How to Find Tennessee Death Records

Statewide registration of deaths began in 1914 in Tennessee with general compliance by 1936. Counties have copies of these records.

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Next Step: When did the death occur?

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 * Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:


 * Deaths before 1872
 * Deaths from 1872 thru 1908
 * Deaths from 1908 thru 1912
 * Deaths from 1914 to the present
 * I don't know when the death is


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Deaths before 1872
Before 1872, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1872 thru 1908
In 1872, some Tennessee counties and cities began recording deaths. Records are incomplete.

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

Death records from as early as 1848 to 1908 are available on microfilm for some Tennessee cities (such as Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville) through the Family History Library, see Tennessee Death Records. Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1908 thru 1912
Most Tennessee counties began recording deaths in 1908.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
If the image was not included in the index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

If you do not know the exact date or place of death: The Tennessee State Library and Archives will do a 3-year search for free.

There are no restrictions on these records.

Death certificates from 1908 to 1912 are available on microfilm through the Tennessee State Library and Archives and the Family History Library:.

'''If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. ''' Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1914 to the present
The state of Tennessee began recording deaths in 1914.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

If you do not know the exact date or place of death: For a fee, the Tennessee Department of Health office will search multiple years for the death certificate.

Restrictions for persons born who died within the last 50 years: To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:


 * Certain family members of the person on the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.

Death certificates from 1914 to 1962 (including an index) are available on microfilm through the Family History Library:.

'''If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. ''' Return to top: Choose another death year

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