How to Find Nebraska Death Records
How to Find United States Deaths 
Nebraska Deaths
In 1867, the Territory of Nebraska was admitted to the union as the 37th state. The State began to keep death records in late 1904. Use the following time frame for deciding which resources to consider when trying to locate a death record in Nebraska.
First Step: When did the death occur? |
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Deaths before 1904
Nebraska did not begin statewide registration of death records until late 1904, although compliance was not complete for several years. Generally, they did not record deaths at the city or county level. However, the earliest death records were kept were kept by a few city health departments. For example, the city of Omaha has death records from 1873 and the city of Lincoln has death files from 1889. If you have deaths occuring in either of these cities contact the respective City Hall and request a search. Addresses are:
1819 Farnam Street, Ste H10, Omaha, NE 68183 and 3140 N St, Lincoln, NE 68510
A few Nebraska counties also began recording births and deaths before statewide registration. Contact the county clerk to have a search done and to obtain copies of the records. Be aware that they will charge you whether they find the person you are looking for or not. Therefore, before requesting a search and paying the fee, it may be worth the effort to contact the county clerk of the county where the person died and ask ahead of time if they have any pre-1905 death records.
There are some online death records and indexes at Online Nebraska Death Records and Indexes
Also, consider searching the following substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.
| Records that may give death information: | ||
Deaths from 1904 and later
All death records for the state of Nebraska are not available on the Internet. Therefore follow both steps below to find what is available whether on the internet or in record respositories.
STEP ONE: Search for Death Information Online
For deaths during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.
| Nebraska Deaths Databases - may include Index and/or Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| Online Nebraska Death Records and Index | Free | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
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Currently no death records for Neb on this site, as of 25 June 2013. Make periodic checkbacks. Use US records at right. |
Free - United States Social Security Death Index - US Death and Burials 1867-1961 (Very few from Neb)
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| If you can't find the death record in the above databases, try the following: |
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| Next Try: Ancestry Database - Choose one of the following: | ||||
| use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries
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Free use at Family History Library in Salt Lake City or at FamilySearch Centers worldwide and some Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |||
| $, 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 for a fee from the Nebraska State Vital Records 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? |
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| No death record for your ancestor? | ||||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
To order a death certificate from the state office, click on the following link to obtain information including: current cost, address and other requirements for requesting a copy of a death certificate from the State of Nebraska.
There may be some restrictions. You have to meet the proper purpose before applying for a copy of a death certificate (a request by spouse, parent, next of kin or legal representative of deceased).
If you do not want to order the death record, you can search the other records with death information to see what you can find.
Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records
Restrictions for obtaining death records:
- A legal copy of a death certificate cannot be issued without PDF proper purpose. You may get a death certificate for your spouse, your parent, or your child.
- Be sure that you meet the above proper purpose before applying for a copy of a death certificate (a request by spouse, parent, next of kin or legal representative of deceased). The fee for the search will be kept if no record is found or the right person has not asked for the record. You will be notified in writing if no record is found or the proper purpose has not been met.
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If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.
STEP THREE: Check the Film and Book holdings of the Family History Library
The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah is the largest genealogical library in the world. They have millions of records on Microfilm, Microfiche or in Printed form. Before you attempt a trip there, their catalog of holdings can be searched online at FamilySearch.org.
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