Boca Raton city death records are official documents that prove someone passed away in Boca Raton, Florida. These records come from the Palm Beach County Health Department, not from Boca Raton city offices.
Florida law sends all death record requests through county health departments. This system keeps records safe and easy to track. Whether you need a record for legal matters, insurance claims, or family history, this page shows you exactly where to go, what to bring, and how much it costs in 2026.
How Florida Handles Death Records
Florida uses a county-based system for death records. Every county has a health department that handles vital records for cities within its borders. Boca Raton sits inside Palm Beach County. So the Palm Beach County Health Department takes care of all death records for Boca Raton residents. This setup started decades ago and still works the same way today.
Why Boca Raton City Office Does Not Issue Records
Boca Raton city hall handles building permits, local taxes, and city services. Death records fall under state vital records law. The Florida Department of Health controls all birth and death certificates in the state. Cities do not store or issue these records. Anyone who needs a death record for a Boca Raton resident must contact the county or state office. This rule applies even if the person died inside Boca Raton city limits.
The Role of the Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health runs the Bureau of Vital Statistics. This bureau keeps the master copy of every death record in Florida. County health departments act as local partners. They process requests and send copies to families. The state office in Jacksonville handles older records from before 2009. It also keeps the Florida Statewide Death Index. This index lets people search for deaths across the whole state.
Palm Beach County Health Department Details
The Palm Beach County Health Department serves all cities in the county. Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach all use the same office. The main office sits in downtown West Palm Beach. A second location operates in Delray Beach for added convenience.
Main Office Location and Hours
The main office stands at 800 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes on weekends and state holidays. Most walk-in customers finish their visit in under thirty minutes during slow hours. The lunch hour between noon and 1:00 p.m. tends to be the busiest time.
Contact Information
You can reach the Palm Beach County Health Department by phone at (561) 671-4013. The official website is palmbeach.floridahealth.gov. Staff answer phone calls during business hours. Email requests go through the state vital records system. Phone orders for death certificates are not accepted. You must visit in person, mail your request, or order online.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County |
| Street Address | 800 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |
| Phone Number | (561) 671-4013 |
| Business Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Official Website | palmbeach.floridahealth.gov/certificates/ |
| Records Available | 2009 to Present |
Types of Death Certificates Available
Florida issues two main types of death certificates. Each type shows different information. Each type has different rules about who can request it. Boca Raton residents can ask for either type through the Palm Beach County office.
Public Death Certificate Without Cause of Death
This certificate works for most legal needs. It shows the person’s full legal name. It lists the date and place of death. It does not show any medical details. Anyone can request this type of certificate. You do not need to prove a family connection. Banks, insurance companies, and courts all accept this version. The fee is the same as the confidential version.
Confidential Death Certificate With Cause of Death
This certificate includes the medical cause of death. It may show diseases, injuries, or other factors that led to the passing. Florida law protects this information for 50 years after the death. Only certain people can get this version. Spouses, parents, children, and siblings qualify. Legal representatives of the estate also qualify. A court order can grant access to others.
Who Can Request Each Type
Public certificates require no proof of relationship. Anyone with a valid photo ID can order one. Confidential certificates require proof of relationship plus a valid photo ID. Acceptable proof includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, or court documents. The Palm Beach County office checks all documents before releasing confidential records.
Fees and Payment Methods
Florida law sets the fees for death certificates. The price stays the same across all counties. Boca Raton residents pay the standard state rate. Fees have not changed for 2026.
Standard Fees for Boca Raton Residents
The first certified copy costs $10. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $10 more. Ordering multiple copies at once saves money. Separate requests later cost another full fee each time. Most people only need one or two copies for their paperwork.
Extra Charges for Older Records
Records from before 2009 carry an extra $10 state search fee. This fee covers the cost of pulling old files from state archives. The search fee applies even if no record is found. All fees are non-refundable. Plan ahead and confirm the death date before requesting old records.
Accepted Payment Methods
Walk-in customers can pay with cash, check, money order, or credit card. Mail requests require check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Do not send cash through the mail. Online orders through VitalChek accept major credit and debit cards. Payment is due at the time of the request.
| Service Type | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| First Certified Copy | $10 |
| Each Additional Copy | $10 |
| State Search Fee for Pre-2009 Records | $10 |
| VitalChek Online Processing Fee | Varies by shipping speed |
How to Request Death Records in Boca Raton
You have three ways to request Boca Raton city death records. Each method works for different needs. Walk-in requests finish the fastest. Mail requests work for people who live far away. Online requests through VitalChek offer convenience.
Walk-In Requests at the County Office
Walking into the Palm Beach County Health Department gives you same-day service in most cases. Bring a valid government photo ID. The name on your ID should match your request. Fill out the application form at the counter. Staff review your form and check your ID. You pay the fee and receive your certificate before you leave. The whole visit takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
Mail Requests From Out of Town
Mail requests work for people who live outside the area. Download the Florida death certificate application form from the state website. Fill in all required fields about the person who passed away. Include your contact information. Attach a copy of your photo ID. Include a check or money order for the total fee. Mail the package to the Palm Beach County Health Department address. Processing takes about two weeks. Mail comes back through the U.S. Postal Service.
Online Requests Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the state-approved online service for Florida vital records. The website runs 24 hours a day. You can place an order at any time. Start at vitalchek.com and select Florida. Choose death certificate from the menu. Enter the deceased person’s full name, date of death, and place of death. Provide your shipping address and contact details. Pay with a credit or debit card. VitalChek adds a processing fee on top of the state certificate fee. Standard shipping takes 3 to 5 business days. Express shipping cuts that time down.
