Deerfield Beach City Florida Obituary Records help families trace loved ones who lived, died, or were buried in this coastal Broward County city. Death certificates and obituary notices hold key facts like the full name, date of death, age, and surviving family members.
These records serve legal, personal, and genealogy needs. This page covers every official source, cost, rule, and search method tied to Deerfield Beach death and obituary records as of September 2026.
What Deerfield Beach City Florida Obituary Records Include
Deerfield Beach City Florida Obituary Records combine two record types. One is the official death certificate. The other is the obituary notice printed in a local paper. Both serve different goals. Death certificates carry legal weight. Obituaries carry personal details.
Official Death Certificates
A death certificate is a state-issued legal document. It shows the full legal name of the person, date of birth, date of death, place of death, and cause of death on confidential copies. It also shows the burial or cremation site. The State of Florida keeps every death certificate filed since 1877. Local county offices hold copies of recent deaths.
Obituary Notices
An obituary is a short notice written by the family. It usually lists the person’s life events, work, hobbies, family members, and funeral details. Local Florida newspapers publish obituaries. Online sites like Legacy.com and newspapers.com also archive them. Obituaries often include names that death certificates do not.
Why These Records Matter
Death records help settle estates, file insurance claims, update family trees, and confirm genealogy links. Obituaries add personal color. Together they form a full record of a person’s passing. Both types are public in Florida under state law.
Where to Request Deerfield Beach Death Certificates
Deerfield Beach does not run its own vital records office. All death certificate requests go through the Broward County Department of Health. The state office in Jacksonville also handles older records.
Broward County Department of Health
The Broward County Department of Health Vital Records Office handles every Deerfield Beach death certificate filed since 2009. The office sits at 2421-A SW 6th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. The phone number is (954) 467-4455. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The drive from Deerfield Beach takes about 25 minutes south on I-95.
Florida State Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida State Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville keeps every Florida death certificate from 1877 forward. Mail older requests to 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The phone number is (904) 359-6900. This office handles records outside the county level and deaths that took place in other Florida counties.
| Source | Records Held | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Broward County DOH | 2009 to present | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| Florida State Bureau | 1877 to present | Jacksonville, FL |
| Florida Memory Project | Historical indexes | Tallahassee, FL |
How to Request a Deerfield Beach Death Certificate
Three methods exist for getting a death certificate tied to Deerfield Beach. You can visit in person, send a mail request, or place an online order. Each method has its own cost and timeline.
In-Person Requests
Visit the Broward County Department of Health office at 2421-A SW 6th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. Bring a valid photo ID. Know the full legal name and date of death. Staff print the certified copy while you wait. The first copy costs $15. Each extra copy of the same record costs $10.
Mail Requests
Download Form DH727 from the Florida Department of Health website at floridahealth.gov. Fill out the form. Include a copy of your photo ID. Mail the form with a check or money order to the Broward County DOH office. Mail requests take two to three weeks. The state bureau charges $5 for one search and one copy.
Online Requests Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the approved online vendor for Florida death certificates. Visit vitalchek.com or call 1-877-550-7330. The first copy costs $15 plus a $7 processing fee. Orders arrive in five to seven business days. This method skips the drive to Fort Lauderdale for Deerfield Beach residents.
- Gather the full legal name and date of death.
- Pick in-person, mail, or online method.
- Include valid photo ID with the request.
- Pay the correct fee by cash, check, money order, or card.
- Wait for delivery based on the chosen method.
Obituary Sources for Deerfield Beach Residents
Obituaries for Deerfield Beach residents appear in several newspapers and online platforms. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel covers the area most often. Other Florida papers also run death notices from this region.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel Archive
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel covers Deerfield Beach deaths through its print and online editions. Past issues sit in microfilm at the Broward County Library. The Percy White Branch in Deerfield Beach at 837 East Hillsboro Boulevard offers free access to newspaper databases with a library card.
Miami Herald Obituary Archive
The Miami Herald covers South Florida deaths including Broward County cities. The paper runs a daily obituary section. Online archives go back through the newspaper’s digital history. Search by name at miamiherald.com or through the Miami-Dade Public Library databases.
