Hillsborough County Florida obituary records give families, genealogists, and researchers a way to honor loved ones who passed away in this Gulf Coast region. Tampa, the county seat, holds the largest share of these records.
Death notices from cities like Brandon, Riverview, and Town ‘n’ Country sit within the county’s archive system. Anyone can search Hillsborough County Florida obituary records through state offices, funeral homes, newspapers, and online databases.
The records cover deaths from the late 1800s to today. Modern records date back to 2009 at the local county office. Older records stay with the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. Tampa newspapers like the Tampa Bay Times and the old Tampa Tribune printed thousands of Hillsborough County Florida obituary records that still help researchers today.
What Hillsborough County Florida Obituary Records Hold
Hillsborough County Florida obituary records hold two main types of documents. One type is the death certificate. The other type is the printed or online obituary notice. Each serves a different purpose for the people who search for them.
Death Certificate Details
A death certificate lists the full name of the person who died. It shows the date of death. It shows the place of death within Hillsborough County. It shows the date of birth. Some versions show the cause of death. The state issues two versions of every death certificate. One version hides the cause of death. This version stays open to anyone over age 18. The other version shows the cause of death. This version stays sealed for 50 years from the date of death.
Newspaper Obituary Details
A newspaper obituary often gives more personal details than a death certificate. It may list surviving family members. It may list the jobs the person held. It may list clubs or church groups. It may list where services took place. Newspaper obituaries ran in the Tampa Bay Times, the Tampa Tribune, and other local papers for over a century.
Funeral Home Obituary Notices
Funeral homes write their own obituary notices. These notices often appear on the funeral home website. They may also run in local newspapers. Funeral home records can show burial sites. They can show pallbearers. They can show charity donations requested in lieu of flowers.
Official Sources for Hillsborough County Records
Three state and county offices hold official death records for Hillsborough County. Each office handles different time periods and request types.
Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County
The Florida Department of Health runs a vital records office in Tampa. The office sits at 13601 N. 22nd Street, Tampa, FL 33613. The office stays open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:15 PM. Phone service runs at (813) 307-8002. This office holds death records from 2009 to today for deaths filed in Hillsborough County. Walk-in visitors can request certified copies during business hours.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics sits in Jacksonville. The address is 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone service runs at (904) 359-6900. This state office holds Florida death records dating back to 1877. Anyone who needs a Hillsborough death record from before 2009 must contact this state office.
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court keeps probate records. Probate files often hold death certificates. They hold wills. They hold estate inventories. The Clerk’s office holds these files for the whole county. Researchers who need full estate records for a Hillsborough resident should check with the Clerk of Court.
Online Obituary Databases
Several online databases hold Hillsborough County Florida obituary records. Some databases offer free searches. Other databases charge a fee or require a subscription.
Ancestry.com Florida Records
Ancestry.com holds a large collection of Florida death records. The site holds indexes from 1877 to 1939. It holds images of death certificates for many Florida counties. Subscribers can search by name and year. They can view scanned copies of the original records. Ancestry runs a paid subscription model. The site charges monthly or yearly fees for full access.
FamilySearch Florida Collections
FamilySearch offers free access to many Florida records. The site holds the Florida Death Index from 1877 to 1969. It holds other vital record collections. FamilySearch runs under the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Anyone can create a free account. Free account holders can view scanned images of original records.
Find a Grave Florida Memorials
Find a Grave holds user-submitted cemetery records. Volunteers add memorials for people buried across Florida. Each memorial shows the person’s name. It shows birth and death dates. It shows the cemetery name. It may show a photo of the gravestone. It may show obituary text copied from a newspaper.
Florida Memory Project
The Florida Memory Project runs through the State Library and Archives of Florida. The site holds historical newspapers. It holds photographs. It holds maps. Many older Florida obituaries appear in scanned newspaper collections. The site stays free to the public.
Tampa Bay Newspaper Archives
Tampa Bay newspapers printed obituary notices for over a century. These newspapers form a key source for Hillsborough County Florida obituary records. Researchers can search modern papers online. They can search older papers through library collections.
Tampa Bay Times Obituary Search
The Tampa Bay Times runs obituaries daily. The paper’s website lets users search recent obituaries. Users can search by name. They can search by date range. The Tampa Bay Times merged from two earlier papers, the Tampa Tribune and the Tampa Times. Records from these earlier papers sit in library archives.
