Hollywood city death records are official documents that prove someone passed away in Hollywood, Florida, or in Broward County. The city of Hollywood does not issue or store these records.
The Florida Department of Health in Broward County handles all death certificate requests for Hollywood residents. These records serve as legal proof of death. Families need them to settle estates, claim life insurance, close bank accounts, and handle property transfers. Death records also support genealogy research and legal matters. This page explains exactly how to get a death certificate in Hollywood, who qualifies, what the fees are, and where to find older historical records.
How Hollywood Death Records Work in Florida
Florida law requires that all death records go through the county or state health department. Hollywood, as a city, does not run its own vital records office. The Florida Department of Health in Broward County manages all death certificates for people who died in Hollywood or in any part of Broward County. This system started to protect sensitive personal data and to keep records accurate.
The Role of the Broward County Health Department
The Broward County Health Department acts as the local source for Hollywood death records. Anyone can walk in, mail a request, or order online. The office issues certified copies that carry the state seal. These certified copies are the only ones banks, courts, and government agencies will accept. The office also stores records for deaths that happened from 2009 to the present. For deaths before 2009, the office forwards the request to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.
The Role of the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville is the state-level office. It keeps older death records, archives, and statewide data. The Bureau also issues copies for deaths that took place in other Florida counties. If a Hollywood resident needs a death record from Miami-Dade County, Orange County, or Hillsborough County, the state office can help. The Bureau also handles apostille requests, which are needed for foreign legal use.
| Office | Records Covered | Service Area |
|---|---|---|
| Broward County Health Department | 2009 to present | Hollywood and all Broward County cities |
| Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics | All years, including pre-2009 | All Florida counties and statewide |
| VitalChek (Online) | 2009 to present | Broward County only |
How to Get a Death Certificate in Hollywood
There are three ways to order a death certificate in Hollywood. The fastest method is in person at the Broward County Health Department. Mail and online options also work well for people who cannot visit during business hours. Each method has its own rules, fees, and waiting times.
Walk-In Requests at the Broward County Office
Walk-in requests get same-day service in most cases. Visit the Florida Department of Health in Broward County at 2421-A S.W. 6th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bring a valid photo ID, payment, and the required information about the person who died. The clerk will check your identity, pull the record, and print the certificate while you wait. Busy periods can cause longer wait times, so arriving early in the day helps.
Mail-In Requests
Mail requests work for people who live outside the area or who cannot visit in person. Download the Florida death record application from the state health website. Fill out every section. Include a copy of your photo ID. Include a check or money order for the full amount. Mail the package to the Broward County Health Department. Processing takes about 10 to 14 business days. Mail delays may extend the wait during peak seasons.
Online Orders Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the official online partner of the Florida Department of Health. Their system lets you order death certificates from any computer or phone. The system covers 2009 to present for Broward County. You enter the deceased person’s full legal name, date of death, and place of death. You also enter your contact and delivery details. Pay with a credit or debit card. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days plus shipping time. VitalChek adds its own service fee on top of the state fee.
- Go to the VitalChek website and select Florida.
- Enter the deceased person’s name, date of death, and county of death.
- Select the type of certificate you need.
- Provide your contact and shipping details.
- Pay the certificate fee plus the processing fee.
- Track the order through your confirmation email.
Who Can Request a Florida Death Certificate
Florida law lists who can request a death certificate. Public certificates are open to anyone. Confidential certificates with medical details have strict rules. Florida Statute 382.025 controls all access. Knowing the difference helps avoid delays or rejected applications.
Public Death Certificate Access
A public death certificate shows the person’s name, date of death, and place of death. It does not list cause of death. Any person can order a public death certificate. No proof of relationship is required. Most legal and financial tasks only need this version. Banks, insurance companies, courts, and federal agencies accept public certificates.
Confidential Death Certificate Access
A confidential death certificate includes the cause of death and other medical facts. Only certain people can order this version. Eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, a parent, an adult child, a sibling, a legal representative, or a person with a court order. You must show proof of your relationship. You also need a valid photo ID. Florida holds these medical details private for 50 years after the date of death.
| Certificate Type | What It Includes | Who Can Order |
|---|---|---|
| Public Death Certificate | Name, date, place of death | Anyone |
| Confidential Death Certificate | Public facts plus cause of death and medical details | Family, legal representatives, court order holders |
| Informational Copy | Same as public but stamped “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity” | Anyone |
Fees and Payment Methods for Hollywood Death Records
Florida sets the fees for all death certificates. The Broward County Health Department collects these fees on behalf of the state. Knowing the current cost helps you send the right payment and avoid delays.
