Pompano Beach City Florida obituary records are public files that list people who died in or near Pompano Beach, Florida. These records show the person’s name, age, date of death, and funeral details. You can find them at the Broward County health office, Florida state archives, online databases, local funeral homes, and newspaper archives. This page covers every place to search, every fee you may pay, and every step you need to take to get a copy.
What Are Pompano Beach Obituary Records
Obituary records are short death notices written by family members or funeral homes. They often appear in local newspapers and online memorial sites. In Pompano Beach, these notices cover residents from all parts of Broward County. The city sits on the Atlantic coast in northeast Broward County with a population over 118,000 people. Because the city is large, many obituaries get published each year through funeral homes, newspapers, and digital platforms.
What Information an Obituary Contains
Most Pompano Beach obituaries include the full name of the person who died. They show the birth date and death date. They list the names of close family like spouse, children, parents, and siblings. Many obituaries describe the funeral service, burial place, and charity donations. Some obituaries include a short life story or list of hobbies. Obituaries differ from death certificates because obituaries are written by families while death certificates are legal documents filed with the state.
Obituary Records vs Death Certificates
Obituary records and death certificates serve different purposes. Death certificates are legal proof of death. The state of Florida files them within five days under Florida Statute 382.008. Obituary records are not legal proof. They are personal notices shared with the public. You need a death certificate for legal matters like insurance claims, estate work, or property transfers. You need an obituary for family history, memorial purposes, or local research.
Where to Find Pompano Beach Obituary Records
There are many places to search for Pompano Beach obituary records. Some sources are free. Others charge a fee. The best place to start depends on how old the record is and what you already know about the person.
Broward County Health Department
The Florida Department of Health in Broward County keeps death records from 2009 to the present. This office covers all of Pompano Beach because the city does not have its own vital records office. You can visit the office in person, send a mail request, or order online through VitalChek.
| Office Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Florida Department of Health in Broward County |
| Street Address | 2421-A SW 6th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 |
| Phone Number | (954) 467-4455 |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | broward.floridahealth.gov |
| Records Covered | 2009 to present |
The office closes at 3:00 PM on the third Thursday of each month. A second location called the Paul Hughes DOH stays open until 6:00 PM on Wednesdays. This evening option helps people who work during the day. Plan your visit mid-week for shorter wait times. Mondays and the days right after holidays tend to be the busiest at this Broward County office.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds older death records. This state office has Florida death records going back to 1877. For Pompano Beach deaths before 2009, you must contact this state office. The Bureau serves all Florida counties, so wait times can be long during peak months.
The state office is located at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. You can call them at (904) 359-6900. Email reaches them at VitalStats@FLHealth.gov. The Bureau charges $5 for the first certified copy of a death record. They charge $4 for each extra copy at the same time. A rush fee of $10 may apply for fast service. Shipping costs $1 for regular mail delivery.
Florida Memory Project
The Florida Memory Project is a free online archive run by the State Library and Archives of Florida. It holds digitized historical records, including old newspapers from across the state. You can search obituaries from the 1800s and early 1900s through this digital library. The project lets you view scanned newspaper pages from your computer without paying any fee.
The Florida Memory site covers many Florida cities and counties. Pompano Beach records may appear in old Fort Lauderdale newspapers or Miami newspapers that served the region before Pompano Beach had its own paper. Search by name, date, and county to narrow your results. The site works well for genealogy research and family history projects.
FamilySearch Florida Obituaries
FamilySearch is a free genealogy website run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has a large collection of Florida obituary records. You can search by name, year, and city. The site includes records from Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and other Broward County cities. FamilySearch also has a digital library of death records, census records, and church records that can help with obituary searches.
Create a free account to save your search results. FamilySearch lets you build a family tree and connect with other researchers. The site adds new records each month. Many Pompano Beach families have uploaded photos and documents that include obituary scans. You can browse these user-contributed records at no cost.
Ancestry Florida Obituaries
Ancestry.com has one of the largest obituary databases in the world. The site holds millions of Florida obituaries, including records from Pompano Beach. You can search by name, date range, and location. Ancestry also links obituaries to census records, immigration files, and other documents that help build a full family picture.
Ancestry requires a paid subscription. Monthly and yearly plans are available. The site offers a free 14-day trial for new users. Libraries often provide free Ancestry access through their computers. The Broward County Library system gives library cardholders free access to Ancestry and other genealogy databases inside the library.