Tampa Tribune Historical Records
The Tampa Tribune ran from 1895 to 2016. The Tribune printed obituaries every day. Researchers can locate Tribune obituaries on microfilm at local libraries. The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library holds one of the best newspaper collections in the state. The library sits at 900 N Ashley Drive in downtown Tampa.
Library Microfilm and Digital Archives
The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System runs the Genealogy Center. The center sits on the second floor of the John F. Germany Public Library. Staff help researchers use microfilm readers. Staff help researchers search digital newspaper archives. The library gives free access to Ancestry.com and other paid databases for visitors who come to the library in person.
Local Funeral Homes with Hillsborough Obituaries
Tampa area funeral homes keep their own records. These records include obituary notices. They include service details. They include burial details. Many funeral homes post current obituaries on their websites. They also keep paper records from past decades.
Major Tampa Funeral Homes
Several large funeral homes serve Hillsborough County. Blount and Curry Funeral Home runs multiple locations. MacDonald Funeral Home serves Tampa families. Gonzalez Funeral Home serves the Tampa area. Each home posts current obituaries on its website. Each home keeps archived obituaries for past clients.
Brandon and Riverview Funeral Homes
Brandon and Riverview sit just east of Tampa. Local funeral homes serve these suburbs. Stowers Funeral Home runs in Brandon. Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home serves the Riverview area. These homes post obituaries on their own sites.
Town ‘n’ Country Funeral Homes
Town ‘n’ Country sits northwest of Tampa. Several funeral homes serve this area. Each home keeps its own records. Each home posts obituaries for past clients.
Florida State Archives Obituary Collection
The State Library and Archives of Florida holds one of the largest obituary collections in the Southeast. The archives sit in Tallahassee. Researchers can visit the archives in person. Researchers can search digital collections online.
How to Access the State Archives
The State Archives sit at 500 S Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Phone service runs at (850) 245-6700. Researchers can visit Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The archives ask visitors to call ahead for special collections. Many collections also sit online through the Florida Memory Project.
What the Archives Hold
The archives hold scanned newspaper collections from across Florida. The archives hold death record indexes. The archives hold family Bible records. The archives hold church records. The archives hold cemetery records. Researchers who need Hillsborough County obituaries from the 1800s or early 1900s often locate what they need at the State Archives.
Costs and Fees for Records
Fees for Hillsborough County Florida obituary records depend on the source. State offices charge for certified copies. Online databases charge subscriptions. Some sources stay free to the public.
Death Certificate Costs at the County Office
The Hillsborough County DOH charges $10 for the first certified death certificate. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $4. A protective sheath costs $3. The $10 fee runs higher than the $5 state rate because Hillsborough County adds its own charge.
State Bureau Fees
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics charges $5 for a search and one copy of a death certificate. If the year of death stays unknown, the state charges $2 for each year searched. The total search fee caps at $50. Rush service costs an extra $10. Shipping costs $1.
Online Vendor Fees
VitalChek runs as the only state-approved online vendor for Florida death certificates. VitalChek charges $15 for the first copy. VitalChek charges $7 in processing fees. Extra copies cost $4 each. Standard shipping takes 5 to 7 business days.
Fee Comparison Table
The table below shows the cost differences between the three main sources for certified death certificates in Hillsborough County.
| Source | First Copy | Extra Copies | Search Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough County DOH | $10 | $4 each | None | Same day walk-in, 2-3 weeks mail |
| Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics | $5 + shipping | $4 each | $2 per year (cap $50) | 4-6 weeks |
| VitalChek Online | $15 + $7 fee | $4 each | None | 5-7 business days |
How to Request Records by Mail or In Person
People who live outside the Tampa area often request records by mail. Local residents often visit the office in person. Each approach has its own procedure.
In Person Request Steps
Visitors to the Hillsborough County vital records office need a valid photo ID. They need the full name of the person who died. They need the date of death. They need the place of death. A date of birth helps the search. A Social Security number helps the search. Visitors fill out form DH727 on site. The office processes most requests during the visit.