Florida Statewide Death Index and Older Records
Records from 2009 forward stay at the Palm Beach County office. Older records live at the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. The Florida Statewide Death Index covers deaths from 1877 to 1939. Some records from later years also exist in the index.
Records Before 2009
Deaths in Boca Raton from 2009 to today are filed at the county level. Deaths before 2009 sit in state archives. To get a pre-2009 death certificate, you must request it through the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The state office can search the statewide death index. They can pull old records from microfilm or digital scans. Mail your request to the state office with the required fee.
Florida Statewide Death Index 1877 to 1939
The Florida Statewide Death Index lists deaths from 1877 through 1939. The index shows the person’s name, county of death, year of death, and certificate number. You can search this index on FamilySearch.org for free. The index helps genealogists and family historians. Once you find an entry, you can order the full certificate from the state.
Genealogy and Historical Research
Many people search for Boca Raton death records for family history. Genealogy research takes patience. Free and paid databases help you find ancestors.
FamilySearch Florida Deaths
FamilySearch.org offers free access to Florida death records. The site has images of death certificates from 1900 to 1959. You can search by name, year, and county. The site requires a free account to view records. FamilySearch partners with the Florida State Archives. Their collection grows as more records get digitized.
Ancestry Florida Death Records
Ancestry.com hosts a large collection of Florida death certificates. Their database includes records from 1900 to 1959. The site charges a subscription fee. Ancestry images include the full death certificate. You can save and print copies for your records. Ancestry also links death records to other family tree data.
Common Uses for Death Certificates
Death certificates serve many legal and financial purposes. Most families need certified copies within the first few weeks after a passing.
Estate Settlement and Probate Court
Probate courts require a certified death certificate to start the estate process. Banks need it to close accounts. Investment firms need it to transfer assets. The court may ask for several certified copies. Order extras at the time of your first request to save money later.
Insurance and Benefit Claims
Life insurance companies ask for a death certificate before paying claims. Social Security requires a certificate to stop benefits and pay survivor benefits. Pension plans need it to release funds to spouses. Each company has its own rules about which type of certificate they accept.
Banking and Property Matters
Banks freeze accounts when they learn of a passing. They need a death certificate to release funds to heirs. Title companies need it to transfer property. The DMV needs it to update vehicle titles. Each step in settling an estate starts with this one document.
Florida Vital Statistics Office Contact for Older Records
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville keeps older records. Mail requests for pre-2009 deaths to this office. The state office also handles corrections and amendments to existing records.
The Bureau of Vital Statistics office sits at 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The phone number is (904) 359-6900. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The state office website is floridahealth.gov/certificates. Mail requests should include the same items as county mail requests. Allow extra time for state processing.
Important Office Details at a Glance
Keep these details handy when you contact either office. Both offices follow the same fee schedule. Both offices require a valid photo ID. Phone orders are not accepted at either location.
| Office | Address | Phone | Records Handled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach County Health Department | 800 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 | (561) 671-4013 | 2009 to Present |
| Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics | 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 | (904) 359-6900 | All Years Including Pre-2009 |
Official Website: palmbeach.floridahealth.gov/certificates/
State Website: floridahealth.gov/certificates
Online Ordering Service: vitalchek.com
Frequently Asked Questions About Boca Raton City Death Records
This section answers the most common questions people ask about Boca Raton city death records. These answers reflect the current 2026 rules and fees. Always call the office to confirm details before you make the trip. Records and rules can change without notice.
Can I Get a Boca Raton Death Record From the City Office?
No. Boca Raton city hall does not handle death records. The city issues business licenses and handles local taxes. Death records fall under state law. The Palm Beach County Health Department handles all death records for Boca Raton. You can visit the office in West Palm Beach, mail your request, or order online through VitalChek. The county office processes everything the same day for walk-in customers.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Death Certificate in Florida?
Walk-in requests at the Palm Beach County office finish in about 15 to 30 minutes. Mail requests take about two weeks to process. Online orders through VitalChek arrive in 3 to 5 business days with standard shipping. Express shipping cuts that time down to 1 to 2 business days. Mail delays can happen around holidays. Plan ahead for time-sensitive matters.
What Documents Do I Need to Request a Death Certificate?
You need a valid government photo ID. Acceptable IDs include a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID. For confidential certificates with cause of death, you also need proof of your relationship to the deceased. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, or court orders work. The office checks all documents before releasing records.
Are Florida Death Records Public?
Public death certificates without cause of death are open to anyone. Anyone with a photo ID can request one. Confidential certificates with cause of death have a 50-year restriction. After 50 years, the cause of death becomes public. Florida law protects medical information to respect family privacy. The public version still proves the death for legal matters.
Can I Search for Free Florida Death Records?
FamilySearch.org offers free searches of the Florida Statewide Death Index. The index covers 1877 to 1939. FamilySearch also has images of death certificates from 1900 to 1959. You need a free account to view the images. The Palm Beach County office does not offer free searches. Each request costs at least $10 for a certified copy.
What If I Cannot Find the Death Record?
Records from before 2009 may not be in the county system. Mail your request to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Staff there search state archives. The state charges a $10 search fee for older records. If no record exists, the search fee is not refunded. Double-check the death date and spelling before you order.
How Do I Correct an Error on a Florida Death Certificate?
Corrections go through the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. You must fill out an amendment form. You need documents that prove the correct information. Common corrections include spelling errors and wrong dates. The state charges a fee for amendments. Mail your amendment request to the Jacksonville office. Processing takes several weeks.