Find a Grave Florida Records
Find a Grave is a free website that lists burial locations and memorials. Volunteers add photos of headstones and obituary text. The site has thousands of Pompano Beach burial records. You can search by last name and view cemetery maps. Many entries include links to full obituaries from local newspapers.
Find a Grave covers major Pompano Beach cemeteries like Pompano Beach Cemetery, Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, and other local burial sites. The site lets users leave flowers, notes, and family photos. You do not need an account to search. Creating a free account lets you add new records and edit existing entries.
Newspapers.com Florida Obituaries
Newspapers.com is a paid archive of newspaper pages from across the United States. It has scanned copies of the Miami Herald, Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, and other Florida papers. Pompano Beach obituaries appear in these papers because local deaths get reported in regional publications. You can search by name and date.
Newspapers.com charges a monthly or yearly fee. A free 7-day trial is available. The site works well for finding old obituaries that never made it online. Many obituaries from the 1900s and early 2000s only exist on microfilm or in newspaper archives. Newspapers.com brings these old notices to your screen.
Florida Obituary Search by County
Florida obituary records are often filed by county. Knowing the county helps narrow your search. Pompano Beach sits in Broward County, but nearby cities fall under other counties. Each county has its own office and archive system.
Broward County Obituary Records
Broward County holds all Pompano Beach death records from 2009 forward. The county seat is Fort Lauderdale. The county health office in Fort Lauderdale serves Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Coral Springs, and other cities. For older Broward County records, contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Miami-Dade County Obituary Records
Miami-Dade County is south of Broward County. The county health office in Miami handles death records for Miami-Dade residents. Old Miami Herald obituaries cover many south Florida cities, including parts of Pompano Beach in early years. The Miami-Dade office is at 1350 NW 14th St, Miami, FL 33125.
Palm Beach County Obituary Records
Palm Beach County sits north of Broward County. Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach fall under this county. Some Pompano Beach obituaries may appear in Palm Beach County newspapers because the city borders the county line. The Palm Beach County health office is in West Palm Beach.
Orange County Florida Obituary Records
Orange County covers the Orlando area. The Orlando Sentinel is the main newspaper that publishes obituaries for Orange County. Pompano Beach natives who moved to Orlando may have obituaries in the Orlando Sentinel. The Orange County health office handles all local death records.
Hillsborough County Obituary Records
Hillsborough County covers Tampa and the surrounding area. The Tampa Bay Times publishes obituaries for this county. Pompano Beach natives who moved to Tampa may have death notices in Tampa papers. The Hillsborough County health office handles local vital records.
Duval County Obituary Records
Duval County covers Jacksonville. The Florida Times-Union publishes Jacksonville-area obituaries. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics sits in Jacksonville, so Duval County has deep ties to statewide record keeping. The Duval County health office handles local death records.
Pinellas County Obituary Records
Pinellas County covers St. Petersburg and Clearwater. The Tampa Bay Times also serves this county because it covers the whole Tampa Bay region. Pinellas County death records go through the county health office in St. Petersburg.
Florida Obituary Search by Newspaper
Florida newspapers carry most obituaries for Pompano Beach residents. Each paper covers a different region and time period. Searching by newspaper helps you find obituaries that never made it to online databases.
Miami Herald Obituary Archive
The Miami Herald covers south Florida, including Pompano Beach in its early years. The paper has archives going back to 1903. The Miami Herald obituary archive is available on the paper’s website and through Newspapers.com. The Herald also has a free obituary section on its website where recent notices get posted.
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel Obituaries
The Sun-Sentinel covers Broward County. The paper serves Pompano Beach directly. Recent Sun-Sentinel obituaries appear on the paper’s website for free. Old archives sit behind a paywall through ProQuest and Newspapers.com. The Sun-Sentinel is the best paper for current Pompano Beach obituaries.
Orlando Sentinel Obituaries
The Orlando Sentinel covers Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Lake counties. Pompano Beach natives who moved to central Florida appear in the Sentinel. The paper has an online obituary section and a paid archive. The Sentinel also partners with Legacy.com for online death notices.
Tampa Bay Times Obituaries
The Tampa Bay Times covers Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando counties. The paper has archives going back to the 1800s. Tampa Bay Times obituaries appear online at the paper’s website. Old archives sit through paid databases like ProQuest and Google News Archive.