Standard Death Certificate Fees
The first certified copy of a death certificate costs $10. Each additional copy of the same record costs $10. Many people order multiple copies so they can handle several tasks at once. The fee applies whether the death took place in Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, or any other Broward County city. All fees are non-refundable, even if the search finds no record.
Payment Options
Payment options depend on the request method. Walk-in customers can pay with cash, check, money order, or credit and debit cards. Mail requests must include a check or money order made out to the Florida Department of Health. Online orders through VitalChek accept major credit and debit cards. VitalChek adds its own processing fee, which ranges from a few dollars to more than $20 depending on the shipping speed you select.
Historical Record Fees
Records from before 2009 require a $10 state archive fee. This fee covers the cost of pulling the record from the state archive in Jacksonville. The fee applies even if no record is found. Genealogy researchers should plan for this extra charge when searching old Florida death records from the early 1900s.
Florida Death Records for Genealogy and Historical Research
Genealogy researchers often need old Florida death records. Hollywood itself only became a city in 1925, but the surrounding area has a much longer history. Researchers looking for ancestors who died in South Florida between 1900 and 1959 should contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics directly. Older records may also exist in church books, cemetery records, and newspaper archives.
Florida Death Index and SSDI Records
The Florida death index is a searchable database that lists deaths reported in the state. The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) is a separate federal database that records deaths reported to the Social Security Administration. Both tools help genealogists narrow down the right person before ordering a certified copy. Researchers can search these indexes for free on genealogy platforms. After locating a match, they can order a certified copy from the state or county office.
Historical Records Before 2009
Death records before 2009 live at the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The Bureau office is located at 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The phone number is (904) 359-6900. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Bureau can search records dating back to 1865, when Florida first started keeping vital records. Mail requests for older records take longer to process because staff must pull them from physical archives.
Obituary Records and Newspaper Archives
Obituaries offer another way to confirm a death. Many Florida newspapers have digital archives that go back decades. The Sun-Sentinel covers Broward County, including Hollywood. The Miami Herald covers South Florida news. Local libraries in Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale also keep microfilm records of older newspapers. Obituaries do not replace an official death certificate, but they help with research and can provide leads for ordering the right record.
Special Death Record Requests in Florida
Some situations need special handling. Out-of-state requests, foreign use, and stillbirth records all follow different rules. Knowing these rules saves time and prevents rejected applications.
Apostille for Death Certificates Used Abroad
An apostille is a state certification that makes a document valid in countries that joined the Hague Convention. People who need a Florida death certificate for legal use in a foreign country must first get a certified copy and then request an apostille from the Florida Department of State. The apostille office is in Tallahassee. The process takes several weeks. Plan ahead if the document is needed for an estate, property transfer, or family matter overseas.
Stillbirth Records
Florida also keeps stillbirth records. A stillbirth is a fetal death that happens after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The Florida Department of Health issues a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth. Parents, legal guardians, and certain family members can request this document. The fee is the same as a standard death certificate. The record helps parents with grief support, hospital release, and funeral planning.
Requests From Other Florida Counties
Hollywood residents sometimes need death records from other Florida counties. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics handles all out-of-county requests. Residents of Miami-Dade County, Hillsborough County, Orange County, Duval County, and other counties can also order their records through the same state office. Each county has its own local office, but the state office covers all counties for mail and online orders.
| County | Local Health Department Role |
|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County | Handles death records for Miami and nearby cities |
| Hillsborough County | Handles death records for Tampa and nearby cities |
| Orange County | Handles death records for Orlando and nearby cities |
| Duval County | Handles death records for Jacksonville and nearby cities |
| Broward County | Handles death records for Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, and nearby cities |
Death Certificate Replacement and Verification
People often lose or damage a death certificate. The state and county offices handle replacement requests the same way as a first-time order. You still need the same details about the deceased, and you still pay the same fee. Replacement copies carry the same legal weight as the original.
How to Replace a Lost Death Certificate
To replace a lost death certificate, follow the same process as a new request. Walk in, mail, or order online. There is no extra fee for a replacement. The clerk issues a new certified copy with the same state seal. Make sure to keep the new copy in a safe place. Many people order several copies at once so they have spares for future legal matters.
Death Record Verification
Some agencies require verification of a death certificate. Verification confirms the certificate is real and was issued by the state. The Florida Department of State offers a verification service. Banks, courts, and federal agencies sometimes ask for verification when they suspect fraud or when the document is old. The verification process takes extra time and may add a small fee.