Mail Request Steps
Mail requests start with form DH727. The form sits on the Florida Department of Health website. Mail requesters print the form and fill it out. Mail requesters include a photocopy of their photo ID. Mail requesters include a check or money order. Mail requesters include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders go to the same Tampa office that handles walk-in visitors. Mail orders take 2 to 3 weeks.
Historical Hillsborough County Obituary Records
Hillsborough County dates back to 1834. The county has deep roots in Florida history. Older death records hold value for genealogists. Older death records hold value for estate researchers. Older death records hold value for historians.
Records Before 2009
The Hillsborough County DOH only holds records from 2009 forward. Researchers who need records before 2009 must contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. The state holds Florida death records back to 1877. Researchers must request these older records from the state office in Jacksonville.
Records Before 1877
Florida did not require statewide death registration until 1877. Records before 1877 may sit in church files. Records before 1877 may sit in cemetery logs. Records before 1877 may sit in newspaper archives. Researchers who need pre-1877 data should check these local sources.
Genealogy Research Tips
Genealogy researchers should check the FamilySearch Florida Death Index. Researchers should check Ancestry.com Florida records. Researchers should check Find a Grave. Researchers should check Tampa Bay newspaper archives. Researchers should check Hillsborough County probate files through the Clerk of Court. Each source covers a different time period and a different record type.
Florida Public Records Laws
Florida public records laws give the public wide access to government records. Death records follow specific rules under state law.
Sunshine Law Access
Florida’s Sunshine Law under Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes gives the public the right to see most government records. Death certificates without cause of death stay open to the public. Anyone age 18 or older can request these copies. Requesters do not need to show any family relationship.
Restricted Records
Cause of death stays sealed for 50 years from the date of death. Only a surviving spouse can get a death certificate with cause of death. Only a parent can get a death certificate with cause of death. Only an adult child can get a death certificate with cause of death. Only an adult grandchild can get a death certificate with cause of death. Only an adult sibling can get a death certificate with cause of death. A court order can also release the cause of death. Form DH 1959 helps applicants show their legal right to the restricted record.
Penalties for False Statements
Florida law treats false statements on vital records applications as a third-degree felony under Chapter 775. Anyone who lies on a death certificate request faces serious legal consequences. All applicants must use correct and true details.
Nearby County Obituary Sources
Researchers who cannot locate a record in Hillsborough County may need to check nearby counties. Each neighboring county runs its own vital records office.
Pinellas County Records
Pinellas County sits west of Hillsborough County across Tampa Bay. The Pinellas County vital records office sits in Clearwater. The office holds records for deaths in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Largo. Phone service runs through the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County.
Pasco County Records
Pasco County sits north of Hillsborough County. The Pasco County vital records office sits in New Port Richey. The office holds records for deaths in New Port Richey, Zephyrhills, and Dade City.
Polk County Records
Polk County sits east of Hillsborough County. The Polk County vital records office sits in Bartow. The office holds records for deaths in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Bartow.
Contact Details and Office Map
The Hillsborough County vital records office sits at 13601 N. 22nd Street, Tampa, FL 33613. Phone service runs at (813) 307-8002. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:15 PM. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics sits at 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone service runs at (904) 359-6900.
Office Contact Details
The table below lists phone numbers, addresses, and office hours for the main sources of Hillsborough County Florida obituary records.
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough County DOH | 13601 N. 22nd St, Tampa, FL 33613 | (813) 307-8002 | Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:15 PM |
| Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics | 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 | (904) 359-6900 | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Florida State Archives | 500 S Bronough St, Tallahassee, FL 32399 | (850) 245-6700 | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library | 900 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 | (813) 273-3652 | Monday-Sunday, hours vary |
Office Location Map
The map below shows the location of the Hillsborough County vital records office in Tampa.
Frequently Asked Questions
People often ask questions about how to locate Hillsborough County Florida obituary records. The questions below cover the most common needs for families, genealogists, and estate researchers. The answers below give clear facts based on current Florida law and office procedures. Each answer cites specific office addresses, fees, and statutes where relevant.
How far back do Hillsborough County death records go?
