Nassau County death records are official documents that prove a person died in Nassau County, Florida. These records are kept by the Florida Department of Health.
The local office sits in Fernandina Beach. You can get a certified copy for legal, family, or personal reasons. This page covers how to order, who can ask for one, what it costs, and where else to look in Florida.
What Nassau County Death Records Are and Why They Matter
A death record is a legal paper that shows someone has passed away. It is signed by a doctor or medical examiner. The state of Florida uses these records to track vital events. Banks, courts, and insurance companies ask for them. Families also need them to settle property, close accounts, and update records.
What Information Appears on a Florida Death Certificate
A Florida death certificate shows the full name of the person who died. It lists the date of death and the place of death. The cause of death is also included. The certificate shows the date of birth, the Social Security number, and the parents’ names. It also lists the funeral home that handled the body.
Who Keeps These Records in Nassau County
The Florida Department of Health in Nassau County keeps death records from 2009 to the present day. The office is at 1620 Nectarine Street in Fernandina Beach. Before 2009, the State Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds the older files. The State Archives in Tallahassee has records from earlier years.
The Law That Controls Access
Florida Statute Chapter 382 controls all death records in the state. The law says who can get a copy and when. It sets a 50-year privacy period for most death records. After 50 years, the records become open to the public. This law applies to every county in Florida, including Nassau.
Where to Order Nassau County Death Records
You have three main places to get a death certificate in Nassau County. The local health department handles recent records. The state office in Jacksonville can also help. Online vendors work for those who cannot visit in person. Each option has its own steps and timing.
The Nassau County Health Department Office
The Florida Department of Health in Nassau County is the main source for death records from 2009 to today. The address is 1620 Nectarine Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. The phone number is (904) 548-1800. You can walk in during business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
| Office Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Florida Department of Health in Nassau County |
| Street Address | 1620 Nectarine Street |
| City, State, ZIP | Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 |
| Phone Number | (904) 548-1800 |
| Website | nassau.floridahealth.gov |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Records Available | 2009 to present |
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville
The state Bureau of Vital Statistics is in Jacksonville. The office address is 1217 North Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The phone number is (904) 359-6900. This office keeps Florida death records from 2009 to the present. It also offers statewide services. The Jacksonville office processes mail-in requests for the whole state.
Authorized Online Ordering Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the only online vendor approved by the State of Florida. You can order through vitalchek.com anytime. The site accepts credit and debit cards. Each order has a service fee on top of the state fee. Orders go through the same state system used by local offices.
Three Ways to Request a Death Certificate
You can order a Nassau County death certificate in person, by mail, or online. Each method gives you a certified copy with the state seal. The choice depends on how fast you need it and how you want to pay. All three methods require proof that you have a legal right to the record.
Walk-In Requests at the Local Office
Walking in is the fastest way to get a death certificate. You fill out a short form at the counter. Staff check your ID and your link to the person. If all is in order, they print the certificate while you wait. Most walk-in orders finish the same day. Bring a valid photo ID and a way to pay.
- Visit the Nassau County Health Department at 1620 Nectarine Street, Fernandina Beach.
- Fill out the death certificate application form at the front desk.
- Show a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Prove your relationship to the person who died.
- Pay the fee by cash, check, or money order.
- Wait for staff to print your certified copy.
Mail-In Requests to the State Office
Mail requests work for those who live far away. You download the application form from the Florida Department of Health website. Fill it out and sign it. Include a copy of your photo ID. Add a check or money order for the correct amount. Mail everything to the Jacksonville office in a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Download Form DH 261 from the Florida Department of Health website.
- Complete every field on the form, including the full name and date of death.
- Make a copy of your valid photo ID.
- Include a check or money order for the total fee.
- Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return mailing.
- Mail the packet to 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
Online Requests Through VitalChek
Online ordering works 24 hours a day through vitalchek.com. You enter the details of the person who died. You upload a copy of your ID. You pay the fee and the service charge by card. VitalChek sends the order to the state system. Most online orders process in 3 to 5 business days. Rush shipping is an option for an extra fee.
Fees and Payment Methods for Death Certificates
The State of Florida sets the cost of certified death certificates. Fees are the same across all counties. Nassau County follows the same price list as every other Florida county. Payment rules depend on the method you choose to order.
