Port St Lucie City Florida obituary records are managed by the St. Lucie County Department of Health, local funeral homes, and several state and national archives.
Port St. Lucie sits on Florida’s Treasure Coast and has grown to more than 258,000 residents. Death records and obituary notices for this city date back decades. You can search these records online, request copies in person, or check old newspaper files. This page explains every option, fee, and office you need.
St. Lucie County Vital Records Office
The St. Lucie County Department of Health office handles all death records for Port St. Lucie. The office keeps death certificates from 2009 to the present. It is located inside the city, which means residents do not have to travel far.
Office Location and Hours
The office sits at 5150 NW Milner Dr, Port St. Lucie, FL 34983. You can walk in Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Calling ahead at (772) 462-3800 will give you the latest hours and wait times. The local office is often less busy than offices in larger Florida cities.
What You Need to Visit
Bring a valid photo ID when you go to the office. Fill out the request form at the front desk. Pay the fee, and staff can usually process your request the same day. This is the fastest route when you need a certified copy right away.
How to Request Death Certificates in Port St. Lucie
You can get death records three ways: in person, by mail, or online. Each method works for different needs. Some are faster, and some cost less.
In-Person Requests at the DOH
Walk-in service at the NW Milner Drive office is the quickest path for recent deaths. You leave with a certified copy the same day. Staff can answer questions and help you fill out forms. Most visits take less than 30 minutes.
Mail Requests Using Form DH727
Mail requests use Form DH727 from the Florida Department of Health website. Send the filled form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order to the St. Lucie County DOH. Mail requests take two to three weeks to process. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville also accepts mail requests and holds records back to 1877.
Online Orders Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the approved online service for Florida death certificates. The fee is $15 for the first copy plus $7 for processing. Shipping takes five to seven business days. You can also order by phone at 1-877-550-7330. This option works well if you cannot visit the office during the week.
Who Can Get Death Records in Florida
Florida law controls who can request death certificates. The rules apply across the state, including Port St. Lucie.
Public Death Certificates Without Cause of Death
A death certificate without the cause of death is a public record. Any person 18 or older can request one. You do not need to be a family member. This version works for most needs, from settling estates to insurance claims and family tree research.
Confidential Death Certificates With Cause of Death
A death certificate that includes the cause of death stays confidential for 50 years under Florida law. Only immediate family members and legal representatives can get this version. You must show proof of your relationship at the DOH counter. A court order can also grant access for legal needs.
Death Certificate Fees in Port St. Lucie
Fees depend on where and how you order. Below is what you can expect to pay at each location.
- St. Lucie County DOH certified copy: call (772) 462-3800 for the current fee
- State bureau search and one copy by mail: $5
- State bureau extra copies by mail: $4 each
- State bureau rush processing: $10 extra
- VitalChek online order: $15 plus a $7 processing fee
Cheapest Way to Get Multiple Copies
The state bureau in Jacksonville is the cheapest option for multiple copies. The first copy costs $5 and extra copies cost $4 each. For a single copy with same-day service, the local Port St. Lucie DOH is the most convenient choice. Always call ahead to confirm current fees before paying.
Port St. Lucie Obituary Resources
Obituary notices for Port St. Lucie residents appear in local papers, library archives, funeral home websites, and state databases. Each source covers different time periods.
Treasure Coast Newspapers and TCPalm
Local newspapers like TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers publish obituaries for Port St. Lucie and surrounding towns. These papers keep archives of past notices going back many years. You can search recent obituaries on the TCPalm website. Older notices may require a library visit or a paid archive subscription.
Florida Memory Digital Archives
The Florida Memory project at floridamemory.com holds digitized records from the State Archives. The collection includes vital records indexes, military service cards, and pension files. These records are searchable online at no cost. This is a strong option for old Florida obituaries and Treasure Coast deaths before 2009.
FamilySearch Florida Obituaries
FamilySearch.org has a large free collection of Florida obituary records. The site includes records from many counties, including St. Lucie. You can search by name, date, and location. A free FamilySearch account gives you full access to these records.
