The Short Answer

In Florida, the “official” death certificate your bank, insurer, or probate court usually wants is a certified copy issued by the Florida Department of Health (or a local registrar). How quickly you can get it often depends on whether the death record has been filed and registered yet, and whether you qualify to receive the version that includes confidential cause-of-death information.

What Florida Law Says

Florida treats death certificates as vital records. The law allows certified copies to be issued, but it also limits who can receive a certified copy that includes the confidential portions (such as cause of death). In probate and other estate matters, institutions commonly require a certified copy, not an obituary or a photocopy.

The Statute

The primary law governing this issue is Fla. Stat. § 382.025.

This statute establishes that certified copies of death certificates may be issued upon request and payment of the required fee, but certified copies that include confidential portions may be issued only to certain close family members or to someone who can document a legitimate interest in the estate (or someone acting on their behalf).

Separately, Florida probate law recognizes an authenticated (certified) death certificate as strong proof of death in probate proceedings. See Fla. Stat. § 731.103.

Why You Should Speak with an Attorney

Even though getting a death certificate sounds straightforward, delays and rejections are common when multiple family members are involved (including stepparents), when the requester is not clearly authorized, or when an institution insists on a particular “type” of certified copy.

• Timing and availability: Florida requires the death certificate to be filed within a short timeframe after death, but medical certification issues (autopsy pending, toxicology, identity questions) can slow registration and delay certified copies. See Fla. Stat. § 382.008.
• Who is allowed to request it: Under Fla. Stat. § 382.025, access to the confidential portions is restricted. If the person ordering the certificate is a step-relative or a non-immediate family member, the request may need additional documentation showing estate interest or authority to act.
• “Certified” vs. “informational” copies: Many probate filings, banks, and insurers require a certified copy issued by the registrar—not an obituary, screenshot, or funeral program. An attorney can confirm what the receiving institution will accept and help avoid wasted time ordering the wrong version.

If your firm needs an original certified copy quickly to submit paperwork, a Florida probate attorney can coordinate with the funeral home, confirm the record’s status, and make sure the request is made by the right person with the right supporting documents—especially where family communications are complicated.

For more background, you may also find helpful: How Do I Get a Certified Death Certificate and Probate Court Filings in Florida? and What Counts as Proof of Death in Florida Probate?.

Get Connected with a Florida Attorney

Do not leave your legal outcome to chance. We can connect you with a pre-screened Probate attorney in Florida to discuss your specific facts and options.

Find a Florida Attorney Now

Disclaimer: This article provides general information under Florida law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed attorney.