Standard Cost of Each Copy
The first certified copy of a death certificate costs $12. Each extra copy in the same order costs $8. Most people only need one copy. You might want extras if several banks or agencies need the same record. Each certified copy is a legal original that can be used in court.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $12.00 |
| Each additional copy | $8.00 |
| VitalChek service fee | Varies by order |
| Rush shipping | Extra fee applies |
| Apostille processing | Extra fee applies |
Payment Methods Accepted
The Nassau County office accepts cash, checks, and money orders in person. Checks and money orders should be made out to the Florida Department of Health. The online VitalChek site accepts major credit and debit cards. Mail orders only accept checks and money orders. Do not send cash through the mail.
Extra Fees for Rush Service
Rush service is available for an added fee through VitalChek. The standard online order takes 3 to 5 business days. Rush orders arrive in 1 to 2 business days. The rush fee depends on the shipping option you choose. Local walk-in orders already give you same-day service with no extra charge.
Who Can Order a Death Certificate in Florida
Florida law limits who can get a certified death certificate. The state protects each person’s records. Only people with a legal or personal reason can order. This rule applies to all Florida counties, including Nassau. The rules change once a record is more than 50 years old.
Eligible People Who Can Order
The spouse, parents, or children of the person who died can order a death certificate. Brothers, sisters, and grandparents can also order. A legal guardian, attorney, or executor of the estate has the right to order. A person with a court order can also get a copy. Funeral directors and medical staff can order for work purposes.
What ID You Need to Show
A valid photo ID is required for every order. A driver’s license works for most people. A state ID, passport, or military ID are also accepted. You must also prove your relationship to the person who died. A birth certificate, marriage license, or court paper may be needed. The office reviews each request on a case-by-case basis.
Privacy Period Rules
Florida keeps most death records private for 50 years. During this time, only eligible family members and legal agents can order. After 50 years, the records become public. Anyone can then view and copy them. This rule helps protect the family of the person who died.
Florida Death Records From Before 2009
The Nassau County office only keeps records from 2009 to today. Older death records are kept at the state level. The Florida State Archives also holds historical death files. Researchers and family historians often need these older records for genealogy work.
Where Older Florida Death Records Are Stored
The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville keeps statewide death records from 2009 to the present. Records from 1917 to 2009 are stored at the State Office of Vital Statistics. Records before 1917 are at the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee. The Archives also keeps microfilm copies of older files.
Florida State Archives and Historical Records
The Florida State Archives is in Tallahassee. The address is 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. The phone number is (850) 245-6719. The Archives holds death records from 1877 to 2009. Many of these are on microfilm. You can visit in person or hire a researcher.
Genealogy Research With Florida Death Records
Family historians use Florida death records to build family trees. Older records show parent names, birth places, and burial details. The FamilySearch website has a free Florida death index from 1900 to 1959. The Social Security Death Index also covers many Florida residents. These free tools help with genealogy work.
Types of Death Records You Can Order
Different types of death records serve different needs. A certified copy is the most common request. Some people need a verification letter for simple matters. Others need an apostille for use in a foreign country. Knowing which type to order saves time and money.
Certified Copies of Death Certificates
A certified copy is the official legal document. It has the raised seal of the State of Florida. It is printed on security paper. Banks, courts, insurance companies, and government agencies all accept certified copies. Keep certified copies in a safe place because they are hard to replace.
Death Verification Letters
A verification letter confirms a death happened in Florida. It does not have the full details of a certified copy. It costs less than a full certificate. Some banks and agencies accept a verification letter in place of a full certificate. Ask the agency what they need before you order.
Apostille for Use in Other Countries
Some countries need an apostille on the death certificate. An apostille is a state seal that proves a document is real for use abroad. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles. The address is 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. The cost is $10 per apostille as of 2026. Mail or walk-in service is available.
Common Reasons People Request Death Records
People order death certificates for many different reasons. Most orders relate to legal or financial matters. Some people order them for family history. Funeral homes also order copies to file with the state. Each need has its own requirements.
Insurance, Bank, and Financial Matters
Life insurance companies need a certified death certificate to pay out claims. Banks ask for one to close accounts and release funds. Brokerage firms and retirement plans also require it. Pension offices need the certificate to stop payments and start survivor benefits. The Social Security Administration needs a copy to stop benefits.