Jacksonville Times-Union Obituaries
The Times-Union covers Jacksonville and Duval County. The paper has archives going back to the 1800s. Recent obituaries appear online at the paper’s website. Older notices sit through paid archives. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics sits in Jacksonville, so many vital records requests come through this region.
Florida Obituary Records by Name and Year
Searching by name and year helps narrow large databases. Florida has millions of death records across 67 counties. Each database uses slightly different search tools.
Searching by Full Name
Use the full legal name when possible. Middle names help separate people with common last names. Florida databases match names exactly, so check the spelling of each name. Try variations like nicknames and married names. FamilySearch and Ancestry let you save searches and get alerts when new records match.
Searching by Year
Year ranges help cut search results. Most databases let you set a start year and end year. Start with a five-year window around the death date. Expand the window if no results appear. Florida kept death records at the county level starting in 1917. Earlier records exist at the state level going back to 1877.
Searching by County and City
City filters narrow results to Pompano Beach and Broward County. This filter matters because many Florida cities share common names. Always select Broward County when searching for Pompano Beach obituaries. Some databases ask for the city of death while others ask for the county.
Florida Funeral Home Obituaries
Funeral homes write and post many obituaries. Pompano Beach funeral homes maintain active obituary pages on their websites. These pages often run for 30 to 90 days after the service. After that, the notices move to permanent memorial archives.
Local Pompano Beach Funeral Homes
Major Pompano Beach funeral homes include Kraeer Funeral Home, Pompano Beach Funeral Services, and other local providers. Each home posts obituaries on its website. You can view service times, burial details, and family messages. Funeral home websites let you leave online condolences and send flowers.
Florida Funeral Home Directories
The Florida Funeral Directors Association lists licensed funeral homes across the state. This directory helps you find the funeral home that handled a Pompano Beach service. Many funeral homes keep permanent online records that families can access years later. Some homes charge a small fee for printed memorial books.
Florida Vital Records and Death Certificates
Vital records include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records. Death certificates form the legal backbone of obituary records. Florida started statewide vital record keeping in 1917. Before that year, county clerks and churches handled records in different ways.
Florida Death Certificate Types
Florida issues two types of death certificates. The public version shows the name, dates, and place of death. It does not show cause of death. The first five digits of the Social Security number are blacked out. Any adult can request the public version. Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, both the SSN and cause of death stay confidential.
The confidential version shows cause of death. It stays sealed for 50 years after the death. Only certain people can get this version. Eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, adult grandchildren, adult siblings, and people with an estate or insurance interest. You prove eligibility with DH Form 1959. A court order can also authorize release.
Fees for Florida Death Certificates
The fee for a Florida death certificate is $5 through the county or state office. This fee covers the search and one certified copy. Each extra copy at the same time costs $4. The state charges $2 per year searched when the death year is unknown, up to a $50 cap. VitalChek online orders cost more because of processing fees.
| Service Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| County Office (in person) | $5 first copy, $4 each extra copy |
| State Bureau (mail request) | $5 first copy, $4 each extra copy |
| VitalChek (online) | $15 first copy plus $7 processing fee |
| Rush Shipping | Additional $10 to $25 based on speed |
| Year Search (unknown date) | $2 per year, up to $50 cap |
How to Request Florida Obituary Records
You can request Florida obituary records through three main methods. Each method has different costs and timelines. Choose the method that fits your deadline and budget.
In-Person Requests
Visit the Broward County DOH office at 2421-A SW 6th Ave in Fort Lauderdale. Bring a valid photo ID and a completed DH727 application form. You need the full name of the deceased, date of death, date of birth, county or city of death, and Social Security number if known. Walk-in visits mid-week go faster than Monday or Friday visits. Standard processing takes 3 to 5 business days for records from 2009 forward.
Mail Requests
Send a completed DH727 form, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a check or money order made out to the Florida Department of Health. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests from the Broward County office take 2 to 3 weeks. The high volume of requests at the Broward office sometimes pushes that timeline longer.
Online Requests Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the state’s authorized online vendor. The site charges $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies cost $4 each. You pay by credit or debit card. Orders ship in 5 to 7 business days. Rush shipping costs more. VitalChek is convenient but costs more than ordering in person.
Florida Historical Obituaries and Genealogy
Florida historical obituaries date back to the 1800s. These old records help genealogists trace family lines. The State Library and Archives of Florida holds many of these records in paper and digital form.
