Riverview City Florida obituary records are filed through Hillsborough County because Riverview is a census-designated place, not an incorporated city. There is no Riverview city hall and no local vital records office.
All death certificates and obituary notices for Riverview residents go through the Hillsborough County Department of Health in Tampa. Local funeral homes, county newspapers, and online databases like Legacy.com and Echovita carry the obituary notices. This page covers where to look, what records cost, and how to get copies fast.
Why Riverview Has No City Records Office
Riverview sits in southern Hillsborough County, Florida. Many people type “Riverview City” into search bars, but the place has no city government. Records go through county and state offices instead. The next three subtopics explain how this works and where records actually get filed.
Riverview Is a Census-Designated Place
A census-designated place is a community the U.S. Census Bureau counts but has no local government. Riverview falls into this group. There is no mayor, no city council, and no city clerk. The Census Bureau counted 107,776 people in Riverview in the 2020 count. Population growth has been fast over the last ten years. New families move in each month from other states.
Where Death Records Actually Get Filed
Florida law requires funeral directors to file death records with the county Department of Health within five days. For Riverview, that office is the Hillsborough County DOH in Tampa. The Tampa office stores records from 2009 to the present day. Older records sit at the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Funeral homes handle the first filing, then families can order copies later.
Hillsborough County Role in Records
Hillsborough County runs the DOH office that serves Riverview, Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. The same office handles all birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for the county. The county also runs the clerk of court, which keeps probate and estate records. Probate files sometimes list death dates and family members that connect back to an obituary search.
How to Request Riverview Death Certificates
Riverview residents have three main ways to order death certificates. The next subtopics walk through each method, fees, and wait times so you can pick the best fit.
In-Person Requests at the Tampa Office
The Hillsborough County DOH office sits at 13601 N 22nd St, Tampa, FL 33613. The drive from Riverview takes 25 to 35 minutes by US-301 or I-75. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Bring a photo ID, the DH727 form, and $10 for the first death certificate. Arrive mid-week for shorter wait times.
Mail-In Order Steps
Mail orders go to the same Tampa address. Include the DH727 form, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. Mail orders from this office take two to three weeks. Build in extra time if you need the record by a specific date.
- Download and print DH727 from the Florida DOH site.
- Fill in the full name, date of birth, date of death, and place of death.
- Include a copy of your photo ID.
- Add payment by check or money order.
- Mail to 13601 N 22nd St, Tampa, FL 33613.
Online Orders Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the official online portal for Florida death certificates. The first copy costs $15 plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies run $4 each. Standard shipping takes five to seven business days. Rush shipping costs more but moves faster. VitalChek works well for Riverview residents who want to skip the drive to Tampa.
Required Documents and Fees
Florida requires a photo ID for all death certificate requests. The DH727 form asks for the full name of the person who died, date of death, date of birth, county of death, and Social Security Number if known. The table below shows current fees for each method.
| Method | First Copy | Extra Copies | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Person | $10 | $3 each | 3–5 business days |
| $10 | $3 each | 2–3 weeks | |
| VitalChek Online | $15 + $7 fee | $4 each | 5–7 business days |
| State Bureau (pre-2009) | $5 search + cert | Varies | 3–4 weeks |
Free Obituary Search Resources
Many Riverview obituary notices sit on free websites. The next subtopics list the main databases, what they cover, and how to search them well.
Legacy.com Florida Listings
Legacy.com runs the largest obituary database in the United States. The site pulls notices from over 1,000 newspapers, including the Tampa Bay Times. You can search by name, date, and city. Riverview notices show up under both Riverview and Tampa because Riverview is part of the Tampa metro area. Basic searches are free. Full obituary text and guest book entries come with no charge.
Echovita Florida Obituaries
Echovita started in 2020 and now carries millions of death notices. Florida funeral homes post to Echovita each day. The site lets you search by name, city, and date range. Riverview obituaries appear when funeral homes submit them. Echovita shows funeral home names and service dates. Search results are free to view.
Tribute Archive Records
Tribute Archive covers obituary notices and memorial pages from funeral homes across Florida. The site collects notices from small local funeral homes that other databases miss. Riverview funeral homes like Stowers Funeral Home and Blount & Curry post regular notices. Tribute Archive lets you sort by date and location.
Find a Grave Florida Memorials
Find a Grave holds cemetery records and user-added memorials. The site dates back to 1995 and holds over 220 million records worldwide. Florida memorials number in the millions. You can search by last name, first name, cemetery, and county. Riverview burials happen at Riverview Memorial Gardens and other Hillsborough County cemeteries. Each memorial often links to an obituary notice.