Funeral Home Records in Port St. Lucie
Local funeral homes keep records of the services they handle. These records can fill in gaps when official certificates are missing or hard to find.
Major Port St. Lucie Funeral Homes
Yates Funeral Home, Aycock Funeral Home, and Haisley Funeral Home serve Port St. Lucie residents. Each home keeps files with obituary text, service dates, and family contact details. Calling the funeral home directly is often the fastest way to confirm whether they handled a service.
What Funeral Home Records Include
Funeral home files often contain full obituary text, photos, guest book entries, and service details. Some records go back 30 years or more. These files are not public by law, but staff will often share details with family members and people doing research.
St. Lucie County Library System
The St. Lucie County Library System has branches inside Port St. Lucie with strong genealogy collections. Library staff can help you search old records.
Newspaper Archives at the Library
Library branches hold microfilm reels and digital newspaper databases. You can search for obituaries by name and date. The Lakewood Park branch and the Zora Neale Hurston branch both have genealogy rooms. Library computers give you free access to several paid newspaper archive sites.
Free Genealogy Help from Librarians
Library staff are trained in genealogy research. They can help you use databases like Ancestry, Newspapers.com, and Fold3 at no cost. You do not need a library card to use in-branch computers, but a card gives you more access to online tools from home.
Statewide Florida Death Records and Obituaries
State and national databases cover deaths across Florida. These tools help when local sources come up short.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville
The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds Florida death records from 1877 to the present. You can request copies by mail or in person. The bureau is the official source for older records that county offices do not keep.
Ancestry.com Florida Death Records
Ancestry.com holds large collections of Florida death indexes and obituary records. A paid subscription gives you full access. The site includes state death indexes, newspaper obituary collections, and family tree records linked to specific deaths.
Find a Grave Florida Memorials
Find a Grave is a free site with millions of memorial records. The Florida section covers all counties. Volunteers post photos of gravestones, obituary text, and family links. You can search by last name, first name, and cemetery location.
Searching Florida Obituaries by Date and County
Some searches need specific filters. Florida obituary search by date and Florida obituary search by county are common needs. Here is how to narrow your search.
Search by Date Range
Newspaper archive databases let you set date ranges for your search. TCPalm, Newspapers.com, and GenealogyBank all support this feature. Setting a date range removes unrelated results and saves time. Death certificates are also organized by year of death at the county DOH.
Search by County
Each Florida county has its own DOH office and local newspaper. Searching by county narrows results to one area. For Port St. Lucie, the county is St. Lucie. Surrounding counties include Martin, Indian River, and Okeechobee.
Nearby Florida County Obituary Records
Other Florida counties also hold obituary records that can help with Port St. Lucie research. Family members often move between nearby counties.
Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, and Palm Beach Records
Broward County, Duval County, Hillsborough County, Palm Beach County, and Pinellas County each run their own DOH vital records offices. These offices hold death records and can help with genealogy searches. Miami-Dade, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa obituary records are available through the county offices and local papers in those cities.
Treasure Coast Region Records
The Treasure Coast includes St. Lucie, Martin, and Indian River counties. Each county has its own records office. The Indian River County DOH and the Martin County DOH both hold death certificates from 2009 to the present. Cross-county searches are common for families who lived in the region.
Florida Probate Court and Estate Records
Florida probate court records can also point to obituary details. Probate files often include death certificates, will copies, and estate papers.
St. Lucie County Clerk of Court
The St. Lucie County Clerk of Court holds probate records for the county. You can search probate files online or visit the courthouse in Fort Pierce. Probate files often list the death date, full legal name, and last address of the person who died.
Free Florida Obituary Search Options
Several free tools help with Florida obituary searches. These sites do not charge for basic record access.
Free State and Federal Resources
- Florida Memory at floridamemory.com
- FamilySearch at familysearch.org
- Find a Grave at findagrave.com
- Newspaper archives at local libraries
- USGenWeb Florida at usgenweb.org
What Free Sites Often Lack
Free sites may not include full obituary text. Some show only names and dates. Others have gaps in coverage. Paid sites like Ancestry and Newspapers.com fill these gaps with full newspaper pages and richer records.
