How to Find Oregon Death Records

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How to Find United States Deaths Oregon Deaths

In 1859, Oregon became the 33rd state admitted to the Union.
The earliest death record was in 1862.
Statewide registration of deaths began in July 1903 in Oregon. The counties have copies of these records.

Next Step: When did the death occur?

Death Records

Choose a time period:

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1903

Statewide registration of deaths began in 1903. There are limited records prior to this time on the county level. 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) Tax Records	Church Records Census Bible Records

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths after 1903 to present

The state of Oregon began recording deaths statewide in July 1903.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

For deaths that exist from 1903 to 1998, try the following databases. Try each link.

Oregon Deaths Databases - Includes Index
Try 1st:
	Oregon, Death Index, 1903-1998	Free at FamilySearch.org; dates from 1903-1998; death index from the Oregon State Archives and Record Center. Index provided by Ancestry.com.
Try 2nd:
	Oregon Deaths and Burials	Free at FamilySearch.org; dates from 1903-1947; name index to death and burial records from the state of Oregon. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and at your local FamilySearch Centers. This set contains 29,035 records. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed. The year range represents most of the records. A few records may be earlier or later.
If you can't find the death record in the above databases, try the following:
Oregon 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 Oregon 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 OR 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 OR 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 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.