Minnesota Death Records

We are glad you came to this page. We aim to help you find Minnesota Death Records. This guide has key facts for you.

If you want to start your search for Minnesota Death Records now, you can visit https://minnesotaofficialrecords.com/death-records/. This site may offer a way to begin. It can help you look for the records you need. Use it as a first step. Many use such tools for fast look ups. It can save you some time in your quest.

Understanding Minnesota Death Records

What Are Minnesota Death Records?

Minnesota Death Records are key papers. They show that a per son has died. These are made by the state. They have facts about the death. Think of them as the last word on a life. Each one is a sad but true mark.

What info is in them? You will find the dead per son’s full name. The date of death is key. The place of death is too. Most will tell the cause of death. Age and birth date are on it. Names of the mom and dad may be there. If wed, the spouse’s name is on it. This all helps track who the per son was. It helps show when and where they died. These facts are used in many ways.

Why People Need Minnesota Death Records

Folks seek Minnesota Death Records for good cause. Some trace their fam i ly tree. These files link kin. They show roots from the past. This is a big use.

For law needs, they are a must. To close an es tate, you need proof. To get life cash, show the death. For state help, you may need one. These files help solve these tasks. To move land or house rights, you need them. The law is clear on this. So, many get them for these true needs. It is a main step in such work.

Who Can Get Minnesota Death Records?

Public vs. Private Data

Not all parts of Minnesota Death Records are for all eyes. Some facts are pub lic. This means most can see them. An in dex of deaths is one. It has just main facts. Name, date, and place of death are common.

But a full, stamped cop y is not for all. These are called cer ti fied cop ies. They have more pri vate facts. The state has rules for who gets these. You must have a "tan gi ble in ter est." This means you have a real tie to the dead per son. Or you have a law need. Minnesota Statutes, section 144.225 sets these rules. This law aims to keep pri vate facts safe. It lets those with a true need get the files.

Who Has Tangible Interest?

Who has this real tie or law need?

• The per son on the rec ord (if it were a birth rec ord).

• A child of the dead per son.

• The spouse of the dead per son.

• A par ent of the dead per son.

• A grand par ent or grand child of the dead per son.

• A sib ling of the dead per son.

• A law per son for the es tate.

• A per son named in a court case.

• A per son who needs it to guard their rights.

You must show who you are. You must state your tie to the dead per son. This helps the state know you have a right to the file. These rules help keep things fair and safe.

How to Get Minnesota Death Records

There are a few main ways to get Minnesota Death Records. You can go to the state. Or you can try the coun ty. The age of the rec ord matters too.

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) - Office of Vital Records

The MDH keeps Minnesota Death Records from Jan u ar y 1908 to now. They do not have an of fice you can walk in to for these. You must ask by mail or some times by fax.

To Request by Mail: You need to fill out a form. This is the Death Cer tif i cate Ap pli ca tion. You can find it on the MDH web site. Your name on the form must be signed with a no ta ry pub lic if you want a cer ti fied cop y. This means a no ta ry must watch you sign. Send the form with the right fee. Mail to: Minnesota Department of Health Central Cashiering – Vital Records P.O. Box 64499 St. Paul, MN 55164-0499

If you use a fast mail like FedEx or UPS, send to: 625 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN 55155 Note: There is no front desk help at this spot.

To Request by Fax: Check the MDH web site first. Some types of asks may use fax. Fax: 866-416-1357

MDH Contact Information:

• Phone: 651-201-5970. The help line is closed from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM each work day for lunch.

• Email: health.vitalrecords@state.mn.us

• Hours: Of fice hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Mon day to Fri day. They are closed on state off days. It takes time for MDH to work on your ask. Be sure to fill out forms with all facts asked. This will help speed things up. If facts are missed, it can take more time.

County Vital Records Offices

You can also get Minnesota Death Records from coun ty of fic es. This may be quick er for some. Es pe cial ly if you can go in per son.

What Records Counties Have:

• For deaths from 1997 to now: Any MN coun ty vi tal rec ords of fice can give you a cer tif i cate. This is true no mat ter where in MN the per son died.

• For deaths from Jan u ar y 1908 to 1996: You must ask the coun ty where the death took place. Or you can ask the MDH.

• For deaths be fore 1908: You must ask the coun ty where the death took place. The state did not keep these old files.

How to Request from a County: Most coun ty of fic es let you ask in per son. Some also take mail asks. It is best to check with the spe cif ic coun ty. Each one may have its own ways. You will need to fill out a form. You must show ID. You must pay a fee.

Finding a County Office: The MDH has a list of all coun ty of fic es. You can find it here: Directory of County Offices - MN Dept. of Health. This list has names, towns, and phone num bers.

Example County Offices:

• Ramsey County Vital Records:

  • Address: 90 Plato Blvd. W, Saint Paul, MN 55107

  • Phone: 651-266-1333

  • They state that they have records for all Minnesota counties from 1997 to present, and Ramsey County records from approximately 1870 to present. You can request by mail or in person.

