How to Find Idaho Death Records
How to Find United States Deaths 
Idaho Deaths
In 1911 the state of Idaho began requiring statewide registration of deaths. Counties were required to keep records from 1907 to 1911. Some counties may have older death records.
Next Step: When did the death occur? |
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Early to 1911
West Virginia did not exist at this time and was known as the state of Virginia.Before 1853, 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: | ||
1911 to Present
In 1911 the state of Idaho began requiring statewide registration of deaths. All death records are housed on the state level. Some older records have been made public and are available online and on microfilm.
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.
STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link.
| Idaho Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1911-1937 at FamilySearch Historical Records | Free; Name index and images of Idaho Death Certificates from 1911 to 1937 | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1911-1956 State of Idaho Death Index | Free; Name index and extracted data from death records 1911 to 1956 compiled by BYU Idaho Special Collections | |||
| Try 3rd: | ||||
| Family Search Catalog | Free; microfilm of death certificates available at the Family History Library and Centers; index 1911-1932; images 1911-1937 | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No death record for your ancestor? | Other records with death information | |||
Deaths from 1917 thru 1970
The state of West Virginia began recording deaths in January 1917.
STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.
| West Virginia Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1853-1970 - At West Virginia Division of Culture and History | Free; dates vary by county and some only go to 1962; list of database county coverage (right side of the screen) on WV website | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1853-1970 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; dates vary by county and some only go to 1962; list of database county coverage (right side of the screen) on WV website; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image | |||
| If you can't find the death record in the above databases, try the following: | ||||
| West Virginia Deaths Databases - Index Only | ||||
| Ancestry Database - Choose one of the following: | ||||
| 1853-1973 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |||
| 1853-1973 - use your Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |||
| Can't access Ancestry? | Go to Step Two Part B listed below. You may be able to order the death record for your ancestor from the West Virginia Department of Health State Office. | |||
| Social Security Death Index (SSDI) | ||||
| 1937 to present at Genealogy Bank | Free; most current version; few records before 1962; gives place where the last benefit was sent | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No death record for your ancestor? | Other records with death information | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of death
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 following locations:
| To Order Death Certificates | |||
| From County of Death | From WV 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 |
See list of restrictions for ordering death records
If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of death
If you do not know the exact date or place of death:
For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search (click on the death certificates tab).
See list of restrictions for ordering death records
If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.
Deaths after 1970
PART A: You know the exact date of death
With an exact date (from your records), 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 WV 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 |
See list of restrictions for ordering death records
If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of death
| Try: | ||||
| Social Security Death Index (SSDI) | ||||
| 1937 to present at Genealogy Bank | Free; most current version; few records before 1962; gives place where the last benefit was sent | |||
| Or try: | ||||
| Order a 3 year search from WV Dept. of Health Office | ($); Click on the death certificates tab to order a death certificate | |||
| Don't want to order the death record? | Search other records with death information | |||
Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records
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:
- The parent or grandparent of the person on the certificate
- The spouse of the person on the certificate
- The child or grandchild of the person on the certificate
- The sibling of the person on the certificate
- Funeral director
- Anyone who has legal interest in 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.
If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.
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