Lake County Death Certificate Records
Lake County death records are available through multiple Florida Department of Health locations. The main office in Tavares and the vital records office in Eustis provide certified death certificates for deaths from 2009 to the present. Residents can also visit the Clermont satellite office. Families search death records for estate settlement, insurance purposes, and genealogy research. Death certificates before 2009 must be requested from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.
Lake County Health Department Vital Statistics Locations
The Florida Department of Health in Lake County operates from multiple locations. The main office is at 315 W. Main St., Suite 523 in Tavares. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1305, Tavares, FL 32778. Feel free to reach them at (352) 253-6130.
The Vital Records Office in Eustis is located at 16140 US Hwy 441. Their phone number is (352) 483-7926. This location provides convenient access for residents in eastern Lake County.
A Clermont satellite office is located at 835 7th St., Building B, Suite 4. Feel free to reach them at (352) 394-4399 extension 113. This location serves residents in southern Lake County.
Visit the Lake County Health Department website to learn more about their services. Fees are $15 for birth certificates and $12 for death certificates.
The multiple locations make obtaining death records convenient for Lake County residents. Each office provides the same vital records services. Note: Contact your preferred location to confirm current hours before visiting.
Lake County Death Certificate Types
Florida provides two death certificate options in Lake County. The public version excludes cause of death information. This type is available to any person aged 18 or older. The confidential version includes cause of death details. Access is restricted to eligible family members.
The 50-year confidentiality rule protects cause of death information. Spouses, parents, children, and siblings may obtain complete death certificates. Others must demonstrate legal interest in the deceased's estate. This system balances privacy with necessary access to death records.
Obtaining Lake County Death Certificates
In-person visits provide the fastest death certificate service. Visit the Tavares, Eustis, or Clermont office during business hours. Bring valid photo identification. Staff can typically issue death records while you wait.
Mail requests are accepted for those who cannot visit in person. Send your completed application to the P.O. Box address in Tavares. Include payment and all required documentation. Allow processing and mailing time.
Online ordering is available through VitalChek. This is Florida's authorized vendor for death certificates. Additional fees apply for online processing. Most orders arrive within several business days.
Information for Lake County Death Records
Complete details help locate death records efficiently. Provide the decedent's full legal name. Include the date and place of death. The date of birth helps verify the correct record. Social Security numbers assist in the search.
State your relationship to the person on the death certificate. Include your current contact information. Valid photo ID is required for all death certificate pickups. The Lake County offices follow Florida identification standards.
Lake County Death Records Before 2009
The Lake County offices do not store death records from before 2009. These are maintained by the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Contact them at (904) 359-6900. Their address is 1217 N Pearl St., Jacksonville, FL 32202.
The state Bureau holds death certificates from 2009 and earlier. Historical records date back to 1917. Fees apply for searching these older death records. Rush service is available for walk-in requests at the Jacksonville office.
Lake County Death Record Laws
Florida Statutes Chapter 382 governs all death records in Lake County. This law sets rules for issuing death certificates. It defines who can access restricted death records. The statute also establishes fee limits for certified copies.
Section 382.025 specifies the 50-year confidentiality rule for cause of death. Section 382.026 lists penalties for misusing death records. False statements on death certificate applications are felonies. This department may fine violators up to $1,000 per offense.
Learn more about Florida Statutes Chapter 382 governing vital records.
Lake County Death Records for Genealogy
Family historians use death certificates for research. Death records verify dates and relationships. They help document Lake County ancestry. Records over 50 years old are fully public.
Lake County's history dates back to the 1800s. Many families have deep roots in the Tavares and Leesburg areas. Death records help preserve these long-standing lineages. Genealogists can trace ancestors through generations of vital records.