• Rice County Recorder's Office:

  • Address: Rice County Government Services Building, 320 Third St. NW, Faribault, MN 55021

  • Phone: 507-332-6114

  • Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

  • They note that for deaths 1997 and after, you can purchase from any Minnesota county office. For deaths 1908-1997, make your request to the county where the death occurred or the state office. For deaths before 1908, request from the county where the death occurred.

Minnesota Historical Society (MHS)

The MHS is a great place for old Minnesota Death Records. This is good for folks who trace fam i ly trees. They have some death files from be fore 1908. They also have a death in dex for 1908-2017. This in dex can help you find key facts. MHS gives out non-cer ti fied cop ies. These are for re search, not for law use.

How to Access MHS Records: You can search some of their lists on line. Their "Peo ple Find er" tool is one way. You can also go to the Gale Fam i ly Li bra ry. There you can do re search in per son.

MHS Contact Information:

• Address: Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102

• Phone: 651-259-3000 The MHS has staff who can help you. They know a lot about old MN files. Their web site has more on what they hold. Check it be fore you go or ask.

Information Needed for Your Search

To find a Minnesota Death Record, you need some facts. The more you know, the bet ter.

• Full name of the dead per son: This is key. Spell it right.

• Date of death: If you know the full date, that is best. If not, a year or month helps.

• City or coun ty of death: This helps find the right place to look. Es pe cial ly for old files.

• Your link to the dead per son: You need this for a stamped cop y.

• Your full name, home spot, and phone num ber.

Cost of Minnesota Death Records

There are fees to get Minnesota Death Records. These fees help pay for the work.

• A cer ti fied cop y (the of fi cial one) costs $13 for the first one.

• If you buy more cop ies of the same rec ord at the same time, each new one is $6.

• A non-cer ti fied cop y or a print out may also cost $13. The MHS may charge less for their non-cer ti fied cop ies, often around $8.

Fees do not get paid back. This is true e ven if no rec ord is found. This is by Minnesota Statutes, section 144.226. You can pay by check or cash or der. Some coun ty spots now take cards. Ask the of fice you use what they take.

Types of Minnesota Death Records

You can get dif fer ent kinds of Minnesota Death Records.

Certified Death Certificate

This is the of fi cial kind. It has a raised seal on it. It is from the state or coun ty. It is used for law needs. Such as bank things, state help, or land sales. You must show you have a "tan gi ble in ter est" to get this.

Non-certified Death Certificate / Informational Copy

This is also known as a tran script. It has the same facts as the cer ti fied one. But it does not have the raised seal. It is not for law use. It is good for fam i ly tree work. Or for your own files. Most folks can get this kind. The MDH or coun ty can is sue these. The MHS also gives out non-cer ti fied cop ies of old files.

Death Index

A death in dex is a list. It shows names of dead folks. It has the date of death. It shows the coun ty where they died. Some times it has the state file num ber. The MDH has an on line search for deaths from 1997 on. The MHS has an old er death in dex. These lists help you find out if a rec ord is there. And they give key facts to help you ask for the full rec ord.

Record Availability and Timeframes

When can you get Minnesota Death Records? State files for deaths start in Jan u ar y 1908. That is when MN made state wide fil ing a rule. Some coun ties have death files from be fore 1908. These are from when towns or coun ties kept their own lists. For these old ones, you must check with the coun ty where the death took place.

For deaths from 1997 to now, the MDH has a tool on their web site. It is called "Ver i fy a Death." You can use this to search for free. It will tell you if a rec ord is in the state sys tem. This can be a good first step. It shows if they have a match for the name and date you put in.

Minnesota Laws on Death Records

Laws in MN say how Minnesota Death Records are kept. They also say who can get them. The main law is Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 144. Look at parts from 144.211 to 144.227. These parts deal with vi tal rec ords.

Minnesota Statutes, section 144.225 is very key. It talks all about who can see and get vi tal rec ords. It sets what is pub lic data. And it names what is pri vate or non-pub lic. It lays out the "tan gi ble in ter est" rule. This law helps guard folks' pri va cy. But it lets those with a true need get the files. It is good to know these laws. They help you see why the rules are as they are.

Application Forms for Minnesota Death Records

You need to use a form to ask for most Minnesota Death Records. The MDH has forms on its web site. Most coun ty of fic es also have forms. You can oft en down load them as a PDF file.

For ex am ple, some coun ties like Itas ca Coun ty put their Death Certificate Application form (PDF) on line. Check the MDH site or your coun ty's site for the right form.

Read the form with care. Fill it out all the way. If you mail in a form for a cer ti fied cop y, you will like ly need a no ta ry. A no ta ry pub lic must watch you sign it. They then put their own stamp and sign on it. This proves it was real ly you who signed. Some forms may not need this if you ask in per son and show ID. Al ways check the rules on the form or the web site of the of fice you use.

Helpful Resources

Minnesota Divorce Records | Minnesota Inmate Search | Minnesota Marriage Records