Wrong Information on a Death Certificate
Do not assume that the death certificate has been properly and accurately completed. Important data is not infrequently incorrect. Read the death certificate slowly and thoroughly as soon as it is available – approximately 10 days or less from the date of death. Note that there is a common misconception that a death certificate is automatically recorded when the state issues it, but that is not the case.
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What Are the Types of Death Certificates in Florida?
In Florida, there are 2 kinds of death certificates: The “short” form or “non-medical” form does not show the cause of death. The “long” form discloses the cause(s) of death. The short form is preferable in the state of Florida although it is possible to use a long-form Florida death certificate. The cause of death will be masked prior to its recording.
Out-of-state death certificates are eligible for recordation with or without the cause of death being shown.
What Are Common Death Certificate Mistakes?
Wrong Address
It is not uncommon for the death certificate to incorrectly show the decedent’s domicile. The decedent may have died in a nursing home in Georgia, but that does not mean that the decedent was a Georgia resident.
If at the time of death the decedent had their Florida homestead titled in the decedent’s name, then there is every likelihood that the decedent was still a Florida resident at the time of death. This can be critical for homestead determination in the probate context.
If the decedent died owning real estate in Florida, the death certificate must be recorded in every county in which the decedent owned real property. Further, a Form 94 (Affidavit of No Estate Tax Due) must be filed in conjunction with the death certificate to prove that no estate taxes are due.
Wrong Social Security Number
Another common error on the death certificate is an incorrect social security number – that can create all sorts of havoc throughout the probate process – insurance claims, Veteran’s Benefits, etc. – and it should be corrected at the outset and before it is filed for public record.
Other Death Certificate Issues
Additional common death certificate mistakes that should be corrected before starting the probate process include:
- Misspelled name
- Wrong date of birth
- Wrong citizenship status
- Incorrect medical information, such as the cause and date of death
- Wrong or misspelled name of parent(s)
- Wrong or misspelled spouse's name
How to Fix a Death Certificate Error
Generally, the person requesting the amendment to the death certificate must provide the following forms:
- DH 524 - Application for Amendment to Florida Death Record
- DH 433 - Application of Amendment to Certificate of Death
Depending on the error, the requesting party may also need to provide documentary evidence or a signature by a medical examiner.
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