How Many Death Certificates?

We will assist you in ordering as many certified copies of the death certificate as you determine are necessary.  Please keep in mind that these certified copies carry a fee set by each County. Some local County's fees are as follows: 

•  Lee County             $10.00 /ea. 

Many of the places requiring a death certificate my need a certified copy rather than a photocopy.  Certified copies are printed on a special safety paper with a raised seal that are available only through the Office of Vital Statistics. The following is a partial listing of places where a death certificate MAY be required: 

• Insurance Companies (usually require copy with cause of death)
  
• Banks and other Financial Institutions
  
• Brokerages
  
• Pension Funds
  
• Credit Card Companies
  
• Social Security Administration
  
• Veterans Administration
  
• Internal Revenue
  
• Clerk of Court in each county where the decedent owned real estate (a copy without cause of death is required) 

This is not a complete list. Additional certified copies could be required and certified copies may not be needed in every listed case. Please consult your financial / legal advisor for further assistance in determining the quantity required for your specific circumstances.

SPECIAL NOTE (Long Form vs. Short Form): 

• Florida issues two types of certificates:  Long form will show the cause of death. Short form will not.   Short form will be required for the Clerk of Court and certain other state agencies in Florida. 
• In Florida, Cause of Death is considered confidential by law. Only certain persons are allowed to obtain copies containing the Cause of Death. 
• Long Form is usually only needed for insurance purposes.