more. Shipping is $1 per order. The state covers records from 1877 onward, much further back than the Washington County office.

VitalChek charges $15 for the first certified copy plus $7 in processing fees. Extra copies are $4 each. VitalChek takes credit and debit cards. It is the easiest way to order from home, but the total cost runs higher than the DOH office rate. Always check current fees before paying.

Historical Death Records and Research

The Washington County DOH keeps death records from 2009 to the present. For older 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 early Washington County records may have gaps.

Under Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes, all deaths must be registered within five days. Section 382.008 covers the filing requirements, and Section 382.016 lets local registrars issue certified copies. These laws apply in Washington County and across all 67 Florida counties.

For genealogy research, the Florida Memory Project offers free access to historical documents, photographs, and records from across the state. The Florida Clerks of Court website can help find probate records that may hold death-related information from Washington County's earlier years. The Washington County public library in Chipley may have newspaper archives and local history collections useful for family research.

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

The Washington County website connects residents to services and records across all departments.

Other Washington County Record Sources

Funeral homes in Washington County keep their own files and may have obituaries or death notices they helped prepare. The Washington County News and other local papers publish obituaries that can confirm names, dates, and family connections. The county library in Chipley may have newspaper archives and basic genealogy resources.

The Washington County Clerk of Court maintains probate files, estate records, and court documents tied to deaths. These records can help with research that goes beyond what a death certificate alone provides, especially for genealogy or legal matters.

Under Florida's Sunshine Law, most government records are public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives broad access to records at state, county, and city agencies. Cause of death is sealed for 50 years. Social Security numbers are always blacked out on public copies. If you believe a Washington County records request was wrongly denied, you can file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General.

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

Nearby Counties

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