Bradford County Florida obituary records help you search for death notices and memorial tributes for people who lived in this North Florida region. The county seat is Starke, and the local vital records office holds death certificates starting from 2009.
Older records go through the state office in Jacksonville. This page covers where to look, what it costs, and how to get certified copies of these records.
Bradford County Vital Records Office
The Florida Department of Health in Bradford County manages death records and birth records for the entire county. The office sits in Starke, the county seat, and serves a population of about 28,000 residents. This small office often has shorter wait times than larger city health departments across Florida. Staff members process requests for death certificates and help families locate the paperwork they need for legal matters.
Starke Office Location and Contact
The Bradford County health department office sits on South Temple Avenue in Starke, right along the main road through town. The office is about 30 miles southwest of Jacksonville and roughly 25 miles northeast of Gainesville. You can reach the office by phone at (904) 964-7732 during business hours. Parking is free on site for anyone visiting to request records in person.
- Address: 1136 S. Temple Ave., Starke, FL 32091
- Phone: (904) 964-7732
- Website: bradford.floridahealth.gov
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Services and Office Hours
The Bradford County office handles death certificates, birth certificates, and other vital records for the entire county. Walk-in customers can request copies of death records on the same day in many cases, as long as the record is already on file. The office closes on state holidays and follows Florida Department of Health schedules throughout the year. Call ahead before visiting if you need a specific record checked.
How to Get Death Certificates
You can get a Bradford County death certificate in three ways: in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek. The process follows the same statewide rules used by all 67 Florida counties. Each method has different fees, processing times, and document needs. Pick the option that matches your timeline and location.
In-Person Request Steps
For in-person requests, go to 1136 S. Temple Ave. in Starke. Bring your photo ID and fill out form DH727. The Spanish version is DH727S. You need the full legal name of the person who died, their date of death, where they died, and their date of birth. A Social Security number helps the search but is not required. Most in-person requests finish within 3 to 5 business days, and some complete the same day.
- Visit the office at 1136 S. Temple Ave., Starke, FL 32091
- Show a valid photo ID to the clerk
- Complete form DH727 with full death details
- Pay the $5 search fee plus $4 for each extra copy
- Wait for the certificate to be printed or mailed
Mail-In Request Steps
Mail orders go to the same Starke address. Include the completed DH727 form, a photocopy of your ID, a check or money order for the correct amount, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Plan for 2 to 3 weeks total from the day you mail it until you get the certificate back. Processing at the Bradford County office takes 3 to 5 business days. Mail time on each end adds to the total wait.
Online Requests Through VitalChek
Online requests go through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. This is the only online vendor Florida has authorized for death certificates. VitalChek charges $15 for the first certificate and $7 for processing. Extra copies run $4 each. You pay by credit or debit card. Standard shipping takes 5 to 7 business days, and rush shipping is available for an extra fee.
Death Certificate Types in Florida
Two types of death certificates exist in Florida. The type you can get depends on who you are in relation to the person who died. Bradford County follows the same rules as all other Florida counties under state law. The differences matter for legal use, genealogy research, and insurance claims.
Public Death Records
The version without cause of death is a public record. Anyone 18 or older can request it. No proof of relationship is needed. It lists the deceased person’s name, date and place of death, and other basic details. The first five digits of the Social Security number are blacked out per Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. This version works for many purposes, from proving a death occurred to doing genealogy research in Bradford County.
Confidential Records with Cause of Death
The version with cause of death stays confidential for 50 years after the death. Only eligible people can get it. The list includes a surviving spouse, parent, adult child or grandchild, adult sibling, or someone who can show a legal interest in the estate. You may have to fill out DH Form 1959, the affidavit that proves your right to that data. A court order can also open the door to cause of death details when no family member is available.
Fees and Processing Times
Bradford County uses the state fee schedule for all death records. The search fee is $5 and includes one certified copy of the death certificate. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $4. You can pay by check, money order, or cash if you visit in person. Credit cards are accepted for online orders through VitalChek.
