How to Find Tennessee Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Tennessee Deaths

Statewide registration of deaths began in 1914 in Tennessee with general compliance by 1936. Counties have copies of these records.

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record: Deaths before 1872 Deaths from 1872 thru 1908 Deaths from 1908 thru 1912 Deaths from 1914 to the present I don't know when the death is

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1872

Before 1872, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Records that give death information:
Cemetery Records Newspapers Probate (wills, etc)	Church Records Census Bible Records

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1872 thru 1908

In 1872, some Tennessee counties and cities began recording deaths. Records are incomplete.

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

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

Tennessee Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
Choose one of the following:
	1872-1923 - use at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center. Covers Nashville (beginning in 1874), Knoxville (beginning in 1881), Chattanooga (beginning in 1872), and Memphis (beginning in 1848)
	1872-1923 - use your Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available through your local public library for free. Covers Nashville (beginning in 1874), Knoxville (beginning in 1881), Chattanooga (beginning in 1872), and Memphis (beginning in 1848)
Next try:
Includes Index Only
	1874-1955 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; incomplete; dates vary by county; coverage information
	Can't search the index listed above?	Try searching other records for death information.
Can't find your ancestor in the index?		Tips for searching indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

Death records from as early as 1848 to 1908 are available on microfilm for some Tennessee cities (such as Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville) through the Family History Library, see Tennessee Death Records.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1908 thru 1912

Most Tennessee counties began recording deaths in 1908.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

Tennessee Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
Choose one of the following:
	1908-1958 - use at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	1908-1958 - use your Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available through your local public library for free
Next try:
Includes Index Only
	1908-1912 - At Tennessee State Library and Archives	Free
	1874-1955 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; incomplete; dates vary by county; coverage information
	Can't search the index listed above?	Go to Step Two listed below and order a search for your ancestor from the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
Can't find your ancestor in the index?		Tips for searching indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

If the image was not included in the index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

If you do not know the exact date or place of death:
The Tennessee State Library and Archives will do a 3-year search for free.

There are no restrictions on these records.

Death certificates from 1908 to 1912 are available on microfilm through the Tennessee State Library and Archives and the Family History Library: FHL film 338140.

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

Deaths from 1914 to the present

The state of Tennessee began recording deaths in 1914.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

Tennessee Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	1914-1955 - At FamilySearch.org	Free
Try 2nd:
Choose one of the following:
	1908-1958 - use at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center; Free to Tennessee residents
	1908-1958 - use your Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available through your local public library for free; Free to Tennessee residents
Next try:
Includes Index Only
	1914-1933 - At Tennessee State Library and Archives	Free
	1949-2009 - At Shelby County Register of Deeds	Free
	1874-1955 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; incomplete; dates vary by county; coverage information
	Can't search the index listed above?	Go to Step Two listed below and order a search for your ancestor from the West Virginia Department of Health State Office.
Can't find your ancestor in the index?		Tips for searching indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

To Order Death Certificates
From County of Death		From TN Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

If you do not know the exact date or place of death:
For a fee, the Tennessee Department of Health office will search multiple years for the death certificate.

Restrictions for persons born who died within the last 50 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:

• Certain family members of the person on the certificate

NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.

Death certificates from 1914 to 1961 (including an index) are available on microfilm through the Family History Library: FHL film 1299605 (1st of 786 films).

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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