Escambia County Florida obituary records are managed through the Florida Department of Health office in Pensacola. This page explains how to get death certificates, what fees apply, and where to look for older records.
The county sits at the western edge of the Florida Panhandle. Each year, the local office handles many requests from families, lawyers, and people tracing family history. Knowing the right office, the right form, and the right fee saves time and money.
Escambia County Vital Records Office
The Florida Department of Health runs the vital records office for Escambia County. This office is the main place to order death certificates for deaths that took place in the county from 2009 forward. Staff can help you in person, by phone, or by mail. The office also issues birth certificates and marriage records for the same time period.
Office Location and Hours
The Escambia County vital records office sits on West Fairfield Drive in Pensacola. It is near the main hospital district. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office closes on state holidays. You can walk in without an appointment during business hours. Parking is free at the building.
How to Contact the Office
You can reach the Escambia County DOH vital records office by phone at (850) 595-6500. The office is at 1295 W Fairfield Dr, Pensacola, FL 32501. The website is escambia.floridahealth.gov. The certificates page on the website lists forms, fees, and rules. Calling ahead helps you check wait times before driving over.
Services Provided
The Escambia County office handles death certificates for deaths that happened in the county from 2009 forward. The office also issues birth certificates and marriage records. Staff can help you pick the right form and answer questions about who can order each record type. Apostille services for records used in other countries are available through the state office in Tallahassee.
How to Request Death Certificates
You have three main ways to get a death certificate in Escambia County. You can visit the office in person, send a mail request, or place an online order through VitalChek. Each method has different costs and wait times. Pick the method that fits your timeline and your budget.
In-Person Requests
Going to the office in person is the fastest option. Bring a valid photo ID. Fill out the DH727 form. The form asks for the full name of the person who died, their date of death, and the place of death. The date of birth helps staff find the record. The first certified copy costs $5. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $4. Staff can hand you the certificate the same day in most cases.
Mail-In Requests
You can mail your request to the Pensacola office. Include the completed DH727 form. Add a copy of your photo ID. Include a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests take 2 to 3 weeks to come back. Make sure your copies of ID are clear so staff can read them.
Online Orders Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the only online vendor Florida uses for vital records. You place the order on vitalchek.com. The first copy costs $15. A $7 processing fee applies. Extra copies cost $4 each. Pay with a credit or debit card. Standard shipping takes 5 to 7 business days. Rush shipping is faster but costs more. VitalChek works well for people who live far from Pensacola.
Death Certificate Types and Eligibility
Florida offers two kinds of death certificates. Which one you can get depends on your relationship to the person who died. Each type has its own rules and its own fee. Knowing the difference helps you avoid wasted trips and wasted forms.
Certificates Without Cause of Death
This version does not show the cause of death. Anyone 18 or older can request it. You do not need to be a family member. The certificate shows the person’s name, date of death, place of death, and other basic facts. The first five digits of the Social Security number are hidden under Florida law. Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes covers this rule.
Certificates With Cause of Death
This version includes the medical cause of death. It stays sealed for 50 years after the death date. A surviving spouse, parent, adult child, adult grandchild, or adult sibling can order it. A court order also works. Lawyers handling estate cases or insurance claims often need this version. Genealogists usually do not need cause of death for basic family tree work.
Who Can Request Each Type
For the version with cause of death, you may need to fill out DH Form 1959. This form is an affidavit. It states your relationship to the person who died. It also states your right to the information. Bring proof of your relationship, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate. Staff can tell you what proof they need when you visit the office.
| Certificate Type | Cause of Death | Who Can Order | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Certified Copy | Not shown | Anyone 18 or older | No limit |
| Cause of Death Version | Shown | Spouse, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, or court order | Sealed 50 years after death |
Fees and Payment Methods
The fees for death certificates in Escambia County depend on where you order. The local office, the state office, and VitalChek all have different prices. Knowing the costs ahead of time helps you plan your budget and avoid surprises.
Local Office Fees
The Escambia County DOH office charges $5 for the first certified copy. Each extra copy at the same time costs $4. These prices apply to both walk-in and mail orders. Cash, checks, money orders, and sometimes cards are accepted for in-person orders. Mail orders must use a check or money order. Make checks payable to the Florida Department of Health.
