Hendry County Florida obituary records cover death notices, memorial notices, and death certificates filed in LaBelle and across Hendry County since 2009. People search these records for many reasons. Some need proof of death for legal matters. Others want to trace family history. Many simply want to read the obituary of a loved one. This page explains how to search, request, and view obituary records in Hendry County using state offices, county resources, funeral homes, and free online databases.
What Hendry County Obituary Records Contain
Obituary records in Hendry County include the full name of the person who died, the date of death, the place of death, and the funeral home that handled the burial. Many obituaries also list surviving family members, where the person was born, where they worked, and where they lived. Death certificates carry similar facts but also include official registration numbers and signatures from doctors or medical examiners.
Two Types of Death Certificates in Florida
Florida issues two versions of a death certificate. The first version has no cause of death. Anyone 18 or older can request this copy. No family tie is required. The second version includes the cause of death. This version stays sealed for 50 years after the date of death. Only close family members, legal heirs, or people with a court order can get this copy.
Who Can Access Each Type
The version without cause of death works well for genealogy, property claims, and basic research. The version with cause of death serves insurance claims, estate settlements, and legal cases. Both types cost the same fee. The difference is the proof you must show when you apply.
Legal Basis for Access
Florida’s public records law, called the Sunshine Law, gives broad access to government records. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes sets this rule. Section 119.071 protects some private facts, like the last five digits of a Social Security number. Chapter 382 covers vital records rules across the state. Section 382.008 lists the rules for filing deaths. Section 382.016 allows county offices to issue certified copies.
Where to Search Hendry County Obituary Records
You have several places to search for Hendry County obituary records. The right source depends on when the person died. For deaths after 2009, the county health department holds the records. For older deaths, the state office in Jacksonville keeps the files. Online databases also help with older notices and family history work.
Florida Department of Health in Hendry County
The Florida Department of Health office in Hendry County serves as the main source for local death records. The office sits at 1140 Pratt Blvd in LaBelle, FL 33935. You can reach the staff by phone at (863) 674-4041 during business hours. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This office holds all death records filed in Hendry County from 2009 forward.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Office | Florida Department of Health in Hendry County |
| Street Address | 1140 Pratt Blvd, LaBelle, FL 33935 |
| Phone | (863) 674-4041 |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Records Available | Deaths filed from 2009 to present |
| First Copy Fee | $5 |
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics holds every death record in the state from 1877 onward. This includes deaths that took place in Hendry County before the local office started keeping records in 2009. The state office sits at 1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. You can call the office at (904) 359-6900. The state office can search by name and approximate year if you do not know the exact date of death.
Local Funeral Homes in LaBelle and Clewiston
Funeral homes keep their own records for every service they handle. Akin-Davis Funeral Home in LaBelle and Clewiston Funeral Home in Clewiston are two main providers in the county. These homes often have copies of the obituaries they wrote. They can help you find the right details before you request an official death certificate. Staff at the funeral home can also guide you on what the family chose for the memorial.
Local Newspapers and Libraries
The Caloosa Belle is the main newspaper that runs obituaries from Hendry County. The newspaper office sits in LaBelle and has archives going back many years. The Hendry County Library system holds printed copies of past newspapers. You can visit the library in LaBelle to look through old issues. Some issues are also on microfilm at the state library.
How to Request a Death Certificate in Hendry County
You can request a death certificate from the Hendry County health department in three ways. You can walk into the office, send a letter by mail, or order online through VitalChek. Each method has its own cost and timeline.
Walking Into the LaBelle Office
Visiting the office in person is the fastest way to get a copy. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver’s license or passport. Fill out form DH727 at the counter. Staff can help you if you have questions. The form asks for the full name of the person who died, their date of birth, and their date of death. The first copy costs $5, and extra copies cost $4 each. You can walk out with the certificate the same day in most cases.
Mailing Your Request
Mail requests take more time but work well if you live far from LaBelle. Print and fill out form DH727. Make a copy of your photo ID. Include a check or money order for the fee. Mail these items to the Florida Department of Health office at the Pratt Blvd address. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so they can send the certificate back to you. Mail orders usually take 2 to 3 weeks.
Ordering Online Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the only online vendor that Florida approves for vital records. You visit their website, select Florida, and choose death certificate. The fee is $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies cost $4 each. You pay by credit or debit card. Standard shipping takes 5 to 7 business days. Rush shipping is available at a higher cost.
What You Need to Provide
All three request methods require basic facts. The state needs the full legal name of the person who died. They also need the date of death or the year of death. The place of death helps the search. A date of birth and Social Security number speed up the search but are not required. For the version with cause of death, you must also fill out DH Form 1959. This form proves your right to the sealed facts.
