St Petersburg City death records are official papers that prove a person died in this Florida city. The Pinellas County Health Department issues these records for deaths from 2009 to today.
Older records come from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. You can order a certified copy for legal matters, family history, or insurance needs. This page covers how to get these records, what they cost, and which types exist.
What St Petersburg City Death Records Include
A death record is a legal paper that lists key facts about a person who has died. The paper shows the full name, date of birth, date of death, and place of death. It also lists the cause of death on certain types. The Social Security number may appear on the full version. A parent or spouse name may also be listed. Florida uses a standard format for all death records statewide.
Who Issues These Records
The Florida Department of Health runs the state vital records system. Local county health departments handle records for deaths in their county. For St Petersburg, that means Pinellas County. The county office can issue records for deaths that happened in Pinellas County. They can also issue records for St Petersburg residents who died elsewhere in Florida.
What Records Look Like
Florida death records have a raised state seal. The paper has security features to stop fraud. A registrar signs each paper. The record includes a state file number. The date the state filed the record also appears. Each certified copy has a stamp with the date it was issued.
Where to Order St Petersburg City Death Records
You have three main places to order death records in St Petersburg. Each place handles a different time range of records. Pick the one that matches the death date you need.
Pinellas County Health Department
The county office handles records for deaths from 2009 to the present day. This is the fastest way to get a record. You can walk in and get the paper the same day in most cases. The office is in Largo, which is a short drive from St Petersburg. The address is 8751 Ulmerton Rd., Suite 1700, Largo, FL 33771. Phone: (727) 524-4412. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The state office in Jacksonville holds older records. This includes deaths before 2009. It also holds some records from 1877 to 1930 that are on microfilm. You must order by mail or online. The office does not take walk-in requests. Mail your request to P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. Phone: (904) 359-6900. The state office charges a $10 search fee for each record look-up.
Online Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the official online service for Florida. You can order any Florida death record through this site. The system runs 24 hours a day. You pay a service fee on top of the state fee. Records arrive by mail in 5 to 10 business days. Rush shipping is available for an extra cost.
How to Request Death Records Step by Step
The request process is simple once you know which method fits your needs. Each method takes a different amount of time. Choose based on how fast you need the record and how you want to send your application.
In-Person Request Method
Walking into the Pinellas County office is the fastest way. You fill out a short form at the counter. Staff checks your photo ID. You pay the fee and get the record. Most visits take less than 30 minutes. Bring a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID. You can pay with cash, check, money order, or card.
Mail Request Method
Mail requests work for those who live out of state or cannot visit. Download Form DH 261 from the Florida Department of Health website. Fill out the form with the deceased person’s full name, date of death, and place of death. Include a copy of your photo ID. Add a check or money order for the fee. Mail to the Pinellas County office address. Processing takes 7 to 14 business days.
Online Request Method
Online ordering through VitalChek works from your home or phone. Create an account on vitalchek.com. Search for Florida death certificates. Enter the details of the person who died. Pay with a credit or debit card. The site tracks your order. You get email updates. Records ship by USPS or FedEx based on your choice.
Fees and Payment for Death Records
Florida sets the same fee for death records across the state. The base fee is $10 for the first certified copy. Each extra copy at the same time costs $10. There is a $10 search fee for records from before 2009.
What Each Fee Covers
The base fee covers the search and one certified copy. The search fee covers the cost of looking up old records. VitalChek adds a service fee of $8.50 per order. Rush shipping adds $15 to $25. International shipping costs more based on the country.
Payment Methods by Request Type
In-person payments accept cash, check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Mail payments only accept check or money order made out to the Florida Department of Health. Online payments accept all major credit and debit cards. No fee waivers exist for any reason.
Types of Death Certificates in Florida
Florida offers two main types of death certificates. The type you need depends on why you want the record. Most people only need the public version.
Public Death Certificate
The public version shows the name, date of death, and place of death. It does not show the cause of death. Anyone can order this version. No proof of relationship is needed. Banks, insurance firms, and most agencies accept this type. The fee is $10 per copy.
