Death Certificates

You can obtain Florida death certificates through the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County in three ways:

1. In-Person

   • Download: Death Certificate Application (Spanish).
   • Visit: Florida Department of Health in Seminole County at 400 West Airport Blvd., Sanford, FL 32773 or call 407-665-3226
   • Hours of operation: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2. By Mail

   • Download: Death Certificate Application (Spanish).
   • Mail your application, a copy of a valid ID, and payment to: Florida Department of Health in Seminole County, Attention: Vital Statistics, 400 West Airport Blvd., Sanford, FL 32773
   • Payments accepted:
     
     • American Express
     • Discover
     • MasterCard
     • Visa
     • Money Order
     • Cash
   • Acceptable identifications include:
     
     • Driver’s License
     • State ID
     • Passport
     • Military ID
   • If you lack a valid ID: Call 407-665-3226 to inquire about other acceptable forms of identification.

3. Online

   • Order death certificates online at VitalChek or by calling customer service at 877-550-7330.
   • Additional fees apply for using VitalChek services.
   • Payments accepted:
     
     • Cash
     • Money Order
     • Visa
     • MasterCard
     • Discover
     • American Express

For deaths prior to 2009, submit your request to the state office in Jacksonville. Death Certificate Application (Spanish).

Who Can Request a Death Certificate?

Without Cause of Death: Any person of legal age (18 or over) may apply for a certified copy of a death record without the cause of death. The first five digits of the decedent’s social security number will be redacted.

Cause of Death Information: Death records less than 50 years old with the cause of death and full social security number are confidential and may only be issued to:

• Decedent’s spouse or parent
• Decedent’s child, grandchild, or sibling, if of legal age
• Any person who provides a will, insurance policy, or other document that demonstrates their interest in the estate
• Any person acting on behalf of the above-named persons
• By court order

If you are a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, a certificate with the cause of death will be issued to you if the life insurance policy names you as the beneficiary. Submit a copy of the policy or a letter from the insurance provider dated or updated within one year, along with your request and payment.

The cause of death information is not required for:

• Credit card companies
• Probate
• Property claims
• Taxes
• Title companies
• Vehicle title transfers

Valid photo identification is required when requesting cause of death information.

If the applicant is not one of the above, the application must include a notarized Affidavit to Release Cause of Death Information (DH Form 1959) signed by one of the above, along with supporting documentation and valid photo IDs of both the authorizing person and the applicant.

Social Security Number: According to section 119.071, Florida Statutes, social security numbers on death certificates are confidential and will be issued only to eligible parties requesting a confidential record. The first five digits of the decedent’s social security number will be redacted in public record requests.

Ordering a Florida Death Certificate

Providing false information on a certificate, record, or report required by Chapter 382, Florida Statutes, or on an application or affidavit, or obtaining confidential information from any vital record under false pretenses, is a third-degree felony, punishable as provided in Chapter 775, F.S.

Please note that limited deaths were recorded between 1877 and 1917.