Florida State Library Obituary Archives
The State Library of Florida sits in Tallahassee. The library holds microfilm records of Florida newspapers going back to the early 1800s. You can visit the library in person to view these records. The library also loans microfilm to local libraries through inter-library loan. Contact the library at (850) 245-6600 for research help.
Broward County Library Local History
The Broward County Library system has a local history section. The Pompano Beach branch library holds Pompano Beach city directories, newspaper clippings, and family history files. Library cardholders can use Ancestry, FamilySearch, and other paid databases for free inside the library. The library staff can help you start your search.
Broward County Clerk of Court Records
The Broward County Clerk of Court holds probate records, marriage records, and court filings. Some probate records include death information for older Pompano Beach residents. You can search the clerk’s online database for free. Older records may require a visit to the clerk’s office in Fort Lauderdale.
Florida Historical Society Records
The Florida Historical Society holds books, manuscripts, and photographs about Florida history. The society sits in Cocoa, Florida. Members can access research materials and get help from historians. The society publishes a journal with old Florida records and family stories.
Free Florida Obituary Search Options
Many Florida obituary searches are free. You do not need to pay for every search. Start with free sources before paying for paid databases.
Free Online Obituary Databases
- FamilySearch.org – free genealogy records with Florida obituaries
- Find a Grave – free burial records and memorials
- Florida Memory Project – free digital newspaper archives
- Local funeral home websites – free recent obituaries
- Newspaper websites – free recent obituary sections
- Broward County Library – free database access inside the library
Free Library Resources
Public libraries across Florida offer free database access. The Broward County Library gives cardholders free access to Ancestry, ProQuest, and other genealogy databases. You must visit the library in person to use these resources. Library staff can help you set up searches and navigate databases.
Common Questions About Pompano Beach Obituary Records
Below are answers to questions people ask most often about Pompano Beach obituary records. Each answer covers a specific issue that comes up during the search process.
How Far Back Do Florida Death Records Go?
Florida kept death records at the state level starting in 1877. County-level records began in 1917. The State Library and Archives of Florida has microfilm records going back to the 1800s for some counties. Pre-1917 records may exist in church files, cemetery records, and old newspapers.
Are Florida Obituary Records Public?
Florida death certificates have two versions. The public version is open to any adult. The confidential version stays sealed for 50 years. Obituary records are not sealed because families choose to share them. Newspaper obituaries are public once published. Funeral home obituaries stay online based on the funeral home’s policy.
Can I Get a Death Certificate the Same Day in Pompano Beach?
Same-day service is not always available at the Broward County DOH. Standard processing takes 3 to 5 business days. VitalChek offers rush shipping for online orders. The rush option costs more but ships faster. Walk-in requests at the Paul Hughes DOH location may process faster during off-peak hours.
What If I Don’t Know the Date of Death?
The state charges $2 per year searched when you do not know the death year. The fee caps at $50. Funeral home websites often have older records. Old newspapers on the Florida Memory Project can help you find the death year. FamilySearch also has indexes that list death years for many people.
Can Out-of-State People Request Florida Death Records?
Yes. Out-of-state people can request Florida death records by mail or online. You do not need to live in Florida. Mail the DH727 form, a copy of your photo ID, and payment to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. Online orders through VitalChek ship to any U.S. address.
What Happens If I Make a False Statement on the Application?
Filing false information on a vital records application is a third-degree felony under Florida law. Always bring a valid photo ID and provide truthful answers on every form. The Broward County office processes so many requests that staff are trained to catch inconsistencies. Penalties for vital records fraud apply no matter which city you live in.
Are Pompano Beach Cemetery Records Available Online?
Yes. Find a Grave has thousands of Pompano Beach burial records. The Broward County cemetery database also lists local burial sites. The Pompano Beach Cemetery office can help with plot records and burial details. Some cemetery records sit in physical archives at the cemetery office.
Contact Details for Pompano Beach Obituary Records
Use the contact details below to reach the offices that handle Pompano Beach obituary records. Call during office hours for the fastest service. Mail requests need 2 to 3 weeks of processing time. Online requests through VitalChek ship in 5 to 7 business days.
Broward County Health Department office: 2421-A SW 6th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. Phone: (954) 467-4455. Website: broward.floridahealth.gov. Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office closes at 3:00 PM on the third Thursday of each month. The Paul Hughes DOH location stays open until 6:00 PM on Wednesdays for evening service.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics: 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone: (904) 359-6900. Email: VitalStats@FLHealth.gov. Website: www.flhealth.gov/certificates. The state bureau handles all Florida death records before 2009. The office covers all 67 Florida counties from this single location.
