Ramsey County Death Records

Thank you for visiting. We want to help you find Ramsey County Death Records. Our goal is to give you the details you need. We aim to make your search as easy as can be. This guide covers how and where to get these key records.

If you need Ramsey County Death Records now, you can start your search right away. Visit https://minnesotaofficialrecords.com/ramsey-county-death-records/ to access resources and potentially begin the process online. This site may help direct you to the right forms and information quickly. Check it out if you want fast access to begin searching for the death records you require in Ramsey County.

How to Request Ramsey County Death Records

You have options when you need to get a death record. You can ask the county or the state. Each has its own way to help you. You must know where to go and what to do.

Where to Apply

You can request death records from two main places. The first is the Ramsey County Vital Records office. They handle records for deaths that happened in Ramsey County. They also have recent records for the whole state. The second place is the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The MDH Office of Vital Records holds state death records from 1908. But MDH does not help people in person. You must use mail or fax to ask MDH for records. Choose the office that fits your needs best.

Types of Records Available at Ramsey County Office

The Ramsey County Vital Records office can give you certain records. They have death records for Ramsey County going back to about 1870. This is a long time ago. They also have records for deaths in any Minnesota county from 1997 to the present day. This makes it easy to get recent records from all over the state at one local spot. You can get certified copies if you are eligible. You can also get noncertified copies for research.

Applying In Person (Ramsey County Office)

Going in person is a fast way to get records. The Ramsey County Vital Records office helps people who come to their window.

• Location: The office is in the Plato Building. The address is 90 Plato Blvd W, Saint Paul, MN 55107.

• Hours: They are open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You should try to arrive by 4:00 p.m. This gives them time to help you before they close.

• Required Steps: First, fill out the right form. You need either the Certified or Noncertified death record application. You can print it ahead of time or get one there. Show your valid ID, like a driver's license. Sign the form at the window so they can see you sign it. Then, pay the fee.

• Accepted Payment: You can pay with cash. Checks or money orders made out to Ramsey County are also fine. They now accept credit and debit cards too.

Applying by Mail (Ramsey County or MDH)

You can ask for records by mail. This works for both Ramsey County and the state (MDH).

• Application Forms: You need the correct form. Get the Ramsey County form here: https://www.ramseycounty.us/sites/default/files/Licenses%2C%20Permits%20and%20Records/death_certified_May%202023.pdf. Get the MDH form here: https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/docs/dcappia.pdf. Use the form for the office you are sending it to.

• Notarization: You must sign the form in front of a notary public. The notary must stamp or seal it. This proves it was really you who signed.

• Payment: Include a check or money order for the fee. Make it payable to "Ramsey County" if sending there. Make it payable to "Minnesota Department of Health" if sending to the state. Do not send cash in the mail.

• Mailing Addresses:

  • For Ramsey County: Attention: Vital Records (Death), 90 Plato Blvd. W, Saint Paul, MN 55107

  • For MDH: Minnesota Department of Health, Central Cashiering – Vital Records, P.O. Box 64499, St Paul, MN 55164-0499

Applying by Fax (MDH Only)

The Minnesota Department of Health lets you apply by fax. Ramsey County does not offer this option.

• Application Form: Use the MDH death certificate application form: https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/docs/dcappia.pdf.

• Notarization: Just like mail requests, you must sign the form before a notary public. The notary seal must be clear on the fax.

• Payment: Fax requests must use a credit card. Fill out the credit card part of the application form. They accept MasterCard, VISA, and Discover.

• Fax Number: Send the notarized form to the MDH fax number: 866-416-1357.

Eligibility and Required Information

Not just anyone can get any death record. Laws protect private data. You need to show you have a right to the record. You also need to give enough details to find it. Knowing these rules helps make the process smooth. You must provide the right facts about the dead person. You also need facts about you, the asker.

Who Can Get a Certified Copy (Tangible Interest)

Certified death records have legal power. They are used for things like closing bank accounts or claiming benefits. Because of this, only people with a "tangible interest" can get them. Minnesota law defines who has this interest.

• Legal Basis: The rules are in Minnesota Statute 144.225, subdivision 7. You can read the law here: https://codes.findlaw.com/mn/health-ch-144-159/mn-st-sect-144-225/.

• Eligible Parties: You usually qualify if you are:

  • The spouse shown on the record.

  • A parent of the person who died.

  • A child of the person who died.

  • A grandchild of the person who died.

  • A grandparent of the person who died.

  • A sibling (brother or sister) of the person who died.

  • The personal representative of the estate.

  • A successor of the decedent (if needed for the estate).

  • A trustee of a trust (if needed for the trust).

  • Someone who needs it to protect a personal or property right (you must show proof).

  • An attorney representing an eligible person.

  • Someone with a U.S. court order for the record.

  • A government agency.

  • Someone with a signed note from an eligible person allowing you to get it.

  • A representative from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

If you do not have a tangible interest, you can only get a noncertified copy. Noncertified copies are for things like family history research. They cannot be used for legal tasks.

Information Needed for the Request

To find the correct death record, you must provide key details. The application form asks for this information. Be as complete as you can.

• Details about the Deceased Person:

  • Full name (first, middle, last) - Required

  • Date of death (month, day, year) - Required

  • County where the death occurred - Required

  • City where the death occurred

  • Date of birth or age at death

  • Names of the person's parents

  • Name of the spouse on the record (if any)

• Details about the Person Requesting:

  • Your full name

  • Your mailing address

  • Your phone number

  • Your email address (optional but helpful)

  • Your date of birth

  • Your relationship to the person named on the record (you must check a box showing how you qualify).

