Lee County death records are official files held by the Florida Department of Health that confirm a person has died in Lee County, Florida. These records include the full name of the deceased, the date of death, the county of death, and the place of burial or disposition.
Families, attorneys, banks, and insurance companies need these records to settle estates, close accounts, claim life insurance, and update property titles. The state of Florida keeps death records under Florida Statute Chapter 382, and Lee County residents can request certified copies from the local office in North Fort Myers or from the state office in Jacksonville.
Lee County Death Records Office and Location
The main office that handles Lee County death records sits in North Fort Myers. This office serves the entire county and issues certified death certificates for deaths that happened in Lee County. Most walk-in customers get their copies the same day they apply.
Florida Department of Health in Lee County
The Florida Department of Health in Lee County operates the vital records office for this region. The office runs under the Bureau of Vital Statistics, which is part of the Florida Department of Health. Staff members process birth and death certificates for the local community. They also answer questions about how to fill out the death certificate application form.
The office is located at 83 Pondella Road in North Fort Myers, Florida 33903. The building sits near Pondella Road and is easy to reach from Fort Myers and Cape Coral.
Counties Served by the Lee County Office
The North Fort Myers office handles death records for three counties. Lee County is the main county served. Glades County and Hendry County residents also use this location. Anyone who lives in these three counties can walk in, mail a request, or order online through the same office.
What Death Records Are Available in Lee County
Two main types of death records exist in Florida. Each type follows different rules about who can see the cause of death. Knowing the difference helps you pick the right record for your needs.
Records from 2009 to the Present
The North Fort Myers office keeps all death certificates filed from 2009 forward. Anyone can request a copy of these records as long as they have valid photo ID. The certificate shows the person’s name, date of birth, date of death, and the county where the death happened. It does not show the cause of death on the public version.
Records Before 2009
Death records filed before 2009 sit at the state office in Jacksonville. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville keeps the full archive. To get a pre-2009 record, you must mail your request to the state office or use the online ordering system. Processing takes longer for older records.
Death Certificates With and Without Cause of Death
Florida law separates death certificates into two versions. The version without cause of death stays open to the public. Banks, insurance firms, and most government agencies accept this version. The version with cause of death stays private for fifty years under Florida Statute 382.025. Only close family members and legal representatives with court papers can request the version with cause of death.
How to Order Lee County Death Records
Three methods exist for ordering Lee County death records. You can walk in, mail a request, or order online. Each method has its own steps, fees, and wait times.
Walk-In Orders at the North Fort Myers Office
Walking in is the fastest way to get a Lee County death certificate. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport. Tell the clerk the full name of the deceased and the date of death. Pay the fee at the counter. Staff print your certified copy while you wait. Most walk-in orders finish in under thirty minutes.
Mail-In Requests
Mailing a request works well for people who do not live near North Fort Myers. Download the Florida death record request form from the Florida Department of Health website. Fill in the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and your contact details. Include a copy of your photo ID. Mail the form, ID copy, and a check or money order to the Lee County office address. Allow ten business days for the office to process and return your copy by mail.
Online Orders Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the only state-approved online vendor for Florida death certificate orders. Go to the VitalChek website and start a death certificate order. Type the name of the deceased, the date of death, and Lee County as the place of death. Pay the state fee plus the VitalChek service fee with a credit card. Most online orders ship in three to five business days. Rush shipping costs more.
Fees and Payment Methods
The fees for Lee County death records follow the statewide price list set by the Florida Department of Health. The base fee covers one certified copy, and each extra copy in the same order costs less.
Standard Fees
The first certified copy of a death certificate costs twelve dollars. Each extra copy of the same death certificate in the same order costs eight dollars. Most people only need one copy, but banks and insurance companies sometimes ask for more than one.
Rush Service Fees
Records filed before 2009 cost more if you need them quickly. Add ten dollars to the base fee for rush service on older records. The rush fee cuts the wait time for mail orders. Walk-in customers do not pay the rush fee because they already get same-day service.