Estate, Probate, and Court Cases
Probate courts require a certified death certificate to start the estate process. Lawyers use the certificate to settle wills and trusts. Real estate transfers often need a death certificate. Tax matters at the state and federal level also need the document. The court will not act without a proper certified copy.
Family History and Research
Many people order death certificates for genealogy research. A death certificate shows the parents’ names, which is key for family tree work. It also shows the birth date, birth place, and burial site. These details are hard to find anywhere else. Researchers often order multiple copies to build a full picture.
Death Records and Florida Obituaries Are Different
Death records and obituaries are not the same thing. A death record is a legal state document. An obituary is a paid notice in a newspaper. Both serve different purposes. Knowing the difference helps you get the right document for your needs.
Key Differences Between Death Records and Obituaries
A death record is signed by a doctor and filed with the state. It is a legal document. An obituary is written by the family and printed in a newspaper. Death records cost money to order. Obituaries are public and free to read. Death records show medical causes. Obituaries share stories about the person.
Where to Find Florida Obituaries
Florida newspapers publish obituaries. Many old obituaries are online at newspapers.com and genealogybank.com. Local libraries in Nassau County keep paper copies. The Fernandina Beach News-Leader has obituaries from the local area. Funeral home websites also post obituaries for free.
Contact Information for Nassau County Death Records
The Nassau County Health Department is the main office for death records in the county. The state office in Jacksonville also handles orders. The State Archives in Tallahassee holds older records. Each office has its own hours, phone number, and website.
Local Nassau County Office Details
The Florida Department of Health in Nassau County is at 1620 Nectarine Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. The phone number is (904) 548-1800. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The website is nassau.floridahealth.gov. Walk-in service is available during office hours.
Statewide Office Details
The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville is at 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The phone number is (904) 359-6900. This office handles mail requests for the whole state. The State Archives is at 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. The phone number is (850) 245-6719. Older records are at the Archives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nassau County Death Records
These questions cover the most common things people ask about death records in Nassau County, Florida. Each answer gives you clear facts about how to order, who can order, and what to expect. Use these answers to save time when you need a death certificate.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Death Certificate in Nassau County?
Walk-in orders at the Nassau County Health Department are ready the same day. Mail orders take 7 to 10 business days after the office gets your request. Online orders through VitalChek take 3 to 5 business days for standard processing. Rush shipping is available through VitalChek for an extra fee. Plan ahead if you have a court deadline or insurance deadline. Local walk-in service is the fastest choice for most people in the area.
Can I Get a Death Certificate if I Am Not a Family Member?
Florida law only allows certain people to order death certificates. Family members like spouses, children, parents, brothers, sisters, and grandparents can order. Attorneys, executors, and legal guardians can also order. Funeral directors and government agencies have access for work purposes. You must show ID and proof of your relationship. A court order can also give you the right to order a record.
Are Death Records Free to View in Florida?
Records older than 50 years are free to view at the State Archives. Records newer than 50 years cost money to order. You pay $12 for the first certified copy. Each extra copy costs $8. VitalChek adds a service fee for online orders. Some genealogy sites offer free indexes but charge for full certificates. Always use an approved source for legal copies.
What if the Death Happened Outside Nassau County?
If the death happened in another Florida county, contact that county’s health department. If the death happened in another state, contact that state’s vital records office. The Nassau County office only handles Nassau County deaths. For deaths outside Florida, use the National Center for Health Statistics to find the right office. Each state has its own rules and fees.
Can I Order a Death Certificate Online Without an Account?
Yes, you can order a death certificate online through VitalChek without an account. You enter the details of the person who died on the form. You upload a copy of your ID. You pay the fee and the service charge by credit or debit card. VitalChek is the only state-approved online vendor. Other sites may sell uncertified copies that are not legal documents.
How Do I Fix a Mistake on a Death Certificate?
To fix a mistake on a Florida death certificate, you must file an amendment. You can get Form DH 263 from the Florida Department of Health. The form asks for the wrong information and the correct information. You must include proof of the correct facts, such as a birth certificate or hospital record. There is a $20 fee for the amendment. The process can take several weeks.
Is a Death Certificate the Same as a Death Notice?
No, a death certificate and a death notice are different. A death certificate is a legal state document with the cause of death. A death notice is a short public announcement. Death certificates cost money to order. Death notices are often free in newspapers and online. Banks and courts need a death certificate, not a death notice. Make sure you order the right document for your needs.