Death Certificates

Requesting cause of death information

By law, death certificates with "Cause of Death" information can only be issued to:

1. The decedent's spouse
2. A parent
3. A child of the decedent (if of legal age)
4. A grandchild of the decedent
5. A sibling
6. Any person who provides a will, insurance policy or other document demonstrating their interest in the estate of the decedent
7. Any person who provides documentation that he or she is acting on the behalf of any of the before named persons.
8. By court order directing Vital Statistics to issue a death record to a specific individual.

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 to:

• The decedent's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling (if 18 years of age or older).
• 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;
• 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.