10/05/2026
Waiting on a death certificate for a Florida probate matter? This update is worth knowing.
On October 1, the Florida Supreme Court approved an amendment to Probate Rule 5.205, effective January 1, 2027. The revised rule will require evidence of death allowed under section 731.103, rather than specifically requiring an official death record.
The Court explained that the change clarifies that a death certificate is not required to open a formal estate administration.
Proof of death is still required, and filing deadlines still apply. The attorney handling the estate will need to determine what evidence is appropriate.
For attorneys and investigators working with hard-to-obtain records, that distinction matters.
At Sleuth Search Partners, we help attorneys research deceased individuals, identify potential heirs, verify family relationships, and locate relatives. Our role is to gather and document the findings so the attorney has clear information to work with.
Have an estate with missing heirs or conflicting family information? Reach out to discuss how we can help.
Source: Florida Supreme Court, SC2026-0039, October 1, 2026.
Effective January 1, 2027.