Proving Identity

You must prove who you are when you ask for a record. How you do this depends on how you apply.

• In-Person ID: If you go to the Ramsey County office, show a valid ID. This can be a current driver's license. A state-issued non-driver ID card also works. The ID must not be expired.

• Mail/Fax ID: If you apply by mail or fax, you don't show ID directly. Instead, your signature on the application must be notarized. The notary checks your ID and confirms your identity. This is why the notary stamp is so important. If you use the Ramsey County form by mail and lack a current ID, you may need to include a notarized "Statement to Identify Certified Death Record Applicant".

Costs and Processing Details

Getting copies of death records involves fees. The cost depends on the type of copy and how many you need. There are also options if you need the record faster than normal. It helps to know the costs before you apply. Plan for how you will pay.

Fees for Death Certificates

The fees are set by the state and are the same at county offices.

• First Certified Copy: The cost is $13.00. This applies whether you get it from Ramsey County or MDH.

• Additional Copies: If you order more copies of the same record at the same time, each extra copy costs $6.00.

• Noncertified Copies: An informational (noncertified) copy also costs $13.00 for the first one. Extra copies of the same noncertified record ordered together cost $6.00 each.

• VA Purposes: If the death certificate is needed for Veterans Affairs related purposes, the fee is $0 (free). You must state this is the reason.

• Payment Options:

  • In-person at Ramsey County: Cash, check, money order (payable to Ramsey County), credit/debit card.

  • Mail (Ramsey County): Check or money order payable to Ramsey County.

  • Mail (MDH): Check or money order payable to Minnesota Department of Health. Credit card info can also be included on the MDH form.

  • Fax (MDH): Credit card only (MasterCard, VISA, Discover).

MDH Processing Options

If you order from the Minnesota Department of Health by mail or fax, you have choices for how fast it is processed and shipped.

• Standard Processing: There is no extra fee for standard processing. Requests are handled in the order they arrive.

• Faster Processing: For an extra $20.00, MDH will handle your request ahead of standard ones. This speeds up when they look at your request. It does not speed up the mail delivery itself.

• Express Shipping: For an extra $21.00, MDH can ship the certificate using an express delivery service. This is much faster than regular first-class mail. You can check a box to require a signature upon delivery for this option. This fee is in addition to the record fee and any faster processing fee.

Older Records and Genealogy Research

Finding very old death records needs different steps. State record keeping did not start until later. Family history searchers often need these older records. The Minnesota Historical Society is a key resource here. Knowing where these old records are helps a lot.

Finding Records Before State Registration (Pre-1908)

Official state death records began relatively late in Minnesota.

• County Records Start Date: Some counties started keeping death records earlier than the state. Ramsey County began recording deaths around 1870. Not all counties started this early.

• Statewide Start Date: Minnesota started statewide death registration in 1908. Records became more complete after 1910.

• Pre-1870 Research: Before 1870, there were generally no official government death records kept in Minnesota. To find death information from this time, you must look at other sources. These might include church records (burials), cemetery records or headstones, old newspapers (obituaries), census records (mortality schedules), or family bibles.

Using the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS)

The Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) holds many important records for genealogy. They have a useful index for death certificates.

• MHS Death Certificate Index: MHS has an online index for Minnesota death certificates covering 1908 to 2001. This index is free to search. It can help you find the certificate number and other details needed to order the official record from MDH or the county. You can often find the MHS People Records search portal via their main website or state resource pages like this one from the MN State Law Library: https://mn.gov/law-library/how-do-i-find/death-certificates.jsp.

• MHS Contact Information:

  • Address: 345 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102

  • Phone (Library Reference): (651) 259-3000

• Older Court Records: MHS also holds some older Ramsey County court records in its State Archives. This includes criminal files from before 1953. It also has civil case files from 1858 to 1902. You can contact the MHS Archives staff for help with these at (651) 259-3300.

Key Contacts and Official Resources

Here are the main places to contact for Ramsey County death records and related information. Using official sources ensures you get correct details. Keep these contacts handy for your search. They provide direct access to records and legal information.

Ramsey County Vital Records Contact Info

This is your local office for many death record requests.

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

• Phone: 651-266-1333

• Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Best to arrive by 4:00 p.m. for service)

• Website: https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/licenses-permits-records/death-records

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) - Vital Records Contact Info

This office handles statewide records and requests by mail or fax.

• Mailing Address: PO Box 64499, St. Paul, MN 55164-0499

• Phone: 651-201-5970 (Help desk open 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F, but closed for lunch 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.)

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

• Fax: 866-416-1357

• Website: https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/index.html

• Note on In-Person Service: MDH does not offer in-person vital records services. You must apply by mail, fax, or potentially online through their system if available.

Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) Contact Info

A key resource for older records and genealogy research.

• Address: 345 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102

• Phone (Library Reference): (651) 259-3000

• Website: https://www.mnhs.org/

Relevant Minnesota Laws Links

These state laws govern vital records access and content.

• Minnesota Statutes Chapter 144 (Department of Health / Vital Statistics): https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/144

• Minnesota Statutes Section 144.225 (Disclosure of Information from Vital Records / Access Rules): https://codes.findlaw.com/mn/health-ch-144-159/mn-st-sect-144-225/