Introduction to Minnesota Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Minnesota Death certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal Death certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Death certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Death certificate.  

Minnesota Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By Minnesota state law, Minnesota Death certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Minnesota Death Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Minnesota Death Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Minnesota Death Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Minnesota Death Certificate
• Adult grandchildren of Person Named on the Minnesota Death Certificate
• Someone that has documentation that the record is necessary for the determination or protection of personal or property rights.
• Representative of the estate of the subject
• Trustee of a trust of Person Named on the Minnesota Death Certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Minnesota Death Certificate

Minnesota Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Non-certified copies of Minnesota Death certificates do not require demonstration of tangible interest. These Death certificates are used for genealogy purposes.

Minnesota Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Minnesota Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Minnesota Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Minnesota Death Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Minnesota Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Minnesota Death certificate online.  It usually takes 4-6 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Minnesota Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Minnesota Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Minnesota Death certificate
• Sex on the Minnesota Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Minnesota Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Minnesota Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Minnesota Death certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Minnesota Department of Health

Attention: Office of the State Registrar/ Death Certificates

P.O. Box 64499

St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0499

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Minnesota: You may go to any county health department in the State of Minnesota to obtain a certified copy of a Minnesota Death certificate. Most Minnesota Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Minnesota Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Minnesota Death certificate is $13.00, which includes one certified copy of the Minnesota Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Minnesota Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $6.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Minnesota Department of Health." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.