Accepted Payment Types
The North Fort Myers office accepts cash, checks, and money orders for walk-in orders. Make checks payable to the Florida Department of Health. Credit cards are not accepted at the counter. Online orders through VitalChek accept credit and debit cards. Mail orders must include a check or money order because the office does not accept cash through the mail.
Who Can Request Lee County Death Records
Florida law sets clear rules about who can request a death certificate. The rules protect the privacy of the deceased and the family. Knowing the rules before you apply saves time.
Eligible Applicants
Any adult can request a death certificate without cause of death. This version of the record is open to the public. Certified copies of the public version work for closing bank accounts, claiming life insurance, and settling small estates.
Records With Cause of Death
Death certificates that show the cause of death stay restricted for fifty years. Only the spouse, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling of the deceased can request this version. Legal representatives with court papers also qualify. You must show proof of your relationship along with your photo ID when you apply for the restricted version.
Documents Needed to Apply
Every applicant must show a valid photo ID. A driver’s license, state ID, or passport works. If you apply for a restricted record, bring extra proof such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or court order that shows your relationship to the deceased. The clerk will not release the record without these papers.
| Record Type | Who Can Request | Documents Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Public death certificate (no cause of death) | Any adult with valid ID | Photo ID |
| Restricted death certificate (with cause of death) | Spouse, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, or legal representative | Photo ID plus proof of relationship or court order |
| Genealogy research copies (deaths over 50 years old) | Any adult with valid ID | Photo ID |
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics Statewide Records
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds the full state archive of death records. This office works with the Florida Department of Health to manage every death filed in the state. The Jacksonville office is the right place for older records, statewide searches, and special requests.
State Office Location
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics sits at 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202. The office phone number is (904) 359-6900. The office handles mail orders for death records from 1877 to the present. Most files are complete from 1917 forward.
Statewide Florida Death Index
The statewide Florida death index covers every death recorded in the state. Researchers use the index to look up names across all sixty-seven counties. The index is open to the public and helps people who do not know which county the death happened in. You can search the index on the Florida Department of Health website or through FamilySearch.
Historical Florida Death Records 1900 to 1939
Pre-1940 death records sit in the state archive. Many of these older files have been scanned and added to the Florida death records archive. Genealogists and family historians often need these records to trace family lines. You must request pre-1940 records from the Jacksonville office or through FamilySearch, which has free access to many of the older files.
Lee County Death Records for Genealogy Research
Genealogy research is one of the most common reasons people look for death records. Lee County has a rich history, and many families want to trace their roots in Southwest Florida. Several tools help with this kind of research.
FamilySearch and Free Florida Death Records Search
FamilySearch is a free website run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The site holds millions of Florida death records, including many from Lee County. You can search the Florida death records database by name, year, and county. FamilySearch works well for deaths that happened more than fifty years ago. The site also offers free how-to guides for new researchers.
Florida Obituary Search
Obituaries give extra details that death certificates do not include. You can search Florida obituary records through local newspaper websites, the Lee County Public Library, and online obituary databases. Many obituaries list the names of family members, the names of grandchildren, and the cause of death. Pairing an obituary with a death certificate gives a fuller picture of a person’s life.
Pre-1940 Records and Florida Death Records Archive
Records filed before 1940 are in the Florida death records archive. Some of these records are still handwritten on old paper forms. The state archive has scanned most of them, and researchers can view digital copies by request. Older records may have different spelling of names, so researchers should search for alternate spellings.
Death Records in Nearby Florida Counties
Lee County sits on the southwest coast of Florida. Several other counties share borders with Lee County. If the death you need happened in a nearby county, you must contact that county’s vital records office.
Surrounding County Offices
Charlotte County, Collier County, Glades County, and Hendry County all border Lee County. Charlotte County death records are handled by the Florida Department of Health in Port Charlotte. Collier County death records are filed in Naples. Glades and Hendry County records are filed through the same North Fort Myers office that serves Lee County. Each office follows the same state rules but has its own address and hours.
