Miramar City Florida obituary records are public files held by the Florida Department of Health in Broward County and the State Vital Statistics Office in Jacksonville. Anyone who needs a death record for a Miramar resident can get one through a county office, a state office, a mail request, or an online service.
Each path has its own cost, wait time, and rules about who can see the cause of death. This page covers the full set of options, the rules for access, the fees, and the local sources where you can search Miramar City Florida obituary records.
What Miramar City Florida Obituary Records Contain
Miramar City Florida obituary records include two kinds of files. The first is the official death certificate, which is a state record. The second is the published obituary notice, which is written by a funeral home or a family member and printed in a newspaper or posted on a website. Both files serve a different purpose and are stored at different offices. Knowing where each file lives saves time when you need to search.
Death Certificates Filed by the State
A death certificate in Florida is a legal file that shows the full name of the person who died, the date of death, the place of death, and the cause of death. It is filed by the funeral home with the Florida Department of Health. For Miramar residents, that file is first sent to the Broward County Department of Health in Fort Lauderdale. The state office in Jacksonville keeps a copy of every Florida death record going back to 1877. Miramar became a city in 1955, so all of its death certificates fall within this state record range.
Published Obituary Notices
Published obituaries are short notices about a person’s death. They usually list the name, age, place of death, and details about the funeral service. They may also mention family members and donations. Obituary notices for Miramar residents appear in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, and on funeral home websites. They are not legal files, but they help people confirm that a death took place and find the date of services.
Why Miramar Records Are Handled by Broward County
Miramar is a city in the southern part of Broward County, near the Miami-Dade County line. The city has its own police department, fire rescue, and city hall, but it does not run a vital records office. Death certificates for Miramar residents are processed at the Broward County Department of Health office in Fort Lauderdale. The address is 2421-A SW 6th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Office Hours and Closures
The Broward County DOH office closes at 3:00 PM on the third Thursday of every month. Call ahead before driving over from Miramar if your visit falls on a Thursday. The office is closed on state and federal holidays. Walk-in customers are accepted, and most requests for a death certificate are filled the same day. Bring a photo ID and the basic facts about the person who died: full name, date of death, and place of death.
Driving Directions from Miramar
The drive from Miramar to the Fort Lauderdale DOH office runs about 20 miles. One common route is I-75 north to I-595 east, then south on US-1 to SW 6th Ave. Another route is Pembroke Road east to I-95 north. Afternoon traffic on I-75 and I-595 can add 20 to 40 minutes to the drive. Morning visits are faster and parking at the office is easier before 10:00 AM.
Three Ways to Get a Miramar Death Certificate
You can order a Miramar death certificate three ways. The right path depends on how fast you need the record, how many copies you need, and where you live. Each method is described below, followed by a side-by-side comparison table that shows the cost, wait time, and best use case for each option.
In-Person Requests at the Fort Lauderdale Office
Walk-in requests are the fastest path. You fill out the DH727 form at the counter, show your ID, and pay the fee. The first copy costs $5. Each extra copy costs $4. Most walk-in customers leave with their certified copy the same day. This path works best for people who live near Fort Lauderdale or who can make the drive from Miramar during business hours.
Mail-In Requests to the State Office
Mail orders are sent to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. You send a completed DH727 form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $6. That $6 covers the $5 search fee plus $1 for shipping. Processing takes four to six weeks. Adding $10 for rush service cuts the wait time down.
Online and Phone Orders Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the state’s official online vendor. You can order at vitalchek.com or call 1-877-550-7330. The first copy costs $15. A $7 processing fee applies. Delivery takes two to three weeks. VitalChek ships certified copies to your Miramar address. The cost is higher than the other paths, but you never leave your home.
| Method | Cost for First Copy | Wait Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Person at Fort Lauderdale DOH | $5 | Same Day | People near Broward County |
| Mail to Jacksonville State Office | $5 + $1 shipping | 4 to 6 Weeks | People not in a hurry |
| VitalChek Online or Phone | $15 + $7 processing | 2 to 3 Weeks | Remote customers |
Miramar Death Certificate Fees in Detail
The fees for Florida death certificates are set by the state. They apply to Miramar, Fort Lauderdale, and every other city in Florida. Knowing the full fee schedule helps you order the right number of copies and skip extra trips.
Standard Search and Copy Fees
The first certified copy of a death record costs $5. This fee covers the search and one copy. Each extra certified copy of the same record costs $4. Many families need more than one copy after a death. Banks, insurance companies, and Social Security often ask for a separate certified copy.
Rush Service and Shipping
Rush service for mail orders costs $10. With rush service, the state tries to mail the record within 5 business days. Regular mail shipping is $1 per order. VitalChek does not offer a rush option, but their standard two to three week shipping is faster than regular mail.