Confidential Death Certificate
The confidential version adds the cause of death and medical details. Only close family members can order it. You must show proof of your relationship. Spouses, parents, children, and siblings qualify. Legal representatives can also order with proof. The fee is the same $10 per copy. Records before 1977 are open to the public.
Records Before 2009 in St Petersburg
Death records before 2009 are not at the Pinellas County office. They sit in state archives in Jacksonville. You can still get a copy, but the process takes longer and costs more.
Florida Statewide Death Index
Florida created a statewide death index for research. It covers deaths from 1877 to 1930. The index lists the name, year, county, and state certificate number. You can search this index free on the Florida State Archives website. Use this to find the exact record before you order a copy.
Records from 1930 to 2009
Records from this time range are at the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. Each search costs $10 plus the $10 copy fee. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. Some older records may be on microfilm and take longer to copy. You can also use FamilySearch.org to see if a record has been scanned.
Electronic Death Registration System in Florida
Florida uses the Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS) for all deaths from 2009 forward. EDRS is a computer system that funeral homes, doctors, and medical examiners use. They enter death facts into the system right after a person dies. This makes the record available faster at the county office.
How EDRS Helps the Public
EDRS speeds up the time between death and record availability. Most records show up in EDRS within 3 to 5 business days after the funeral home files the paper. This means you can order a copy sooner. Before EDRS, this process took 6 to 8 weeks. EDRS also reduces errors in the record because the data is checked by both the funeral home and the doctor.
Who Can Access EDRS
Only trained professionals can log in to EDRS. Funeral directors, doctors, and medical examiners use it for their jobs. The public cannot log in to EDRS. You can only order the final certified copy through the county or state office. This protects private health data on the record.
Death Records by Florida County
Florida has 67 counties. Each county health department handles death records for deaths in that county. If you need a record from a different county, you must contact that county directly. Here are the main counties near St Petersburg.
Miami-Dade County Death Records
Miami-Dade is the largest county in Florida. The Miami-Dade County Health Department handles death records for deaths in the Miami area. The office is at 1350 NW 14th Street, Miami, FL 33125. Phone: (305) 324-2400. Same-day service is available. The fee is $10 per copy.
Hillsborough County Death Certificates
Hillsborough County covers Tampa, which borders Pinellas County. The Hillsborough County Health Department office is at 1105 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602. Phone: (813) 307-8000. The office issues records for deaths in Hillsborough County. You can order in person or by mail. The fee is the same $10 per copy.
Orange County Florida Death Records
Orange County covers Orlando and the central Florida area. The Orange County Health Department is at 6101 Lake Ellenor Drive, Orlando, FL 32809. Phone: (407) 858-1430. They handle all death records for Orange County. In-person and mail orders are available. The fee is $10 per certified copy.
Special Services for Death Records
Some needs go beyond a basic certified copy. Florida offers extra services for legal and international use. These services cost more and take longer.
Florida Death Certificate Apostille
An apostille is a seal that makes a Florida record valid in other countries. The Florida Secretary of State issues apostilles. You must first get a certified copy from the county or state office. Then mail the certified copy to the Secretary of State in Tallahassee. The apostille fee is $10 per document. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days. You need this for estate matters, dual citizenship, or marriage abroad.
Death Record Verification
Some agencies need to confirm a death record is real. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics offers a verification service. They send a letter that confirms the record exists. The fee is $10 per verification. This is different from a certified copy. Banks and federal agencies sometimes ask for this.
Replacement Death Certificate
If you lost a death certificate, you can order a new one. The process is the same as the first order. You fill out the same form and pay the same fee. The new copy is a full certified copy with a new issue date. There is no extra replacement fee in Florida. You can order as many copies as you need.
Genealogy Research with Death Records
Death records are a key tool for family history research. Florida death records since 1877 are open to the public. Older records can give you parent names, spouse names, and birth places. These facts help you build a family tree.
Where to Search for Free
FamilySearch.org has many Florida death records scanned. You can search by name and view the record. Ancestry.com also has a large collection but requires a paid account. The Florida State Archives website has the death index from 1877 to 1930. You can also check the USGenWeb project for Florida records by county.