Florida State Library and Archives: 500 S Bronough St, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Phone: (850) 245-6600. Website: info.florida_memory.com. The library holds microfilm records of old Florida newspapers. Visitors can view these records in person during library hours.
Final Tips for Pompano Beach Obituary Research
Start your search with free sources like FamilySearch, Find a Grave, and the Florida Memory Project. Use paid databases like Ancestry and Newspapers.com only when free sources run dry. Always check local funeral home websites for recent obituaries. The Broward County Library gives free database access to cardholders.
Keep a record of every search you run. Note the date, database, and search terms. This helps you avoid repeating the same search. Save screenshots or print records when you find what you need. Florida does not keep death records forever at the county level, so the state Bureau in Jacksonville is your backup source for older records.
Bring a valid photo ID every time you visit a vital records office. Florida law requires ID for all death certificate requests. Fill out the DH727 form before you arrive to save time. Call the office ahead of your visit to check wait times and processing speed. Plan mail requests for non-urgent needs because mail takes longer than online or in-person orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section covers the most common questions about Pompano Beach obituary records. Each answer gives clear, direct facts about the search process, fees, and record sources. Use these answers to plan your search before you start contacting offices or searching databases.
Where Can I Find Free Pompano Beach Obituary Records?
You can find free Pompano Beach obituary records on FamilySearch, Find a Grave, the Florida Memory Project, and local funeral home websites. FamilySearch lets you search by name and view obituary scans. Find a Grave lists burial locations and memorial photos. The Florida Memory Project has old newspaper pages. Funeral home websites post recent obituaries for free. The Broward County Library gives cardholders free access to Ancestry and other paid databases inside the library. Start with these free sources before paying for any database.
How Much Does a Pompano Beach Death Certificate Cost?
A Pompano Beach death certificate costs $5 through the Broward County DOH office. This fee covers the search and one certified copy. Each extra copy at the same time costs $4. VitalChek online orders cost $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Rush shipping on VitalChek adds $10 to $25. Mail orders cost $5 per copy but take 2 to 3 weeks. The state charges $2 per year searched when you do not know the death year, up to a $50 cap.
Who Can Request a Confidential Death Certificate in Florida?
Only certain people can get a confidential death certificate in Florida. Eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, adult grandchildren, adult siblings, and people with an estate or insurance interest. You prove eligibility by filling out DH Form 1959. A court order can also authorize release. Confidential certificates show cause of death and stay sealed for 50 years. Public certificates do not show cause of death and are open to any adult requester.
What Newspapers Cover Pompano Beach Obituaries?
The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel covers Pompano Beach obituaries because it serves all of Broward County. The Miami Herald covers south Florida and ran Pompano Beach obituaries in early years. Old newspaper archives sit on Newspapers.com, ProQuest, and the Florida Memory Project. Local funeral homes also post obituaries on their websites. The Sun-Sentinel runs a free online obituary section for recent deaths. Tampa Bay Times, Orlando Sentinel, and Jacksonville Times-Union cover other Florida regions.
Can I Search Pompano Beach Obituaries by Year?
Yes. Most obituary databases let you search by year range. Start with a five-year window around the death date. Expand the window if no results appear. The Florida Memory Project has newspaper scans organized by year. FamilySearch and Ancestry both have year filters. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics has death records organized by year going back to 1877. Each database uses different search tools, so try multiple databases for best results.
What Is the Difference Between an Obituary and a Death Notice?
An obituary is a longer write-up about the person who died. It includes family details, life story, and funeral service times. A death notice is a short legal notice that states the name, date of death, and funeral home. Newspapers publish both. Funeral homes write obituaries based on family input. Death notices come from the funeral home or family and meet newspaper publication requirements. Memorial notices are similar to obituaries but focus on tribute and remembrance rather than funeral logistics.
How Do I Find Pompano Beach Obituary Records Before 2009?
Contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville for Pompano Beach death records before 2009. The state bureau has records going back to 1877. Mail a DH727 form, photo ID, and payment to 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. You can also search old newspapers on the Florida Memory Project, Newspapers.com, and Ancestry. Broward County Library has microfilm records for local newspapers. Church records and cemetery files may have earlier death details for Pompano Beach residents.