Palm Beach Post Obituaries
The Palm Beach Post covers cities near the Broward-Palm Beach border. Deerfield Beach sits close to this line. Some families have links to both counties. Past Palm Beach Post obituaries are searchable through the paper’s online archive and ProQuest databases.
Legacy.com and Online Memorials
Legacy.com hosts obituary notices from over 1,500 newspapers across the U.S. including Florida papers. Families post full obituary text on Legacy.com. The site lets users search by name, city, and date. Most Florida obituary searches through Legacy.com are free.
Tampa Bay Times and Orlando Sentinel
The Tampa Bay Times and Orlando Sentinel cover deaths from their regions. These papers rarely print Deerfield Beach obituaries directly. They remain useful for tracking family members who moved to other parts of Florida.
| Newspaper | Region Covered | Online Access |
|---|---|---|
| South Florida Sun-Sentinel | Broward County | sunsentinel.com |
| Miami Herald | Miami-Dade County | miamiherald.com |
| Palm Beach Post | Palm Beach County | palmbeachpost.com |
| Orlando Sentinel | Orange County | orlandosentinel.com |
| Tampa Bay Times | Hillsborough and Pinellas | tampabay.com |
Deerfield Beach Obituary Lookup by County
Florida offers county-level obituary lookup services. Each Florida county manages death records for deaths inside its borders. Deerfield Beach falls under Broward County for official death records.
Broward County Death Notices
The Broward County Clerk of Court maintains probate records that reference death dates. Visit browardclerk.org for probate filings. These records help confirm dates when death certificates are missing. The clerk’s office also links to vital records for recent deaths.
Miami-Dade County Records
Miami-Dade County handles death records for deaths inside its borders. The office sits in downtown Miami. Miami-Dade death certificates are useful when a Deerfield Beach resident died at a Miami-Dade hospital or care facility.
Palm Beach County Records
Palm Beach County sits next to Deerfield Beach. The Palm Beach County Health Department handles its own death records. Some Deerfield Beach families have ties to Palm Beach County. The office at 800 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 issues death certificates.
Costs and Processing Times for Death Records
Fees for Deerfield Beach death certificates vary by source and request method. Processing times also differ. Choose the option that matches your budget and timeline.
Death Certificate Fee Table
The table below shows current fees for each request method as of 2026. Prices reflect state and county rates. Vendor fees may apply for online orders.
| Request Type | First Copy | Extra Copies |
|---|---|---|
| Broward County DOH In-Person | $15 | $10 each |
| Broward County DOH Mail | $15 | $10 each |
| Florida State Bureau Mail | $5 | $4 each |
| Florida State Bureau Rush | $15 | $14 each |
| VitalChek Online | $22 ($15 + $7 fee) | $17 each |
Processing Time Comparison
In-person requests at the Broward County DOH print certificates the same day. Mail requests take two to three weeks. State bureau mail takes three to four weeks. VitalChek online orders arrive in five to seven business days. Rush service from the state bureau adds $10 for two-week delivery.
Free Obituary Search Options in Florida
Several free resources exist for searching Florida obituaries. These sites index millions of death notices from Florida newspapers and funeral homes.
Find a Grave Florida Memorials
Find a Grave hosts over 12 million memorials nationwide. Florida has hundreds of thousands of memorials posted by volunteers. Search by name at findagrave.com. The site shows birth year, death year, burial site, and photos of gravestones.
FamilySearch Florida Deaths
FamilySearch.org offers free genealogy records. The Florida deaths collection includes indexed death records from county and state sources. Create a free FamilySearch account. Search Florida deaths by name, year, and county.
Florida Memory Project
The Florida Memory Project from the State Archives of Florida hosts historical records. Search obituaries, military service cards, and pension files at floridamemory.com. The site covers early Florida deaths and historical genealogy material.
Newspaper Archive Free Trials
Newspapers.com and GenealogyBank offer free trial periods. Use these trials to search Florida obituary archives. Download key records before the trial ends. The Broward County Library offers free at-library access to Newspapers.com for cardholders.