Payment Methods Accepted
The Fort Lauderdale DOH office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit cards. Call (954) 467-4455 before your visit to confirm card acceptance. Mail orders must be paid by check or money order made out to Vital Statistics. VitalChek accepts credit and debit cards online and by phone.
Who Can Request Miramar Death Records
Florida law divides death records into two groups. The rules apply in Miramar, in Broward County, and across the state. Knowing which group you need saves time and prevents a wasted trip.
Public Death Records Without Cause of Death
Anyone 18 or older can order a death record that does not show the cause of death. This public version lists the name, date of death, place of death, and basic facts. It is enough for genealogy research, confirming a death for an insurance claim, and other non-legal needs. This public access is set by Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.
Restricted Death Records With Cause of Death
The full death record, which includes the cause of death, is private for 50 years. Only certain people can get this version. They are the spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandchild, or a person with a court order. You must show proof of your relationship when you order. A birth certificate, marriage license, or court document serves as proof. The rules are in Chapter 382 of the Florida Statutes.
Where to Find Miramar Obituary Notices
Published obituaries for Miramar residents appear in newspapers and on funeral home websites. These notices are the fastest way to confirm a death and find funeral service details. They are not legal files, but they are useful for most non-legal needs.
Sun Sentinel Obituaries for Broward County
The Sun Sentinel is the main daily newspaper for Broward County. Obituary notices for Miramar residents appear in the daily print edition and on the newspaper’s website at sun-sentinel.com. The newspaper keeps an online archive going back many years. A search by name and date range works for most cases.
Miami Herald Obituaries Near the County Line
Miramar sits near the Miami-Dade County line. Families near the border often publish obituaries in the Miami Herald as well. The Miami Herald online archive at miamiherald.com covers obituaries for both counties. A search by full name and city will turn up notices from either paper.
Local Funeral Home Websites
Most funeral homes in Miramar and across South Florida post obituaries on their own websites. Common funeral homes serving Miramar residents include Fred Hunter’s Funeral Home, T.M. Ralph Funeral Homes, and Joseph A. Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel. Each website has a search box where you can search by name and date range. These sites also post service times, burial locations, and family contact details.
Legacy.com and Tribute Archive
Legacy.com is the largest online obituary database in the United States. It collects notices from over 1,000 newspapers, including the Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. You can search by name, city, and date range for free. Tribute Archive is a paid service that adds historical newspaper obituary scans. Both sites cover Miramar and the rest of Broward County.
Florida Obituary Records by County
Miramar is one of many cities in Florida with its own vital records setup. Other counties run their own Department of Health offices. Each office issues death certificates for the cities in that county. The table at the end of this section lists each major county, its main city, and the office phone number.
Miami-Dade County Death Records
The Miami-Dade County Department of Health office issues death certificates for cities like Hialeah, Miami Gardens, and North Miami Beach. The office is at 1350 NW 14th St, Miami, FL 33125. The phone number is (305) 324-2400. Miami-Dade County death records are also available through the state office and VitalChek.
Broward County Death Records
Broward County covers Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, and Davie. All death certificates for these cities go through the Fort Lauderdale DOH office at 2421-A SW 6th Ave. The phone number is (954) 467-4455. The office holds records from 2009 to the present. Older records are kept at the state office in Jacksonville.
Hillsborough and Pinellas County Death Records
The Hillsborough County Department of Health office in Tampa covers Tampa, Brandon, and Plant City. Tampa Bay Times obituaries are the main newspaper source for these cities. The Pinellas County office in St. Petersburg covers St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Largo. Death certificates for both counties are also at the state office and VitalChek.
Duval County and Orange County Death Records
The Duval County Department of Health office in Jacksonville covers Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, and Atlantic Beach. The Florida Times-Union is the main newspaper source for these cities. The Orange County office in Orlando covers Orlando, Winter Park, and Kissimmee. The Orlando Sentinel is the main newspaper source. Both counties use the state office and VitalChek as backup options.
| County | Main City | DOH Office Phone | Main Newspaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | Miami | (305) 324-2400 | Miami Herald |
| Broward | Fort Lauderdale | (954) 467-4455 | Sun Sentinel |
| Hillsborough | Tampa | (813) 307-8000 | Tampa Bay Times |
| Pinellas | St. Petersburg | (727) 824-6900 | Tampa Bay Times |
| Duval | Jacksonville | (904) 253-1000 | Florida Times-Union |
| Orange | Orlando | (407) 858-1400 | Orlando Sentinel |
| Palm Beach | West Palm Beach | (561) 840-4500 | Palm Beach Post |
Florida State Library and Free Genealogy Archives
Older Florida obituary records and death files are kept at the State Library and Archives of Florida in Tallahassee. The library runs a free digital archive called Florida Memory. This archive is the best free source for old obituaries and death-related newspaper articles.
