Florida Estate Planning Lawyer Blog
Correcting a Death Certificate in Florida for a Change in Marital Status
We often receive calls about how to correct a Florida Death Certificate in relation to filing a Probate case in Florida. Correcting a Florida Death Certificate is done through Florida Vital Statistics which can be reached at:
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Bureau of Vital Statistics
PO Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231
(904) 359-6900, EXTENSION 9005
SURVIVING SPOUSE: With the exception to a misspelling or an omission, the department may not alter the surviving spouse item except on order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
To make this change you will need to hire a lawyer to file a petition and obtain a court order to make the changes. Below is some information on other types of changes that can be made to a Florida Death Certificate and how they can be made.
Generally the application for Amendment of the Florida Death Certificate needs to include the following:
- APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT TO FLORIDA DEATH RECORD (DH 524)
- AFFIDAVIT OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF DEATH (DH 433)
- DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE where required.
The AFFIDAVIT is sufficient for correcting some minor errors. Other corrections require documentary evidence in addition to the affidavit. Corrections requiring evidence are:
NAME OF DECEASED (other than misspelling)*
DATE OF BIRTH (changed more than 3 months)*
CITIZENSHIP FROM ALIEN TO UNITED STATES CITIZEN*
NAMES OF PARENT(S) (other than a misspelling or transposition of given names)
SURVIVING SPOUSE: With the exception to a misspelling or an omission, the department may not alter the surviving spouse item except on order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
To amend death certificate and change the:
CAUSE OF DEATH:
Submit on Affidavit of Amendment to Medical Certification of Death, DH Form 434 and signed by the attending physician or medical examiner. No amendment fee required.
Or
DATE OF DEATH AND/OR PLACE OF DEATH:
May be submitted on Affidavit of Amendment to Medical Certification of Death (DH Form 434) if no correction to personal identifying information also being requested. If submitted on this form signed by the attending physician or medical examiner, no amendment fee is required. If there are ALSO corrections to any personal identifying information in addition to these two items, you may include all the corrections on the Affidavit of Amendment to Death Record,DH Form 433 together with a statement from the attending physician or medical examiner supporting the correction as well as any other documentary evidence which may be required and the required amendment fee of $20.00.
If you need help changing a Florida Death Certificate contact the Law Office of David M. Goldman PLLC and ask for one of our Jacksonville Probate Lawyers.