How to Find Minnesota Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Minnesota Deaths

Minnesota gained statehood in 1817. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1908. General compliance flollowed shortly after in 1910.

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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 1870
Before 1870, 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 between 1870 and 1908
Some counties in Minnesota began to keep death records in 1870. Statewide registration started in 1908. General compliance throughout the state began in 1910.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For death that exist during this time period, try the following databases.

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

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
There are two options:


 * If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
 * You may also order the certificate, for a fee, from one of the two locations:
 * Minnesota Department of Health
 * VitalChek

Deaths after 1939
The state of Minnesota began recording deaths in 1917.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following database.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
To get an image of the certificate, you can order a copy of the death certificate for a fee from one of the following locations:


 * Minnesota Department of Health
 * VitalChek

Death records are also maintained at the county level. County copies may be obtained at the Register of Deeds office in the county where the event occurred.

Restrictions for persons who died within the last 50 years:

To obtain a copy of the death certificate with information on the cause of death for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:


 * The decedent's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling
 * Any person who provides documentation that he or she is acting on behalf of any of the previously mentioned persons

NOTE: A copy of the certificate with information about the cause of death cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of 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

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