Standard Florida Fee Schedule
The standard fees cover most requests for death certificates in Bradford County. The $5 search fee applies even if no record is found, so check your facts before sending payment. Extra copies at $4 each are a good idea if you need the certificate for multiple legal matters like insurance claims, property transfers, and bank accounts.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search fee (includes one certified copy) | $5 |
| Each additional copy | $4 |
| Year-of-death unknown search (per year) | $2 |
| Maximum year-of-death search fee | $50 |
| Shipping per order (state office) | $1 |
Rush and Older Record Costs
Records older than 2009 must come from the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Rush processing on those older records carries a $10 rush fee on top of regular fees. VitalChek online orders cost $15 per certificate plus $7 processing. Extra copies are $4 each. This is the most expensive option but also the most convenient for Bradford County residents who live far from Starke.
Free Obituary Search Resources
Several free online tools help you search for obituaries across Florida. These resources work well for genealogy research, family history projects, and basic lookups. Some sites focus on Florida records, while others cover the entire country. Combine multiple sources to get the best results when tracking down a specific person.
Florida Memory Project Archive
The Florida Memory Project at floridamemory.com is a free resource for historical and genealogy research tied to Bradford County. The State Library and Archives runs the site, and it holds digitized records, old photographs, and historical documents. You can search by name, county, and date range. The archive covers Florida history back to the 1800s and includes many death notices from old newspapers.
Find a Grave and FamilySearch
Find a Grave at findagrave.com lists memorials and grave locations across Florida. You can search by name, cemetery, and birth or death date. FamilySearch at familysearch.org offers free access to Florida death records, church records, and census data. Both sites let you build a family tree and connect with other researchers. They cover Bradford County and the rest of Florida.
Legacy.com Florida Listings
Legacy.com at legacy.com hosts obituaries from Florida newspapers, including the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Orlando Sentinel, and Florida Times-Union. The site lets you search by name, location, and date. Basic searches are free, and you can view full obituary text without a paid account. Legacy.com pulls data from funeral homes and newspapers across the state, making it a strong starting point.
Local Funeral Home and Newspaper Records
Local funeral homes in Bradford County keep their own records. They often have obituary copies and death notices on hand. The Bradford County Telegraph, the local newspaper, runs obituaries that help when you know a name but need dates or other details. Some funeral homes post obituaries on their own websites, which makes them searchable from anywhere with an internet connection.
Bradford County Funeral Homes
Funeral homes in Starke and the surrounding area maintain archives of services they have handled. These records often include full obituaries, family details, and burial locations. Contact local funeral homes directly to ask about specific people. Many funeral homes in Bradford County have websites with searchable obituary databases going back several years.
Bradford County Telegraph Obituaries
The Bradford County Telegraph is the main local newspaper and runs obituaries for county residents. Current obituaries appear in the print edition and on the newspaper website. Older obituaries from past decades may exist on microfilm at the Bradford County Public Library. The library staff can help you access these records during regular business hours.
Historical Records for Genealogy
The Bradford County Department of Health keeps death records from 2009 forward. For older records, contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The state has death records dating back to 1877, which is well before Bradford County took its current name. The county was originally called New River County until 1861, and old records may use that earlier name.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics handles all death records older than 2009. The office sits at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. You can call (904) 359-6900 or email VitalStats@FLHealth.gov. The state has death records going back to 1877 for the entire state. Processing times run 2 to 4 weeks for mail requests, and rush service is available for an extra fee.
Bradford County Library Resources
The Bradford County Public Library in Starke has local newspaper archives and genealogy resources. Library staff can help you search through old issues of the Bradford County Telegraph and other local publications. The library also has access to Ancestry.com and other paid genealogy databases through its public computers. These resources are free to use during library hours.
