How to Find Minnesota Death Records
Minnesota gained statehood in 1858. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1908. General compliance followed shortly after in 1910.
Next Step: When did the death occur? |
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Deaths before 1870
Before 1870, 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: | ||
Deaths between 1870 and 1908
Some counties in Minnesota began to keep death records in 1870. Statewide registration started in 1908. General compliance throughout the state began in 1910.
STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For death that exist during this time period, try the following databases.
| Minnesota Death Databases - Includes Indexes Only | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1835-1990 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index to death and burial records from the state of Minnesota. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the FamilySearch Library and at FamilySearch Centers | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1887-2001 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index to death records from the state of Minnesota. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the FamilySearch Library and at FamilySearch Centers | |||
| Try 3rd: | ||||
| 1866-1916 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index of death records in St. Paul (Ramsey County) and Minneapolis (Hennepin County), Minnesota. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the FamilySearch Library and FamilySearch Centers. | |||
| Try 4th: | ||||
| 1887-2001 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index and images of death records from the Minnesota Historical Society. | |||
| 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
There are two options:
- If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can view the microfilm at the FamilySearch Library or some FamilySearch Centers.
- You may also order the certificate, for a fee, from one of the two locations:
Deaths after 1908
The state of Minnesota began recording deaths in 1908.
STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following database.
| Minnesota Death Databases - Includes Indexes Only | |||
| Try 1st: | |||
| 1908-2001 - At Minnesota Historical Society | Free; index of deaths from the Minnesota Department of Health in Minneapolis | ||
| Try 2nd: | |||
| 1908-2002 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index to death records from the state of Minnesota. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the FamilySearch Library and at some FamilySearch Centers. Also available on Ancestry ($), free at FamilySearch centers. | ||
| Try 3rd: | |||
| 1835-1990 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index to death and burial records from the state of Minnesota. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the FamilySearch Library and at some FamilySearch Centers | ||
| Try 4nd: | |||
| 1887-2001 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index to death records from the state of Minnesota. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the FamilySearch Library and at FamilySearch Centers | ||
| Try 5th: | |||
| 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
To get an image of the certificate, you can order a copy of the death certificate from one of the following locations:
- FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can view the microfilm at the FamilySearch Library or some FamilySearch Centers.
- Minnesota Historical Society - click on the "Add To Order" button to the left of each desired listing. Clicking on that link will start the process of ordering the certificate.
- You may also order the certificate, for a fee, from one of the two locations:
Death records are also maintained at the county level. County copies may be obtained at the Register of Deeds office in the county where the event occurred.
If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search.