Florida Memory Digital Archive
Florida Memory is at floridamemory.com. It has scanned newspapers from across the state, going back to the 1800s. The collection includes death notices, funeral announcements, and probate records. You can search by name, county, and year. The site is free to use and does not require an account.
Broward County Library Genealogy Resources
The Broward County Library system has a genealogy section at the Main Library in Fort Lauderdale. The collection includes local history books, city directories, and newspaper microfilm. Library card holders can use these records for free. The library also offers free access to genealogy databases like Ancestry.com Library Edition from inside the library.
FamilySearch.org Free Records
FamilySearch.org is a free genealogy database run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has indexed death records, cemetery records, and obituaries from Florida and across the United States. You can search by name, date range, and place. A free account is required to view some records.
Free Florida Obituary Search Options
Many obituary records in Florida are free to search. Paid services have more records, but free sites cover most needs. Here is the full list of free sources for Miramar City Florida obituary records.
- Sun Sentinel online obituary archive at legacy.com
- Miami Herald online obituary archive at legacy.com
- Florida Memory at floridamemory.com
- FamilySearch.org free genealogy database
- Broward County Library genealogy section
- Find a Grave at findagrave.com
- BillionGraves at billiongraves.com
- Local funeral home websites
Miramar Historical Records and Time Periods
Miramar was incorporated as a city in 1955. Death records for Miramar residents from 1955 to 2009 are kept at the Florida state office in Jacksonville. Records from 2009 to the present are kept at the Broward County DOH office. Researchers who need records from before 1955 will find them under Broward County, since the area was part of unincorporated Broward County at that time.
Records Before 1955
The area that became Miramar was part of unincorporated Broward County before 1955. Death records from that time period are kept at the state office in Jacksonville under the Broward County file. The Florida Memory digital archive has scanned newspaper notices from that era. Researchers often find obituaries in the Fort Lauderdale News and the Miami Daily News from the 1920s through the 1950s.
Records From 1955 to 2008
Death certificates from 1955 to 2008 for Miramar residents are kept at the state office in Jacksonville. You can order these by mail or through VitalChek. The Broward County Library and Florida Memory both have obituaries from this period in their collections. The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald both ran detailed obituaries throughout this time range.
Records From 2009 to the Present
Death certificates from 2009 to the present are kept at the Broward County DOH office in Fort Lauderdale. Walk-in requests for these records are filled the same day. Online orders through VitalChek take two to three weeks. Newspaper obituaries for this period are on the Sun Sentinel website and Legacy.com.
Contact Details for Miramar Obituary Sources
This list has the direct contact details for every office and source named above. Save these for future reference when you need to order a record or reach a department. Each office has its own hours and accepted payment methods, so call ahead if you have a tight timeline.
Broward County Department of Health
The main office for Miramar death certificates is at 2421-A SW 6th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. Phone: (954) 467-4455. 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.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The state office that holds older Miramar records is at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone: (904) 359-6900. Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Mail requests take four to six weeks.
VitalChek Customer Service
VitalChek handles online and phone orders. Website: vitalchek.com. Phone: 1-877-550-7330. Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most orders ship within two to three weeks.
Sun Sentinel and Legacy.com
The Sun Sentinel newspaper archive is at legacy.com/us/obituaries/sunsentinel. The Sun Sentinel main office is at 333 SW 12th Ave, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442. Phone: (954) 356-4000.
Florida Memory Archive
The Florida Memory digital archive is at floridamemory.com. The State Library and Archives of Florida is at 500 S Bronough St, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Phone: (850) 245-6600.
To find the Broward County Department of Health office on a map, search the address 2421-A SW 6th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 in Google Maps or Apple Maps. The office sits one block south of Davie Boulevard, between SW 24th Avenue and SW 27th Avenue. Free public parking is available in the lot on the north side of the building.
Frequently Asked Questions
People who search Miramar City Florida obituary records often ask similar questions. The answers below cover the most common cases, the most common fees, and the most common mistakes to avoid when ordering. These details help anyone save time and money on their search. Each answer is written to stand alone and can be used as a quick reference when you need a clear next step.
How Do I Search Miramar Obituary Records for Free?