State Office Fees
The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville handles Florida death records for the whole state. The state charges a $5 search fee that covers one copy. Each extra copy is $4. If you do not know the exact year of death, the state charges $2 per year searched, with a cap of $50. Pre-2009 records have a $10 rush fee for fast service. A $1 shipping fee applies per order.
VitalChek Fees
VitalChek costs more than the local office. The first certificate is $15. A $7 processing fee applies. Each extra copy is $4. You must pay with a credit or debit card. VitalChek works well for people who live far from Pensacola or who need fast shipping. The extra cost covers their service and shipping.
| Source | First Copy | Extra Copies | Processing Fee | Total First Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escambia County DOH | $5 | $4 each | None | $5 |
| State Bureau (Jacksonville) | $5 | $4 each | None (plus $1 shipping) | $6 |
| VitalChek (Online) | $15 | $4 each | $7 | $22 |
Older Records and Historical Research
The Escambia County DOH office only has records from 2009 forward. For older records, you need other sources. Several places in Florida hold historical death records and obituaries. Some of these resources are free. Others charge a fee.
State Bureau of Vital Statistics
The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville has Florida death records going back to 1877. The office sits at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. You can call them at (904) 359-6900. The state office can help with records older than 2009 for any Florida county, including Escambia. Mail requests to the state office take about 3 to 4 weeks.
Florida Memory Project
The Florida Memory Project is a free website from the State Library and Archives. It holds scanned documents, photos, and records. The site is at floridamemory.com. For Escambia County research, the project has many old records from Pensacola, which is one of Florida’s oldest cities. Spanish colonial records from the 1700s are part of the collection.
Newspaper Archives
Local newspapers publish obituaries. The Pensacola News Journal is the main paper in Escambia County. Old issues are on microfilm at the West Florida Public Library. Newspapers from the early 1900s through today can be searched there. Obituaries often have family details that death certificates do not include. Online newspaper archive sites also have some Pensacola News Journal issues.
Funeral Home Records
Local funeral homes keep their own files. Many Pensacola funeral homes have records going back decades. They can help families find old obituaries or service details. Contacting funeral homes directly is a good step for hard-to-find records. Some funeral homes post current and past obituaries on their own websites.
Church and Cemetery Records
Churches in Escambia County have kept baptism, marriage, and burial records for over 200 years. Catholic churches in Pensacola have records from the Spanish colonial era. Cemetery offices also keep burial logs. St. Michael’s Cemetery in Pensacola is one of the oldest in Florida. Their records help with family history research from the 1800s.
Online Genealogy Resources
Online tools help you search for obituaries and death records from home. Some sites are free. Others require a paid subscription. Many libraries give free access to paid sites through their computers.
Ancestry and FamilySearch
Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org are two major genealogy sites. Ancestry has Florida death indexes, newspaper obituaries, and other records. FamilySearch is free and run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both sites have Escambia County records from the 1800s and 1900s. Many Pensacola newspapers are scanned on these sites.
Find a Grave
Find a Grave is a free website with cemetery records and memorials. Volunteers add photos of gravestones and obituaries. For Escambia County, Find a Grave has thousands of memorials from local cemeteries. You can search by name, date, or cemetery. Photos of gravestones often show birth and death dates, plus family details.
Local Genealogy Societies
The Escarosa Genealogical Society helps people research family history in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. They meet monthly and offer help to members. The West Florida Genealogical Society is another local group. Their websites have resources, links, and tips for Escambia County research. Both groups welcome beginners.
Florida Public Records Laws
Florida has strong public records laws. Death certificates fall under these rules. Knowing the law helps you understand what you can get and what stays sealed. The law aims to balance public access with personal privacy.
Sunshine Law Basics
Florida’s public records law is called the Sunshine Law. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes covers it. Death certificates without cause of death fall under this law. Anyone 18 or older can ask for them. The law covers records held by state, county, and city agencies.
Confidentiality Rules
Cause of death stays sealed for 50 years after the death date. Social Security numbers are always hidden on public copies. Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes protects SSNs from public view. Only eligible family members can order the cause of death version during the 50-year seal period. After 50 years, the cause of death becomes public.
Penalties for False Information
Giving false information on a vital records application is a serious crime. Under Florida law, this is a third-degree felony. This rule applies to all requests in Escambia County. Always bring proper ID. Always fill out forms with true, accurate facts. Penalties include fines and jail time.