Recent Florida Obituaries in 2026
Recent obituaries for 2026 appear online within days of the death. Funeral home websites post obituaries right away. Local newspapers post them in the days after the service.
Where to Find 2026 Obituaries
Start with the funeral home website. Most Port St. Lucie funeral homes post new obituaries on their own sites. TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers also carry recent notices. FamilySearch and Ancestry update their collections weekly.
How Long Obituaries Stay Online
Funeral home websites keep obituary pages online for several months to several years. Newspaper sites keep notices for 30 to 90 days before moving them to archives. Paid archive databases keep notices for decades.
Florida Cemetery Records
Cemetery records can confirm deaths and link to obituaries. Many cemeteries in Port St. Lucie keep burial records going back many years.
Local Port St. Lucie Cemeteries
Port St. Lucie has several active and historical cemeteries. The St. Lucie County Cemetery Records database is available through the county library system. Records include burial dates, plot numbers, and sometimes obituary text.
Tips for Accurate Florida Obituary Searches
Small steps can save hours of search time. Here are practical tips that work.
Use Full Name and Date Variations
Search the full legal name first. Try nicknames and middle names next. Women may appear under both maiden and married names. Common misspellings are also worth checking.
Check Multiple Sources
No single source has every obituary. Check funeral homes, newspapers, FamilySearch, and Find a Grave. Cross-checking helps confirm details and fill in gaps from one source.
Contact and Location for Port St. Lucie Records
Before you visit or call, here is the key contact data for the main office handling Port St. Lucie death records.
- Office: St. Lucie County Department of Health – Vital Records
- Address: 5150 NW Milner Dr, Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
- Phone: (772) 462-3800
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (call to confirm)
- Website: stlucie.floridahealth.gov
- State Bureau: Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, Jacksonville, FL
- State Phone: 1-877-550-7330 (VitalChek)
Frequently Asked Questions
This section covers common questions about Port St. Lucie and Florida obituary records. These answers help with searches, requests, fees, and access rules. Each answer gives clear steps based on Florida law and county office practice.
How far back do Port St. Lucie death records go?
The St. Lucie County DOH holds death certificates from 2009 to the present. For deaths before 2009, the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds the records back to 1877. Older newspaper obituaries appear in local library archives and on Florida Memory.
Can I get a death certificate without being a family member?
Yes. A death certificate without the cause of death is a public record. Any person 18 or older can request one. You do not need to prove a family relationship. A certificate with the cause of death requires proof of relationship or a court order.
What is the cheapest way to get a Florida death certificate?
The cheapest option is a mail request to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. The first copy costs $5 and extra copies cost $4 each. Online orders through VitalChek cost $15 plus a $7 processing fee. Local DOH walk-in fees vary by county.
Where can I find old Florida obituaries for free?
Florida Memory, Find a Grave, FamilySearch, and USGenWeb all offer free obituary searches. Local libraries also give free access to newspaper databases. These sources cover different time periods, so check several.
Do funeral homes in Port St. Lucie keep old obituary records?
Yes. Funeral homes keep files for every service they handle. Some files go back 30 years or more. Calling the funeral home directly is the fastest way to check. Staff will share details with family members and researchers.
How long does it take to get a death certificate by mail in Florida?
Mail requests to the county DOH take two to three weeks. Mail requests to the state bureau also take two to three weeks. Rush processing is available for an extra $10 fee. Online orders through VitalChek ship in five to seven business days.
Can I search Florida obituaries by county?
Yes. Each Florida county has its own DOH office and local newspaper archive. FamilySearch, Ancestry, and Find a Grave all let you filter by county. For Port St. Lucie, search St. Lucie County records first, then check nearby Martin, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties.
Are 2026 Florida obituaries available online?
Yes. Recent 2026 obituaries appear on funeral home websites within days of the death. Local newspapers like TCPalm post notices shortly after the service. FamilySearch and Ancestry update their collections weekly with new records from across Florida.