Fees, Timelines, and Rush Options
The cost and speed of your request depends on the method you choose and the office that handles it. County office fees are lower than state office fees. Rush service costs more at both levels.
Standard Fees at the County Office
The Hendry County health department charges $5 for the first death certificate copy and $4 for each extra copy. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or card. Mail orders must be paid by check or money order made out to the Florida Department of Health.
Standard Fees at the State Office
The state Bureau of Vital Statistics also charges $5 for the first copy. If you do not know the year of death, the state charges $2 for each year they search. The search fee stops at $50, which covers 25 years of search work. Rush fees at the state level add $10 per order. Shipping costs $1 per order.
Rush Processing Options
Rush options at the county office depend on staff workload. In-person rush requests often get same-day service if no complications exist. Mail rush requests do not exist because mail already takes weeks. Online rush through VitalChek speeds shipping but not the search itself.
Free Search Alternatives
You do not always need to pay for a death certificate to find obituary facts. Newspaper archives, funeral home websites, and genealogy databases often have the obituary text itself. These sources show names, dates, family members, and service details. They do not count as legal proof of death. For legal proof, you still need a certified copy from the state or county.
Historical Records and Genealogy Research
Records before 2009 require a different search path. The state office, the Florida Memory Project, and online genealogy sites hold older obituaries and death records from Hendry County. These tools help people trace family lines and learn about past residents.
Florida Memory Project from the State Library
The Florida Memory Project is a free online archive run by the State Library and Archives of Florida. It holds photos, newspapers, and documents from all over Florida. You can search the collection by name, place, or date. Some records go back to the 1800s. The site lets you view scanned newspaper pages with old obituaries from small towns, including Hendry County.
Find a Grave and FamilySearch
Find a Grave and FamilySearch are two free genealogy websites. Find a Grave has millions of grave records from cemeteries across Florida. Users add photos of headstones and obituaries. FamilySearch holds birth, marriage, and death records from many countries, including Florida. Both sites let you search by name and date.
Ancestry.com for Florida Records
Ancestry.com is a paid service with large collections of Florida newspapers and death records. The Tampa Bay Times, Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel, and other major Florida papers have obituary archives on this site. Ancestry also holds Florida state death index records. These indexes list the name, year, and county of death for millions of people.
Major Florida Newspaper Archives
Major Florida newspapers publish obituaries daily. The Tampa Bay Times covers the Tampa Bay area. The Miami Herald covers South Florida. The Orlando Sentinel covers Central Florida. The Florida Times-Union covers Jacksonville. The Sun-Sentinel covers Broward and Palm Beach. Each paper has an online obituary section. You can search by name and date. Older issues are sometimes free, while newer issues may require a subscription.
Florida Obituary Records by County
Hendry County borders several larger counties. If your search crosses county lines, each county has its own health department office. The same rules apply, but the fees, hours, and phone numbers differ. This section lists the main nearby counties that people search from Hendry County.
Miami-Dade County Obituaries
Miami-Dade County holds death records through the Miami-Dade County Health Department. The county also has a large collection of obituaries in the Miami Herald. Many funeral homes in Miami-Dade post full obituaries on their websites.
Broward County Obituaries
Broward County death records go through the Florida Department of Health in Broward County. The Sun-Sentinel newspaper covers most Broward obituaries. Funeral homes in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood maintain online obituary lists.
Hillsborough County Obituaries
Hillsborough County death records are kept by the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. The Tampa Bay Times prints obituaries for the Tampa area. Many older records are on microfilm at the Hillsborough County Public Library.
Orange County Obituaries
Orange County death records are filed with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County. The Orlando Sentinel covers Orange County obituaries. The Orange County Clerk of Court also holds some probate records that mention deaths.
Duval County Obituaries
Duval County death records are filed with the Florida Department of Health in Duval County. The Florida Times-Union prints Jacksonville area obituaries. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics is also located in Jacksonville within Duval County.
Pinellas County Obituaries
Pinellas County death records go through the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County. The Tampa Bay Times also covers Pinellas news. Local funeral homes in St. Petersburg and Clearwater post obituaries online.
Palm Beach County Obituaries
Palm Beach County death records are filed with the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach Post prints obituaries for the area. Funeral homes in West Palm Beach and Boca Raton post obituaries on their websites.
Lee County Obituaries
Lee County borders Hendry County to the west. Death records in Lee County go through the Florida Department of Health in Lee County. The Fort Myers News-Press covers Lee County obituaries. Lee County also holds many records for nearby Hendry County residents who died in Lee hospitals.
Free Florida Obituary Search Tools
You can search Florida obituaries for free using several online tools. Some tools cover the whole state. Others focus on specific counties or newspapers. This section lists the best free sources.
