Eligibility

In Florida, anyone may order a Florida Death Certificate "without cause of death". A Florida Death Certificate "With Cause of Death" is confidential by Florida Law and may only be issued as follows:

• To the decedent's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling (if 18 years of age or older).
• To any person who provides a "Will" that has been executed pursuant to state statute 732.502; an insurance policy or other document that demonstrates his or her interest in the estate of the decedent;
• Or to any person who provides documentation that he or she is acting on behalf of any of the previously mentioned persons.
• Fifty (50) years following the date of death, "Cause of death" becomes public information and anyone may obtain a Death Certificate with this information. Any time period prior to the fifty years, "cause of death" is considered confidential by Florida law.
  

Copies of DeSoto County Death Certificates are $10.00 per copy. We accept Case, Check, Money Orders, Visa & Mastercard. Please make payable to DeSoto County Health Department. Prices are subject to change.

Express Certificate Services are available. Vital Check accepts all forms of credit cards and if necessary, uses United Parcel Service (UPS) for overnight delivery upon request. Cost may vary and additional fees may apply.

Death Certificate Applications

DeSoto County Deaths prior to 1990 and other Florida Deaths can be obtained through the State Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, Florida.

Application for Florida Death or Fetal Death Record

Death Record Amendments

If a death record contains errors, it may be possible to correct the record. All amendments are initiated by the funeral establishment.

Demographic Amendments

• Depending on the type of correction, documentary evidence to support the requested correction may be required.
• A non-refundable fee of $20.00 which includes one certification of the record is required by Florida law.
  

Medical Amendments

• To amend the medical certification or cause of death section on the death certificate requires the certifying physician or medical examiner to complete and file the notarized Affidavit of Amendment to Medical Certification of Death, DH 434A (2005 Version) or Affidavit of Amendment to Medical Certification of Death, DH 434 (2004 and prior). This includes not only the cause of death and manner of death, but also"...the date of death, hour or time of death or the place of death other than street address..."
• There is no amendment fee associated with a medical amendment; however, if a certificate of the amended death record is desired, a fee of $5.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each subsequent copy ordered at the same time is required. Questions on the medical affidavit should be directed to (904) 359-6900, extension 1088.
  

A death certificate which is prepared to give to a foreign county is called an apostille. The following situations are examples of when an apostille death certificate could be required:

• Burying a deceased family member in a foreign country
• Settling an estate of a deceased family member in a foreign county