FamilySearch Florida Genealogy
FamilySearch is the free genealogy arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The site hosts Florida death indexes, county records, and indexed newspaper obituaries. Anyone can create a free account. Florida records include indexed obituaries from Tampa Bay Times and other state papers. FamilySearch works well for older Riverview notices from the 1900s.
Florida Newspaper Obituary Archives
Newspapers remain a strong source for Riverview obituary notices. The next subtopics cover the major Florida papers and their obituary archives.
Tampa Bay Times Obituaries
The Tampa Bay Times is the main daily paper for the Tampa Bay area. The paper has published obituaries since the 1880s. The Times publishes Riverview notices regularly because Riverview sits inside the paper’s coverage zone. Online archives go back to the 1980s. Older print archives sit at the Hillsborough County Public Library and the USF Tampa Library.
Miami Herald and South Florida Papers
The Miami Herald covers South Florida death notices. Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties all fall under Herald coverage. Online archives run back decades. The Herald partners with Legacy.com for online obituary postings. Riverview notices do not appear here unless the family lived in South Florida at some point.
Orlando Sentinel Archives
The Orlando Sentinel covers Central Florida death notices. Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties fall in this zone. The Sentinel’s online archive lets you search obituaries by name and year. Old print issues sit on microfilm at the Orange County Public Library. Riverview is outside this paper’s main zone.
Jacksonville Times-Union Records
The Florida Times-Union covers Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Duval, Clay, St. Johns, and Nassau counties all use this paper. The paper’s online archive runs back to the 1980s. Older issues sit at the Jacksonville Public Library. The Times-Union also indexes obituaries from smaller Northeast Florida papers.
Sun-Sentinel and Palm Beach Post
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel serves Broward County. The Palm Beach Post serves Palm Beach County. Both papers post obituaries online through Legacy.com. Search tools let you filter by city, date, and last name. These papers do not cover Riverview but help with Florida obituary searches for other areas.
Searching by Florida County
Florida death records are filed by county. The next subtopics list which county offices hold Riverview-area records and how to reach them.
Hillsborough County Obituaries
Hillsborough County holds all Riverview death certificates filed since 2009. The county DOH in Tampa processes all requests. The Tampa Bay Times publishes local obituaries. The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative holds genealogy resources, including newspaper microfilm and local history books. Riverview Memorial Gardens, Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, and other local cemeteries keep burial records.
Pinellas, Pasco, and Polk Counties
Pinellas County sits west of Hillsborough and holds St. Petersburg and Clearwater records. The Pinellas County DOH office sits in St. Petersburg. Pasco County sits north of Hillsborough and covers New Port Richey and Dade City. Polk County covers Lakeland and Winter Haven. Each county runs its own DOH office and death certificate process.
Miami-Dade and Broward County
Miami-Dade County holds records for Miami, Hialeah, and the beaches. The county DOH office sits in Miami. Broward County holds records for Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach. Both counties use the Florida DOH system. Online orders through VitalChek work for all Florida counties.
Other Major Florida Counties
Florida has 67 counties. Each county DOH office handles local death records from 2009 forward. Lee County covers Fort Myers. Duval County covers Jacksonville. Orange County covers Orlando. Palm Beach County covers West Palm Beach. The table below lists the main counties and their DOH office cities.
| County | Main City | Coverage Area |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough | Tampa | Riverview, Brandon, Plant City |
| Pinellas | St. Petersburg | Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin |
| Pasco | New Port Richey | Wesley Chapel, Dade City |
| Polk | Bartow | Lakeland, Winter Haven |
| Miami-Dade | Miami | Hialeah, Miami Beach, Kendall |
| Broward | Fort Lauderdale | Hollywood, Pompano Beach |
| Orange | Orlando | Winter Park, Apopka |
| Duval | Jacksonville | Jacksonville Beach, Baldwin |
Historical Florida Obituary Records
Older Riverview death records sit at the state level. The next subtopics cover how to reach those older files and what they contain.
Pre-2009 Records and State Archives
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds all state death records back to 1877. The state office is the right source for Riverview deaths that happened before 2009. Mail requests go to 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone support is at (904) 359-6900. Email goes to VitalStats@FLHealth.gov. The state charges $5 per name search.
1900s and 1800s Florida Records
Florida state death records begin in 1877. Many early records miss details because frontier counties had few clerks. Some 1800s records sit only at the county courthouse. FamilySearch and Ancestry hold indexed versions of older Florida death certificates. The Florida State Library and Archives in Tallahassee also hold death record microfilm and indexes.
Florida Memory Digital Collection
The Florida Memory Project at floridamemory.com runs a free digital archive. The site holds scanned newspapers, photographs, and state records. Death notices from old Florida newspapers sit on the site. Search by name, county, and year. The collection grows each year as more records get scanned.
Florida Death Certificate Types and Eligibility
Florida offers two death certificate versions. The next subtopics explain who can order each type and what details they include.