Statewide Free Search Sites
The Florida Memory Project is the largest free archive of Florida newspapers and records. Find a Grave is the largest free cemetery database. FamilySearch is a free genealogy database with Florida records. Legacy.com aggregates obituaries from newspapers across the state. Each site works differently, so trying more than one can help you find the obituary you need.
County and City Free Sites
Many Florida county libraries have free obituary indexes on their websites. The Henderson Library in Hendry County holds local newspaper archives. Larger counties like Miami-Dade and Hillsborough have rich digital collections. Some funeral homes post obituaries for free on their own sites.
Newspaper Subscription Sites
Major Florida newspapers offer free obituary searches with limits. The Tampa Bay Times, Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel, and Sun-Sentinel let you search for free. Full obituary text may require a subscription. Free trials are sometimes available.
How to Search Obituaries by Name in Florida
Searching by name is the most common way to find obituaries. The search works best when you know the full name and an approximate date. Here are the steps to follow for a name search in Florida.
Step 1: Gather the Facts
Write down the full name of the person. Add the date of death if you know it. Add the city or county where they lived. The more facts you have, the faster the search will be.
Step 2: Pick the Right Database
For recent deaths, try the local newspaper or funeral home website. For older deaths, try FamilySearch, Find a Grave, or Ancestry. For state records, use the Florida Memory Project.
Step 3: Search and Read the Results
Type the full name into the search box. Add a date range if the site allows it. Read each result carefully. Look for matching ages, family names, and places.
Step 4: Get a Certified Copy if Needed
A found obituary does not replace a legal death certificate. If you need proof of death for legal matters, order a certified copy from the state or county office.
Local Resources and Contact Details
Below are the main local resources for Hendry County obituary and death record searches. Save these contacts for future use.
Florida Department of Health in Hendry County
1140 Pratt Blvd, LaBelle, FL 33935
Phone: (863) 674-4041
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Website: hendry.floridahealth.gov
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 359-6900
Website: floridahealth.gov
Hendry County Clerk of Court
25 E Hickpochee Ave, LaBelle, FL 33935
Phone: (863) 675-5217
Website: hendryfla.net
Frequently Asked Questions About Hendry County Obituary Records
People often ask similar questions when searching for obituary records in Hendry County. The answers below cover the most common points. Each answer gives clear facts based on Florida law and county rules.
How Far Back Do Hendry County Death Records Go?
The Hendry County health department only keeps death records from 2009 forward. For any death before 2009, you must contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. That office holds every Florida death record going back to 1877. You can order older records by mail or through VitalChek. The state charges $5 for the first copy plus possible search fees if you do not know the exact year of death.
Can I Search Obituaries for Free in Hendry County?
Yes, free obituary searches are possible through several sites. The Florida Memory Project lets you view old newspaper pages at no cost. Find a Grave and FamilySearch are also free. Local funeral homes often post obituaries for free on their websites. The main newspaper, the Caloosa Belle, also runs obituaries in its online edition. Free obituary searches do not give you a legal death certificate.
Who Can Get a Death Certificate With Cause of Death?
Only close family members and people with a legal right can get the cause of death version. This list includes the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, adult siblings, and beneficiaries named in the will or insurance policy. A court order can also grant access. You must fill out DH Form 1959 to prove your right. The cause of death stays sealed for 50 years after the death.
How Much Does a Death Certificate Cost in Hendry County?
A certified death certificate costs $5 for the first copy at the Hendry County health department. Extra copies of the same record cost $4 each. Online orders through VitalChek cost $15 plus a $7 processing fee for the first copy. The state office in Jacksonville also charges $5 per copy. Older record searches at the state level can add $2 per year, up to $50.
What If I Do Not Know the Date of Death?
The state Bureau of Vital Statistics can search by name even if you do not know the year of death. They charge $2 for each year searched, up to a maximum of $50 for 25 years. FamilySearch and Find a Grave also let you search by name with no date. You may need to sort through several results to find the right person.
Are Funeral Home Obituaries the Same as Death Certificates?
No, funeral home obituaries are not legal proof of death. They are short notices written by the funeral home. They often include a photo, the date of death, and details about the service. Death certificates are official government records. They are signed by doctors and filed with the state. You need a death certificate for legal matters like insurance claims, property transfers, and estate work.
Can I Get an Obituary From a Newspaper That No Longer Exists?
Yes, old newspaper obituaries are often kept by libraries and archives. The Florida Memory Project has scanned many old Florida newspapers. The State Library of Florida also holds microfilm copies. Local libraries in LaBelle may have printed back issues of the Caloosa Belle. You can visit the library in person or contact them by phone for help with older issues.