Nearby Resources
Escambia County borders a few other counties. Each neighboring county has its own vital records office. If you need records from a bordering area, these resources can help. Many Florida counties have similar rules, but fees and hours can differ.
Santa Rosa County
Santa Rosa County sits directly east of Escambia County. The Santa Rosa County DOH office handles vital records for deaths in that county. The office is in Milton. For more details, the Florida Department of Health website lists addresses and hours for each county office. Records from 2008 forward are at the Santa Rosa County office.
Other Florida Counties
Florida has 67 counties. Each one has its own vital records office. Major counties like Hillsborough, Broward, Duval, Pinellas, and Palm Beach all have local DOH offices. For deaths in those counties, contact the local office for that area. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville can also help with any Florida county.
Contact Information
For questions about Escambia County Florida obituary records, contact the local DOH office using the details below. Staff can answer questions about forms, fees, and eligibility before you visit or send a request.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Florida Department of Health in Escambia County |
| Address | 1295 W Fairfield Dr, Pensacola, FL 32501 |
| Phone | (850) 595-6500 |
| Website | escambia.floridahealth.gov |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Records Covered | Deaths in Escambia County from 2009 to present |
For deaths before 2009, contact the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Their phone number is (904) 359-6900. Their address is 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The state office also handles apostille requests for vital records used in other countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about Escambia County Florida obituary records. These questions cover eligibility, timelines, fees, and historical research. Each answer gives direct, useful facts based on current Florida law and office rules.
How Far Back Do Escambia County Death Records Go?
The Escambia County DOH office has death records from 2009 forward. For older records, the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville has Florida death certificates going back to 1877. The Florida Memory Project has historical records at floridamemory.com. Funeral homes in Pensacola keep their own files that may go back many decades. Newspaper archives from the Pensacola News Journal can help with older obituaries. West Florida Public Library has microfilm copies of old newspapers. Cemetery records and church records go back even further in some cases.
Can Anyone Order a Death Certificate in Escambia County?
Anyone 18 or older can order a death certificate without cause of death in Florida. You do not need to be a relative. The version with cause of death has tighter rules. A spouse, parent, adult child, adult grandchild, adult sibling, or someone with a court order can get that version. Cause of death information stays sealed for 50 years after the death date. After 50 years pass, the cause of death becomes a public record. Bring photo ID when you visit or send a copy with mail requests.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Death Certificate?
In-person requests at the Escambia County DOH office are often ready the same day. Mail requests take 2 to 3 weeks. Online orders through VitalChek take 5 to 7 business days with standard shipping. Rush shipping is faster but costs more. The state office in Jacksonville has its own timelines. Call the office before you go to check current wait times. Processing times can be longer during busy seasons like the winter holidays.
What Documents Do I Need to Order a Death Certificate?
You need a valid photo ID. You also need to fill out the DH727 form. The form asks for the full name of the person who died, their date of death, and the place of death. The date of birth helps staff find the record faster. For the cause of death version, you may need to fill out DH Form 1959 as well. Bring proof of your relationship, like your own birth certificate or marriage certificate.
How Much Does a Death Certificate Cost in Escambia County?
At the Escambia County DOH office, the first certified copy costs $5. Each extra copy at the same time costs $4. The state office in Jacksonville charges $5 for the first copy and $4 for each extra. VitalChek online orders cost $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies through VitalChek cost $4 each. Payment methods vary by location. Mail orders require a check or money order.
Where Can I Find Old Obituaries From Escambia County?
The Florida Memory Project at floridamemory.com has scanned historical records. The Pensacola News Journal has past obituaries on microfilm at West Florida Public Library. Funeral homes in Pensacola keep their own files. Online genealogy sites like Ancestry and Find a Grave have Escambia County obituaries. Some records go back to the early 1900s. The Escarosa Genealogical Society can help with local research.
What Is the Difference Between a Death Certificate and an Obituary?
A death certificate is a legal government record. It shows the person’s name, date of death, place of death, and sometimes cause of death. An obituary is a notice written by the family or funeral home. It often appears in a newspaper or online. Obituaries have family details and life stories. Death certificates have legal facts. Both can help with family history research. Death certificates work for legal matters like estate settlement and insurance claims.