A Florida short form death certificate is a certified copy of a death record that leaves off the cause of death, and any adult can order one from the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics using Form DH 727. The state charges $5 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Because the medical details are omitted, you don’t need to prove a relationship to the deceased or show photo ID.1Florida Department of Health. Death Certificates
What the Short Form Shows
The short form lists the decedent’s full legal name, sex, date of death, and the county where the death occurred, along with the date the record was filed with the state. It does not include the cause of death. Under Florida Statute 382.008, cause-of-death information on death and fetal death records is confidential and exempt from public disclosure.2Florida Legislature. Florida Code 382.008 – Vital Records; Confidentiality The first five digits of the decedent’s Social Security number are also redacted on every public-record copy.1Florida Department of Health. Death Certificates
When the Short Form Is Enough
For most purposes where you simply need to prove someone has died, the short form works. Banks, title companies, and government agencies handling account closures or property transfers routinely accept it. Florida law allows only the short form version to be placed into the public record in the state.3Collier Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Short vs. Long Form Death Certificates
Life insurance is the common exception. Insurers typically require a certified death certificate that includes the cause of death, especially when the death occurred during the policy’s contestable period or involved accidental or unusual circumstances. If you’re filing a life insurance claim, order the long form instead. The long form is restricted: only the decedent’s spouse, parent, adult child, grandchild, or sibling may request it, along with anyone who can show a legal interest through a will, insurance policy, or similar document. Government agencies acting in an official capacity and anyone with a court order can also obtain it.4Florida Legislature. Florida Code 382.025 – Certified Copies of Vital Records; Confidentiality; Research
Who Can Order a Short Form
Any person 18 or older can apply for a certified copy without the cause of death. You do not need to be related to the deceased, and you do not need to explain why you want it.1Florida Department of Health. Death Certificates Photo ID is not required for the short form; the ID requirement only kicks in when you request a certificate that includes the cause of death.5Florida Department of Health. Application for Florida Death or Fetal Death Certificate
Filling Out Form DH 727
The application is Form DH 727, “Application for Florida Death or Fetal Death Certificate.” You can download it from the Florida Department of Health website or pick it up at a local county health department.6Florida Department of Health. Certificates & Records It’s one page.
You’ll need to provide:
- The decedent’s full name as it appears on the death record, sex, date of death, and county where the death occurred. If you don’t know the exact date, the form lets you specify a range of years to search.
- The decedent’s parents’ names, if known. This helps locate the correct file when common names are involved.
- Your full legal name, mailing address, phone number, email, and your relationship to the person on the death record.
- The number of certified copies you want. Ordering extras up front is cheaper than placing a second request later.
Specify clearly that you want a copy without the cause of death. Asking for the cause-of-death version triggers the eligibility and photo ID requirements. Write legibly, since the Bureau processes requests based on what they can read on the form.5Florida Department of Health. Application for Florida Death or Fetal Death Certificate
How to Submit the Application
You have three options: mail, in person, or online through VitalChek.
By Mail
Send the completed Form DH 727 and payment to:
Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
1217 Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32231-00427Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Where to Write for Vital Records – Florida
The fee is $5 for the first certified copy, which includes a search of one calendar year, and $4 for each additional copy. Make your check or money order payable to “Bureau of Vital Statistics.” Don’t send cash. Processing time depends on USPS delivery in both directions plus the Bureau’s current workload.1Florida Department of Health. Death Certificates
In Person
Take the completed application and payment to your local county health department. Many county offices accept cash, checks, money orders, and debit or credit cards. In-person requests are typically processed in about 15 minutes if the record is already in the system.
Online Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the state’s only contracted online vendor for vital records.6Florida Department of Health. Certificates & Records You pay the standard state fee plus a $7 VitalChek service fee and a $10 rush processing fee, so a single copy runs roughly $22 before shipping. A credit or debit card is required.8Florida Department of Health. Order Certificates from VitalChek
Using the Certificate Abroad
If you need to use a Florida death certificate in another country, most foreign governments require an apostille, a standardized authentication confirming the document is legitimate. Florida uses a two-step process: the Bureau of Vital Statistics issues the certified copy, then the Florida Department of State’s Division of Corporations attaches the apostille.9Florida Department of Health. Apostille Certificates You can handle each step separately, or use VitalChek’s apostille service to bundle them. VitalChek coordinates between both agencies and ships the finished document by UPS, with its $7 processing fee on top of both agency fees and two UPS shipping charges, so the total runs meaningfully higher than a standard order.