Nearby County Vital Records Offices
Bradford County shares borders with several other Florida counties. Each nearby county has its own Department of Health vital records office. You may need records from a bordering county if a death happened near the county line or if a person lived in one county but died in another. The table below lists the main nearby offices and their locations.
| County | Seat | Main Office Location |
|---|---|---|
| Alachua County | Gainesville | 224 SE 24th St, Gainesville, FL 32641 |
| Baker County | Macclenny | 480 W Lowder St, Macclenny, FL 32063 |
| Clay County | Green Cove Springs | 1305 Idlewild Ave, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 |
| Columbia County | Lake City | 217 NE Franklin St, Lake City, FL 32055 |
| Union County | Lake Butler | 495 E Main St, Lake Butler, FL 32054 |
Contact Details for Bradford County Records
The main office for death records in Bradford County is the Florida Department of Health in Bradford County. Below are the official contact details for ordering death certificates, asking questions about records, or confirming office hours. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville handles older records that the local office cannot process.
Bradford County Health Department: 1136 S. Temple Ave., Starke, FL 32091. Phone: (904) 964-7732. Website: bradford.floridahealth.gov. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics: 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone: (904) 359-6900. Email: VitalStats@FLHealth.gov. You can also order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com for any Florida death record from 2009 forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
People searching for obituaries and death records in Bradford County often have similar questions. The answers below cover the most common search needs, from how to start a lookup to what the records cost. Each answer gives clear, direct steps so you can move forward with your search right away. Check the FAQ section before calling the office for faster service.
How do I search for obituaries in Bradford County Florida?
Start with the Bradford County Telegraph and local funeral home websites for current obituaries. Use the Florida Memory Project, Find a Grave, FamilySearch, and Legacy.com for older records. The Bradford County Public Library has microfilm archives and free access to Ancestry.com. For certified death certificates from 2009 forward, contact the Bradford County Department of Health in Starke. Older death records go through the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Combine multiple sources for the best results.
Are Florida death records public to everyone?
The version without cause of death is public for anyone 18 or older. No proof of relationship is needed. The version with cause of death stays confidential for 50 years after the death. Only a surviving spouse, parent, adult child, adult grandchild, adult sibling, or someone with a legal interest in the estate can request the cause of death. A court order can also grant access in some cases. These rules apply across all 67 Florida counties.
How much does a death certificate cost in Florida?
The search fee is $5, and it includes one certified copy of the death certificate. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $4. If the year of death is unknown, the state charges $2 for each year searched, with a cap of $50. Records older than 2009 cost an extra $10 for rush processing. VitalChek online orders cost $15 per certificate plus $7 processing. Shipping adds $1 per order for state mail requests.
Can I search Florida obituaries for free?
Yes, several free resources cover Florida obituaries. The Florida Memory Project, Find a Grave, FamilySearch, and Legacy.com all offer free obituary searches. The Bradford County Public Library offers free access to Ancestry.com and newspaper archives on microfilm. Funeral home websites often post full obituaries at no charge. These free sources cover most basic search needs, though certified copies still cost money.
How far back do Florida death records go?
Florida has statewide death records dating back to 1877. Local county offices, like the Bradford County Department of Health, only hold records from 2009 forward. Older records go through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The Bradford County Telegraph has obituaries going back many decades, and the Florida Memory Project has digitized historical records from the 1800s onward. Local funeral homes and churches may have even older records.
What is the difference between a death certificate and an obituary?
A death certificate is a legal document filed with the state. It lists the full name, date and place of death, and cause of death. An obituary is a notice published in a newspaper or online by the family or funeral home. Obituaries often include biographical details, family names, and funeral service details. Death certificates serve legal and official purposes. Obituaries serve as public tributes and genealogy sources.
How do I order a death certificate online in Florida?
Go to vitalchek.com, the only online vendor Florida has authorized for death certificates. Create an account or order as a guest. Enter the deceased person’s full name, date of death, and place of death. Pay $15 for the first certificate plus $7 processing. Add $4 for each extra copy. Standard shipping takes 5 to 7 business days, and rush shipping is available for an extra fee. The certificate arrives by mail.