What Records Tell You
A death record shows the full name of the person. It lists the date of birth and date of death. The place of death and place of birth are on the record. The parents’ names appear on most records. The spouse’s name may also be listed. The cause of death was added after 1910. The Social Security number appears on records from 1988 forward.
Common Problems and Solutions
Sometimes a request does not go as planned. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them. Most problems have a simple answer.
Record Not Found
If the search comes back with no record, the death may not be in the Florida system. It could be a stillbirth, which Florida does not record. The death may have happened in another state. The name may be spelled wrong on the form. Try a different spelling. The death date may be off by a day or two. Try a wider date range.
Wrong Type of Certificate
If you need the cause of death and ordered a public copy, you must reorder. The state does not exchange a public copy for a confidential one. You must pay the $10 fee again. Always check with the agency that asked for the record to make sure you order the right type.
Long Wait Times
Mail and state office orders can take weeks. If you need the record fast, walk in to the county office. Most county offices give same-day service. VitalChek rush shipping is faster than regular mail. The fastest way is always in person at the local office.
Official Contact Information
Use these contact points to reach the right office for your needs. Phone lines are open during business hours. The websites have forms and updates.
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County: 8751 Ulmerton Rd., Suite 1700, Largo, FL 33771. Phone: (727) 524-4412. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Website: pinellas.floridahealth.gov/certificates/.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics: P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. Phone: (904) 359-6900. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Website: floridahealth.gov/certificates/.
VitalChek Online Ordering: vitalchek.com. Phone: (800) 669-8472. Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Petersburg City Death Records
These answers cover the most common questions about death records in St Petersburg and Florida. Each answer gives you clear facts you can use right away. If your question is not here, call the Pinellas County office for help.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Death Record in St Petersburg?
In-person requests at the Pinellas County office take 15 to 30 minutes. Mail requests take 7 to 14 business days. Online orders through VitalChek take 5 to 10 business days for standard shipping. Rush shipping cuts this to 2 to 3 business days. State office mail orders for old records take 4 to 6 weeks. If you need the record fast, walk in to the county office.
Can Anyone Order a Florida Death Certificate?
Yes, anyone can order a public Florida death certificate. There are no rules on who can ask for the public version. The public version does not show the cause of death. For the confidential version that shows the cause of death, you must be a family member or legal representative. You must show proof of your relationship. The state checks the proof before sending the record.
What Is the Cost of a Death Certificate in Florida?
The base cost is $10 for the first certified copy. Each extra copy at the same time costs $10. A search for an old record from before 2009 costs an extra $10. VitalChek adds a service fee of $8.50 per order. Rush shipping adds $15 to $25. There is no way to get a free certified copy in Florida. Some charities help with fees for low-income families.
Are Florida Death Records Public?
Yes, most Florida death records are public. Records from 1877 to 1977 are open to everyone. Records after 1977 split into two types. The public type is open to anyone. The confidential type with cause of death has rules. After 50 years, all records become fully public. You can search the Florida State Archives for free before 1930.
How Do I Get a Death Certificate for a Family Member Who Died in Florida?
Order through the Pinellas County office if the death was in Pinellas County. Use the state office in Jacksonville for deaths before 2009. You need the full name, date of death, and place of death. You must show your photo ID. The fee is $10 per copy. You can order by mail, in person, or online through VitalChek. The record will be mailed to your home or given to you at the counter.
What Is the Difference Between a Death Certificate and a Death Record?
There is no difference in Florida law. Both terms mean the same legal paper. The paper has the death facts and a state seal. A death certificate is the certified copy you can use for legal matters. A death record is the same paper in the state system. The terms are used the same way on forms and at the office.
Can I Use a Florida Death Certificate in Another State or Country?
Yes, a certified Florida death certificate is valid in all US states. For use in another country, you may need an apostille. The Florida Secretary of State in Tallahassee issues apostilles. The apostille fee is $10. Mail your certified copy to the Secretary of State with a check and a return envelope. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days. Some countries also need a translation.