Death Certificates
Certified Copies of Death Records
available at both license center locations (County Campus and Service Center) and online
License Center West (Service Center): ISSUE ONLY, 1997-present
New Law Regarding Certified Birth and Death Certificates:
Tangible Interest Law and when it is Effective
Minnesota Statues, section 144.225, subdivision 7, as amended by the Laws of Minnesota 2000, Chapter 267, restricts access to a certified birth or death certificate to a person who has a tangible interest in the requested certificate. This is a new law that is effective August 1, 2000.
Who Has Tangible Interest?
You have tangible interest in a certificate:
- if you are the subject of the certificate;
- if you are the child, grandchild, spouse, parent, grandparent, legal custodian, or guardian of the subject;
- if you are a personal representative of the estate of the subject; or
- if you are the person who filed or a representative of the organization that filed the birth or death information with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) or a local registrar.
You may also be issued a certificate if a person who has tangible interest authorized you to receive the certificate or if you can demonstrate to the state registrar that the certificate is necessary for the determination or protection of a personal or property right.
A local, state, or federal governmental agency may be issued a certificate if it is necessary for the governmental agency to perform its authorized duties.
If you request the certificate in person, you will be asked to complete and sign an application stating that you have tangible interest in the certificate. You will be asked to show identification.
Fees:
Death Records: $13.00 for first certified certificate; $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record, purchased at the same time
Apply Online for a Death Certificate (Certified or Non-certified)