You can search Miramar City Florida obituary records for free on Legacy.com, Florida Memory, FamilySearch.org, Find a Grave, BillionGraves, and most local funeral home websites. Each site lets you search by full name and date range without an account. Florida Memory is the best free source for old obituaries from the 1950s and earlier because it has scanned newspaper pages from across the state. Legacy.com is the best free source for recent obituaries from the Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. Find a Grave and BillionGraves are best for cemetery burial records linked to an obituary notice. The Broward County Library also offers free in-library access to Ancestry.com, which has indexed Miramar obituary notices from local newspapers. FamilySearch.org has indexed death records, cemetery records, and obituary abstracts from Florida and across the country. None of these free sites require a paid subscription for basic searches.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Miramar Death Certificate?
The wait time for a Miramar death certificate depends on the method you choose. A walk-in request at the Broward County DOH office in Fort Lauderdale is filled the same day, often within an hour if you arrive early. A mail order to the state office in Jacksonville takes four to six weeks for standard service. With rush service for an extra $10, mail orders arrive within 5 business days from the date the state office receives the form. An online order through VitalChek takes two to three weeks because the file goes through a separate fulfillment vendor. The fastest path is the walk-in request at the Fort Lauderdale office. The slowest path is the standard mail order. Plan ahead based on your deadline and choose the method that matches your schedule.
Can I Get a Miramar Death Record If I Am Not Family?
You can get a Miramar death record without the cause of death if you are 18 or older. This public record shows the name, date, and place of death. It does not show the cause of death. You cannot get the cause of death unless you are a spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandchild, or have a court order. Genealogy researchers, journalists, and members of the general public often order the public version without the cause of death. To order, fill out the DH727 form at the Fort Lauderdale office, or order online through VitalChek. You must show a photo ID and provide the full name, date of death, and place of death for the person on the record. The fee is $5 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy.
Difference Between an Obituary and Death Certificate
An obituary is a short notice published by a funeral home or family. It lists the name, age, date of death, and service details. It is not a legal file. A death certificate is a state file filed by the funeral home with the Department of Health. It is a legal file. Banks, insurance companies, probate courts, and the Social Security Administration ask for the death certificate, not the obituary. The obituary is a public notice that anyone can read in a newspaper or online. The death certificate is a state record that requires a request and a fee. Obituaries help families and friends learn about a death and find service details. Death certificates help families settle legal, financial, and property matters after a death. Both files together give a full picture of the death for any purpose.
Where Can I Find Old Miramar Obituaries From the 1960s?
Old Miramar obituaries from the 1960s are on Florida Memory, Find a Grave, FamilySearch.org, and the Broward County Library genealogy section. The Fort Lauderdale News and the Miami Herald both ran obituaries from that era. Florida Memory has scanned newspaper pages from across Florida going back to the 1800s, and you can search by name and year on the site. The Broward County Library has microfilm copies of the Fort Lauderdale News and Miami Herald from the 1960s for in-library use. FamilySearch.org has indexed obituary abstracts from Florida newspapers. Find a Grave has cemetery photos and burial records linked to obituary notices from that decade. For death certificates from the 1960s, you must order them through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.
Can I Order Florida Death Records Online?
You can order Florida death records online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. The cost is $15 plus a $7 processing fee for the first copy. Each extra copy is $4. The records are mailed to your home address. Delivery takes two to three weeks. You need a credit or debit card and a copy of your photo ID uploaded online to complete the order. You also need the full name, date of death, and place of death of the person on the record. The order is sent to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville for processing, then mailed back to you. If the state cannot find the record, the $15 fee is refunded. VitalChek is the only state-approved online vendor for Florida death certificates.
What Documents Do I Need for a Miramar Death Record?
You need a photo ID and a completed DH727 form to order a Miramar death record at the Broward County DOH office. For mail orders, you need a copy of your photo ID, a signed DH727 form, and a check or money order for the search fee plus shipping. For VitalChek orders, you need a credit or debit card and a copy of your photo ID uploaded online. You also need the full name, date of death, and place of death of the person on the record. The Social Security number can speed up the search but is not required. If you are ordering a restricted record with the cause of death, you must also show proof of your relationship to the deceased. A birth certificate, marriage license, or court document works as proof. Without the right documents, the office will not process your order.
Authority and Entity Expansion Topics
This list adds topics that grow topical authority over time. Each item answers a related user question and adds a new search term to the page. Adding sections for each one would strengthen the topical authority of the page over time and build a deeper resource for Miramar City Florida obituary records.
- Miramar probate court records and how they connect to death files
- Miramar cemetery records and burial sites for local residents
- Florida Social Security death index records for Miramar
- Miramar funeral home price lists and required disclosures
- Florida vital records request forms DH727 and DH727S in Spanish
- Miramar city hall services for grieving families and local aid
- Broward County courthouse records for estate and will filings
- Florida military veteran death records and VA burial benefits
- Miramar historical population growth and how it changed local record keeping
- Florida notarial requirements for certified death record copies