Public Death Certificates
Public death certificates show the full name, date of birth, date of death, and place of death. The first five digits of the Social Security Number are hidden. The cause of death is not listed. Any person 18 or older can order a public certificate. This version works for genealogy, family history, and most personal needs.
Confidential Death Certificates
Confidential death certificates include the cause of death. They stay restricted for 50 years under Florida law. Eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, adult grandchildren, adult siblings, and people with an estate or insurance interest. File DH Form 1959 to prove eligibility, or provide a court order.
SSDI and Death Index Records
The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) holds death records reported to the Social Security Administration. The index lists name, date of birth, date of death, and Social Security Number. The SSDI covers most deaths since 1962. Ancestry.com holds the full SSDI. FamilySearch shows limited SSDI data for free.
Official Contact Information
Riverview residents order death certificates and related records through the Hillsborough County Department of Health office in Tampa. Use the contact details below for phone calls, mail orders, and in-person visits.
Hillsborough County Department of Health
Address: 13601 N 22nd St, Tampa, FL 33613
Phone: (813) 307-8002
Website: hillsborough.floridahealth.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Mail Orders: Use the same Tampa address with DH727 form, photo ID copy, and payment by check or money order.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover common search needs for Riverview City Florida obituary records. Each answer points to the right office, database, or county office for the specific case. Readers in a hurry can scan the questions and pick the section that matches their need.
Does Riverview Florida Have Its Own Obituary Records?
Riverview is a census-designated place, not an incorporated city. There is no city hall and no local vital records office. All Riverview death records go through the Hillsborough County Department of Health in Tampa. Funeral homes file death certificates with the county within five days of death. Online obituary notices appear on Legacy.com, Echovita, and local funeral home sites once families submit them. The county DOH office in Tampa is the main source for certified copies of Riverview death certificates filed from 2009 onward.
Where Can I Look Up Free Riverview Obituaries Online?
Free Riverview obituary search options include Legacy.com, Echovita, Tribute Archive, and Find a Grave. Each site lets you search by last name, first name, and date range. Legacy.com pulls notices from the Tampa Bay Times and local funeral homes. Echovita started in 2020 and now holds Florida notices from many small funeral homes. Find a Grave holds cemetery memorials and links to obituary text. FamilySearch offers indexed Florida death records at no cost. Riverview Memorial Gardens records also sit on Find a Grave with burial dates and plot locations.
How Much Does a Death Certificate Cost in Hillsborough County?
The Hillsborough County DOH office in Tampa charges $10 for the first death certificate and $3 for a sheath. In-person payments accept cash, check, or money order. Online orders through VitalChek cost $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee, with $4 per extra copy. State Bureau of Vital Statistics orders for pre-2009 records cost $5 per name search. Rush fees and shipping charges apply in some cases. Always check current fees before sending payment.
Can I Get Riverview Obituary Records From Before 2009?
Yes. Records from 2009 onward sit with the Hillsborough County DOH in Tampa. Older records sit with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The state office holds Florida death records back to 1877. Mail a DH727 form, photo ID copy, and $5 search fee to 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. FamilySearch and Ancestry hold indexed copies of older Florida death records for free and paid access. Older Riverview notices also appear in old Tampa Bay Times issues on microfilm at the Hillsborough County Public Library.
What Is the Difference Between a Public and Confidential Death Certificate in Florida?
Florida offers two types of death certificates. Public certificates show name, dates, and place of death without cause of death. The first five digits of the Social Security Number are hidden. Any adult can order a public certificate. Confidential certificates include the cause of death and stay restricted for 50 years. Only the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, adult grandchildren, adult siblings, or people with an estate or insurance interest can order the confidential version. File DH Form 1959 with proof of eligibility to get the confidential certificate.
Which Funeral Homes Serve Riverview Florida?
Riverview residents use funeral homes in the Tampa Bay area. Stowers Funeral Home in Brandon serves many local families. Blount & Curry Funeral Home sits on West Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa. Other options include Hillsboro Memorial Gardens and Garden of Memories cemeteries and funeral services. Each funeral home posts obituary notices on its own site and on Legacy.com, Echovita, and Tribute Archive. Funeral home notices include service dates, burial details, and family member names. Many Riverview families also use national funeral service providers like Dignity Memorial locations in the Tampa area.
Can I Search Florida Obituary Records by Date or County?
Yes. Legacy.com, Echovita, and Tribute Archive all let you search by date range. The Florida DOH site lets you search death records by county and year for 2009 onward. The SSDI holds deaths reported to Social Security since 1962. Find a Grave lets you browse by cemetery, county, and date. FamilySearch has indexed Florida death records with county and date filters. For pre-2009 records, the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville handles mail-in requests filtered by year and county.