Introduction to North Dakota Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a North Dakota 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 a 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.  

North Dakota Death certificates have been maintained by the North Dakota Division of Vital Records for individuals that died in the state of North Dakota since 1893.  Records from 1894 to 1920 are incomplete.

North Dakota Death Certificate Authorized Persons

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

• Spouse of Person Named on the North Dakota Death Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the North Dakota Death Certificate
• Child of Person Named on the North Dakota Death Certificate
• Grandparent of Person Named on the North Dakota Death Certificate
• Grandchild of of Person Named on the North Dakota Death Certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the North Dakota Death Certificate

North Dakota Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

To obtain a North Dakota Death certificate for genealogy reasons you need to meet one of the above criteria.

North Dakota Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order North Dakota Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your North Dakota Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your North Dakota 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 North Dakota Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your North Dakota Death certificate online.  It usually takes 5-7 business days 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 North Dakota Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the North Dakota Death certificate
• Date of Death on the North Dakota Death certificate
• Sex on the North Dakota Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the North Dakota Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose North Dakota Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the North Dakota 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:

 

North Dakota Division of Vital Records

600 E. Boulevard Ave. - Dept. 301

Bismarck, ND 58505-0200

Option 3 – In Person

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

North Dakota Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a North Dakota Death certificate is $5.00, which includes one certified copy of the North Dakota Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the North Dakota Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $2.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "North Dakota Department of Health." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.