How Many Death Certificates Should I Order in Florida?

Most families order death certificates through the funeral home at the arrangement meeting. Order too few and you will be waiting for more while accounts stay frozen; order too many and you pay for copies you do not use. Here is how to decide.

A practical rule of thumb

Count the organizations that will need a certified copy, then add one or two spares. Many families end up needing five to ten. Some organizations will accept a photocopy or will return the certified copy, so ask before sending one.

Who typically asks for a certified copy

• Each life insurance company
• Each bank, credit union or brokerage where the person had accounts
• Pension plans and annuity companies
• The Department of Veterans Affairs (for benefits claims)
• Vehicle title transfers (Tax Collector)
• Real estate transfers and the Property Appraiser (homestead changes)
• The probate court, if there is probate
• Credit card companies and some utilities

Social Security usually does not need a certified copy when the funeral home reports the death.

With or without cause of death?

Florida issues certified copies with or without the cause of death. Records less than 50 years old that show the cause of death are restricted to the spouse or parent, adult children, grandchildren or siblings, people with a documented interest in the estate (such as a will or insurance policy), those acting on their behalf, and people with a court order. Insurance companies usually want the cause of death; many other organizations do not.

Fees

The Florida Department of Health lists for the first certified copy (the search fee) and for each additional copy. Ordering from the state office adds a 0 rush fee, online orders through VitalChek add a processing fee, and county health department fees can vary. The funeral home usually passes these on as cash advance items.

Ordering more later in Brevard County

• In person: Florida Department of Health in Brevard County, Vital Statistics, 2565 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera. Bring photo ID. County offices can issue certificates for deaths from 2009 onward.
• Online: through VitalChek, the state’s authorized vendor.
• By mail: Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, using form DH727.

Certificates are usually available once the cause of death has been certified, which can take longer for medical examiner cases.

Related: What to do when someone dies · Planning checklist · Brevard County resources