How to Find North Dakota Death Records

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Finding North Dakota Death Records
North Dakota became a state in 1889, and was created from the Dakota Territory. In 1893 a state law was enacted requiring registration of deaths. This law was repealed in 1895 and then reenacted in 1899. When the State Department of Vital Records was formed in 1923 all prior records kept by the counties were to be set to the state. Death records from 1893 can be obtained from the Department of Vital Records and from the county where the event occurred.

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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 1893
 * Deaths 1893 to Present
 * I don't know when the death occurred


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Deaths before 1893
Before 1893, no deaths were consistently 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 1893 to Present
In 1893, North Dakota passed a law requiring registration of deaths. This law was later repealed and then reenacted in 1899. Few deaths were recorded during that period, and even after 1899. But by 1923, the law was in full force and general compliance followed, making registration consistent.

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

If you do not find your ancestor's death, then contact the North Dakota Department of Health Office.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
With an exact date (from a death index, Social Security Death Index, or cemetery record), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

Restrictions for obtaining a certificate: To obtain a copy of the death certificate with cause of death and social security number, you must be:


 * The decedent's spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or sibling
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate

NOTE: An informal copy of the death certificate can be obtained by anyone, but it will NOT contain the cause of death or social security number.

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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