Medical Examiner Reports
Death certificates are different from autopsy reports. The Lee County death certificate shows the basic facts of the death. Autopsy reports come from the District 21 Medical Examiner at 70 South Danley Drive in Fort Myers. Call (239) 533-6339 to ask about autopsy reports. The Medical Examiner handles all death investigations in Lee County and handles the records for deaths that needed an official inquiry.
Lee County Death Records Contact Details
Below are the contact details for the office that handles Lee County death records. These details are current as of 2026. Call the office before you visit to confirm hours and fees.
Office Contact
Florida Department of Health in Lee County. Address: 83 Pondella Rd, North Fort Myers, FL 33903. Phone: (239) 332-9572. Website: https://lee.floridahealth.gov/certificates. The office answers phone calls during business hours. Email support is not available for death record requests.
Office Map
The Lee County vital records office is on Pondella Road in North Fort Myers. View the location on Google Maps: 83 Pondella Rd, North Fort Myers, FL 33903. Parking is free at the building.
Visiting Hours
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes for state holidays. Walk-in customers should arrive before 4:00 p.m. to allow time for processing. Mail orders received after 2:00 p.m. start processing the next business day.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Florida Department of Health in Lee County |
| Address | 83 Pondella Rd, North Fort Myers, FL 33903 |
| Phone | (239) 332-9572 |
| Website | lee.floridahealth.gov/certificates |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Records Available | Death certificates from 2009 to present |
| Base Fee | $12 for first copy, $8 for each extra copy |
Frequently Asked Questions About Lee County Death Records
This section answers the most common questions about Lee County death records. The answers cover fees, wait times, eligibility, and special cases like stillbirth records and apostilles. Each answer gives clear, simple steps so you can act on the answer right away.
How long does it take to get a death certificate in Florida?
Walk-in orders at the North Fort Myers office take about thirty minutes. Mail orders take ten business days from the date the office receives your form. Online orders through VitalChek take three to five business days plus shipping time. Rush service is available for mail and online orders at an extra fee of ten dollars. The wait time starts when the office gets your full request, so missing documents will slow the process.
Can I get a free Florida death records search?
You can search for free using the FamilySearch website, the Florida death index on the Florida Department of Health site, and local library obituary archives. These free searches help you confirm that a record exists. You must still pay the state fee to get a certified copy. The state fee is twelve dollars for the first copy and eight dollars for each extra copy.
What is the Florida death certificate apostille process?
An apostille is a stamp that proves a Florida death certificate is valid in a foreign country. You must first get a certified copy of the death certificate from the Lee County office. Then mail the certified copy to the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee. The Department of State adds the apostille and mails the document back. The apostille process takes two to three weeks. The fee for the apostille is ten dollars.
Are Florida stillbirth records treated like death records?
Florida stillbirth records follow a different process than regular death certificates. A stillbirth is a fetal death that happens after twenty weeks. The Florida Department of Health issues a Certificate of Fetal Death instead of a death certificate. Parents can request this certificate for benefits, burial purposes, and grief support. The fee and ordering process are the same as for a regular death certificate.
Can I change a name on a Florida death certificate?
Name changes on a Florida death certificate are limited. The Florida Department of Health will only change a name if the original record has a clerical error. You must file an affidavit and show proof of the error. The fee for an amended certificate is twelve dollars. The office will not change a name based on a legal name change after death.
What Florida death records are open to the public?
Death certificates without the cause of death are open to the public for any death in Florida. This rule covers all deaths filed from 2009 to the present at the county level. Records filed over fifty years ago are also open to the public, including the cause of death. The cause of death on recent records stays private under Florida Statute 382.025 for fifty years.
Can I order a death certificate by mail for someone who died in another Florida county?
Yes. The North Fort Myers office will mail a request to the correct county office for you. Fill out the state death record request form and write the name of the county where the death happened. Add the state search fee of five dollars. The office will send the search and return the certificate to you by mail. This service takes longer than ordering directly from the correct county office.