Florida Funeral Home Obituaries
Local funeral homes post obituaries on their own websites. Deerfield Beach families often use funeral homes in nearby Pompano Beach, Boca Raton, and Fort Lauderdale. These posts include full obituary text and service details.
Kraeer Funeral Home Deerfield Beach
Kraeer Funeral Home serves Deerfield Beach families. The funeral home posts obituaries at kraeerfuneralhome.com. Visitors can search recent death notices by name. Service times and locations appear in each post.
Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Pompano Beach serves many Deerfield Beach families. The home posts obituaries at forestlawnnorth.com. Past notices remain online for several years.
Other Local Funeral Homes
Boca Raton funeral homes, Fort Lauderdale homes, and Deerfield Beach-area providers all post death notices online. Each home maintains its own obituary archive. Search the home’s website directly for the best results.
Florida State Library and Archives Resources
The Florida State Library and State Archives of Florida hold historical records. These include old vital record indexes, cemetery records, and death notices from Florida newspapers.
Florida State Library Collection
The Florida State Library in Tallahassee holds Florida newspaper microfilm. Researchers can view early Florida newspapers on-site. The library also hosts digital collections on its website. Visit lib.florida.edu for collection details.
State Archives of Florida
The State Archives of Florida stores permanent state records. The archives include military records, land records, and some death indexes. Visit floridamemory.com to search the archives’ digital collection.
Who Can Access Deerfield Beach Death Records
Florida law sets clear rules about who can request death certificates. The rules differ based on the type of certificate.
Public Death Certificates
The public version of a Florida death certificate shows the name, date of death, and place of death. It does not show the cause of death. Any person 18 or older can request a public death certificate for any Deerfield Beach death. No family tie is required under Florida Statutes Chapter 382.
Confidential Death Certificates
The confidential version shows the cause of death. Florida restricts this version for 50 years after the death. Only spouses, parents, adult children, and estate representatives can request it. Proof of relationship is required. A court order can also grant access.
Florida Public Records Law
Florida Statutes Chapter 119 gives the public broad access to government records. Death certificates fall under this law once the restriction period ends. The Broward County DOH must release public certificates to any adult who pays the fee.
Florida Obituary Records 1900s and Earlier
Florida kept death records from 1877 forward. Early records are sparse. The state created formal vital record keeping in 1899. Records before that year exist but lack full detail.
Florida Death Records 1877 to 1899
Deaths from 1877 to 1899 appear in county courthouse records and early newspaper notices. The Florida State Bureau holds indexes from this era. Researchers often need to combine state indexes with cemetery records and church records for full results.
Florida Death Records 1900 to 1930
Early 1900s Florida death records include more detail. The state began standardizing record keeping. Florida Memory Project holds indexes from this era. FamilySearch Florida deaths also covers this period.
Florida Death Records 1930 to 2009
Records from 1930 forward sit with the Florida State Bureau in Jacksonville. Mail requests to the state bureau at 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The fee is $5 for one search and one copy.
Florida Genealogy Research Tips
Florida genealogy research takes time and patience. Combine multiple sources for best results. Death records alone rarely tell a full story.
Start With Known Facts
Write down the full name, birth year, and death year before searching. Add the last known city of residence. These facts narrow search results fast. Without these basics, online searches return too many matches.
Search Multiple Florida Databases
Use FamilySearch, Ancestry, Find a Grave, and Florida Memory at the same time. Each site covers different records. One site may have a record the others do not. Cross-checking prevents dead ends.
Check Probate and Cemetery Records
Probate records often confirm death dates and family links. The Broward County Clerk of Court holds local probate filings. Cemetery records show burial sites and sometimes cause of death.
Contact Local Libraries
The Percy White Library in Deerfield Beach offers genealogy help. Library staff know local history resources. The Broward County Library System offers free access to genealogy databases for cardholders.
Legal and Grief Support in Deerfield Beach
Deerfield Beach families dealing with a death often need legal and grief help. Several local groups offer free or low-cost services.
Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida
Coast to Coast Legal Aid serves Broward County residents including Deerfield Beach. They handle estate, probate, and related matters at no cost for people who qualify. Call (954) 736-2400 to apply. The office helps with wills, probate filings, and beneficiary claims.
Legal Aid Service of Broward County
Legal Aid Service of Broward County serves low-income Deerfield Beach residents. Call (954) 765-8950 for help. The office assists with family law, housing, and public benefits linked to death and estate cases.
Broward County Bar Association Referral
The Broward County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call (954) 764-8040 to connect with a private attorney. Reduced-fee consultations are available for qualifying clients.
Grief Support and Helplines
Dial 211 to reach the Broward County helpline any time. The line connects callers with grief counseling and financial aid. Hospice by the Sea and VITAS Healthcare also serve Deerfield Beach families. The City of Deerfield Beach website at deerfield-beach.com lists community programs and senior services.
Official Office Contact and Location
The Broward County Department of Health Vital Records Office serves Deerfield Beach residents. The office holds every death certificate filed in Broward County from 2009 to the present.
Broward County Department of Health – Vital Records
2421-A SW 6th Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Phone: (954) 467-4455
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Website: broward.floridahealth.gov
The Florida State Bureau of Vital Statistics handles older death records and deaths outside Broward County. The office accepts mail requests for Florida death certificates back to 1877.
Florida State Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 N Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 359-6900
Website: floridahealth.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common search issues tied to Deerfield Beach City Florida Obituary Records. Each answer offers direct, step-by-step facts based on current Florida vital records rules. Use these answers to speed up your search and avoid common delays.
How Much Does a Deerfield Beach Death Certificate Cost?
A Deerfield Beach death certificate costs $15 for the first copy through the Broward County Department of Health. Extra copies of the same record cost $10 each. The Florida State Bureau charges $5 for one search and one copy, with $4 for each extra copy. VitalChek online orders add a $7 processing fee. Rush service from the state bureau adds $10 for faster delivery.
Can Anyone Get a Deerfield Beach Death Certificate?
Yes. Any person 18 or older can get the public version of a Deerfield Beach death certificate. The public version does not show the cause of death. The confidential version shows the cause of death and stays restricted for 50 years. Only spouses, parents, adult children, and estate representatives can request the confidential version under Florida Statutes Chapter 382.
Where Can I Search Free Florida Obituaries?
Free Florida obituary searches run through Find a Grave, FamilySearch, the Florida Memory Project, and Legacy.com. The Broward County Library offers free access to Newspapers.com for cardholders. Many funeral homes post free obituaries on their websites. Library microfilm collections also hold old Florida newspaper obituaries.
How Far Back Do Florida Death Records Go?
Florida death records go back to 1877. The Florida State Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds the full state file. Early records are sparse. Standard vital record keeping started in 1899. Records from 1900 forward include full name, date of death, and cause of death. The Florida Memory Project also has older indexes for historical research.
What Is the Difference Between a Death Certificate and an Obituary?
A death certificate is a state-issued legal document with the official facts of a death. An obituary is a family-written notice that appears in newspapers or online memorial sites. Death certificates show legal details. Obituaries show personal details like hobbies, work history, and surviving family. Both are public records in Florida. Florida law treats them as separate document types.
Can I Get a Deerfield Beach Death Record Online?
Yes. VitalChek is the approved online vendor for Florida death certificates. Visit vitalchek.com or call 1-877-550-7330. The first copy costs $15 plus a $7 processing fee. Orders arrive in five to seven business days. For online obituary searches, use Legacy.com, newspapers.com, or the South Florida Sun-Sentinel website at sunsentinel.com.
Do Deerfield Beach Obituaries Appear in the Sun-Sentinel?
Yes. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel covers Deerfield Beach as the main local paper. Past Sun-Sentinel obituaries sit in microfilm at the Broward County Library. The Percy White Branch in Deerfield Beach offers free database access with a library card. Recent obituaries appear on sunsentinel.com and Legacy.com.