How to Find North Dakota Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths North Dakota Deaths

North Dakota received statehood in 1889, and was created from Dakota Territory. In 1893, the government passed a law requiring registration of deaths. This law was later repealed and then reenacted in 1899. General compliance began in 1923, making registration consistent.

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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 1877
 * Deaths between 1877 and 1939
 * Deaths after 1939


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Deaths before 1893
Before 1889, few deaths were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

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Deaths from 1893 thru 1899
In 1889, North Dakota was created a state from Dakota Territory. From July 1, 1893 thru 1899 records may be available at the County Clerk District Court offices. Search for death information in other records.

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 * 1899 - North Dakota law required counties to record deaths, this law was repealed and in 1923 registration of Deaths became consistent

Deaths from 1899-1923
Statewide registration of deaths began in 1923. All copies of prior (1923) death records were required to be sent to the State Department of Vital Records. Many counties retained a copy of the records.


 * 1899 - North Dakota law required vital records to be filed with township clerks.

Search for death information in other records. Return to top: Choose another death year

Find Death Information
If you do not find your ancestor's death or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the North Dakota Department of Health office.

Obtain the Certificate
With an exact date (from a death certificate, Social Security Death Index, or cemetery record), 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:

Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years: To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:


 * The person on the certificate
 * The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
 * The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
 * The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
 * The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the death.

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

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

Related Wiki Articles

 * North Dakota Vital Record
 * Learn more about U.S. Death Records
 * How to find U.S. death records
 * United States Record Selection Table
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Death Records
 * United States Marriage Records

American Indian Agency Records.
'''1880-1942 Births, marriages and deaths, Standing Rock Agency. Bureau of Indian Affairs. ''' FHL Films 1,204,876 and 1,021,936