The Hillsborough County Department of Health vital records office holds death certificates from 2009 forward for deaths filed within the county. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds statewide death records back to 1877, when Florida first required statewide death registration. Researchers who need Hillsborough County death records before 2009 must contact the state office in Jacksonville. Records from before 1877 may sit in church records, cemetery logs, or newspaper archives, since Florida did not require statewide registration before that year. Hillsborough County itself formed in 1834, so researchers can locate pre-1877 data in local sources. The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library genealogy center can help point researchers to newspaper microfilm collections that may hold early obituaries. Researchers should plan to check several sources to build a complete picture of older deaths.
Can anyone get a death certificate in Hillsborough County?
Yes, under Florida law, anyone age 18 or older can request a death certificate without the cause of death in Hillsborough County. The Florida Department of Health makes these certificates public records. Requesters do not need to be a family member. Requesters do not need to show a specific reason. They only need to fill out form DH727 and show a valid photo ID at the county vital records office. They can also order by mail or through VitalChek online. The version without cause of death shows the person’s name, date of death, place of death, date of birth, and other key details. The state blacks out the first five digits of the Social Security number under Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. This public access helps genealogists, estate researchers, and other people who need death details for non-legal purposes.
How much does a Hillsborough County death certificate cost?
The Hillsborough County Department of Health charges $10 for the first certified copy of a death certificate. This fee runs higher than the $5 state base rate because Hillsborough County adds a local fee. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $4. A protective sheath for the certificate costs $3. Mail orders need a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Health. Mail orders should include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Online orders through VitalChek cost $15 for the first copy plus $7 in processing fees. Extra copies through VitalChek cost $4 each. Standard shipping takes 5 to 7 business days. Researchers on a budget should consider visiting the Tampa office in person to save on the higher VitalChek processing fee.
Where can I locate old Tampa newspaper obituaries?
Old Tampa newspaper obituaries sit in several collections. The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library holds a large microfilm collection of the Tampa Tribune and Tampa Times at the John F. Germany Public Library downtown. The library gives free access to digital newspaper databases for visitors who come to the building in person. The Florida Memory Project online archive holds scanned Tampa newspapers from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Ancestry.com holds Tampa Tribune obituary collections within its newspaper archives for paying subscribers. Newspapers.com also indexes many Tampa obituaries for paying subscribers. Researchers should call the library ahead of time to ask about microfilm reader availability. The library staff can help visitors navigate the genealogy center’s collections. Many local historical societies keep newspaper clipping files organized by name and topic.
Are Florida obituaries free to search online?
Some Florida obituary searches stay free. FamilySearch offers free accounts and holds the Florida Death Index from 1877 to 1969 with images. The Florida Memory Project stays free for all users and holds scanned historical newspapers with obituary text. Find a Grave stays free for all users and holds user-submitted memorials with photos and obituary text. Local funeral home websites post current obituaries for free. Some local newspapers post recent obituaries for free on their websites. Ancestry.com charges a monthly or yearly subscription fee for full access to its Florida obituary collections. Newspapers.com also charges a subscription fee. Researchers on a budget can build a solid obituary collection using only the free sites, though paid sites may give access to more records and faster search tools.
How long does it take to get a death certificate by mail?
Mail orders through the Hillsborough County Department of Health take 2 to 3 weeks to process. The Tampa office processes mail requests at the same location where walk-in visitors go. Mail orders through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics take longer because the state office sits in Jacksonville, which adds mail transit time. Researchers who need older records from the state office should plan for 4 to 6 weeks total. Online orders through VitalChek take 5 to 7 business days with standard shipping. Rush service through the state office costs an extra $10 and can cut the timeline down. Researchers who need a death certificate quickly should consider visiting the Tampa office in person for same-day service. Visitors should arrive early because the office can get busy.
Can I get a death certificate with the cause of death?
Cause of death stays sealed for 50 years from the date of death in Florida. After 50 years, the cause of death becomes part of the public record. Before 50 years, only a surviving spouse, parent, adult child, adult grandchild, adult sibling, or a person with a court order can get the cause of death. Applicants must fill out form DH 1959 to show their legal right to the restricted record. The county vital records office staff can walk applicants through the form if needed. The form requires proof of relationship, like a marriage certificate for a spouse or a birth certificate for a child. Researchers who need cause of death for medical or legal reasons should consult a lawyer about getting a court order. Family members who need cause of death for insurance or estate work should bring all supporting documents at the time of the request.