Common Problems When Requesting Hollywood Death Records
Some requests get rejected or delayed. Common reasons include missing information, wrong payment amounts, and unclear signatures. Avoiding these mistakes speeds up the process.
Missing or Wrong Information
The most common reason for a delay is missing details. The clerk needs the full legal name of the deceased, the date of death, and the place of death. If the person died in a Hollywood hospital, the place of death is Hollywood, Broward County, Florida. If the person died at home, the place of death is the home address. An incorrect date of birth can also cause a delay if the clerk cannot confirm the record.
ID and Proof of Relationship Issues
Walk-in customers must show a valid photo ID. Accepted IDs include a Florida driver’s license, a state-issued ID card, a U.S. passport, a military ID, and certain other government documents. Expired IDs are not accepted. Confidential certificate requests also need proof of relationship, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or court order.
Payment Mistakes
Mail requests that include a check for the wrong amount get returned. Online requests that fail payment verification get canceled. Always double-check the total amount, including the $10 certificate fee, any additional copies, the $10 archive fee for older records, and the VitalChek processing fee. Make checks and money orders payable to the Florida Department of Health.
Hollywood Death Records Contact Details
For all in-person, mail, and phone requests, contact the Florida Department of Health in Broward County. The office handles all Hollywood death records from 2009 to the present. Walk-in service runs Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone support is available during the same hours.
Office: Florida Department of Health in Broward County
Address: 2421-A S.W. 6th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Phone: (954) 467-4839
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Website: broward.floridahealth.gov/certificates/
For older records, statewide requests, and genealogy research, contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.
Office: Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
Address: 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 359-6900
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Website: floridahealth.gov/certificates/certificates/
Frequently Asked Questions About Hollywood City Death Records
The questions below cover common concerns about death records in Hollywood, Florida. They address issues like who can order a record, what the fees are, and how to handle special cases. Each answer offers clear, practical steps based on Florida law and current health department rules.
How long does it take to get a death certificate in Hollywood?
Walk-in requests at the Broward County Health Department usually finish the same day. Mail requests take about 10 to 14 business days, plus mailing time each way. Online orders through VitalChek take 3 to 5 business days for processing, plus the shipping time you select. Older records from before 2009 take longer because the state Bureau of Vital Statistics must pull them from the archive. Plan ahead for any request tied to a court deadline or travel date.
Can I get a death certificate if I am not a family member?
Yes, for a public death certificate, anyone can order one. No proof of relationship is required. You only need the deceased person’s full name, date of death, and place of death. A valid photo ID is required for walk-in and mail requests. For a confidential certificate that includes cause of death, you must be a spouse, parent, adult child, sibling, legal representative, or court order holder. Proof of relationship and a valid photo ID are required for confidential requests.
What if I do not know the exact date of death?
If you do not know the exact date, you can search the Social Security Death Index or the Florida death index online. These free databases list the death year for most people who died in the United States. Once you find the year, contact the Broward County Health Department or the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. The clerk can run a search using a range of dates, but each search still costs the standard fee, and the fee is non-refundable even if no record is found.
Can I use a Florida death certificate in another country?
Yes, but you must first get a certified copy from the Broward County Health Department or the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. Then you need an apostille from the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee. The apostille certifies the document for legal use in countries that joined the Hague Convention. For countries that did not join, you may need full authentication through the U.S. Department of State. The process takes several weeks, so plan ahead.
What is the difference between a certified copy and an informational copy?
A certified copy has the state seal and is accepted for all legal and financial matters. An informational copy also lists the same public facts but is stamped “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity.” Informational copies cost the same as certified copies and work for personal records, family history, and non-legal reference. Banks, courts, and government agencies will not accept an informational copy for official use.
How far back do Florida death records go?
Florida started keeping statewide death records in 1865. Records before 1917 are not complete for every county. Broward County was created in 1915, so most local death records for Hollywood start in the 1920s. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds all records before 2009. The Broward County Health Department holds records from 2009 to the present. Researchers working on older records should contact the state office first.
What should I do if my application is rejected?
If your application is rejected, the office will send you a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons include missing information, no signature, wrong payment amount, or unreadable ID copy. Fix the issue, gather the missing items, and resubmit. Walk-in customers can fix most issues on the spot with the clerk. Mail customers should call the office to confirm the right steps before resending the package. The original fee is not refunded, but the resubmission usually does not need a new fee.