Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital Records

Minnesota · Vital Records

health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/death.html

State Vital Records in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Minnesota. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.

Steps to takeKey facts

Steps to take when someone dies

1
Confirm the death occurred in Minnesota; the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
2
Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
  • •By mail: Mail (or fax to 866-416-1357, credit card only) the Death Certificate Request form, signed in front of a notary public, to MDH
  • •In person: Visit any county vital records office (fastest service, often while you wait); MDH itself has no counter
3
Include what the office requires with the order:
  • •Photo ID
  • •Forms signed in front of notary for mail/fax orders, or in front of county staff for in-person

State Vital Records in Minnesota: key facts

What Minnesota says7

Administering office

Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital Records.1

Mail orders

PO Box 64499, St. Paul, MN 55164-0499.1

Certificate fee

$13 for the first certified copy; $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; expedited processing adds $20.1

Who may order

All Minnesota death records are public; Anyone may buy a noncertified (informational only) death record; Certified copies require proof of eligibility.1

Filing deadline

The death certificate must be filed within 5 days.2

Public record

Any requester may obtain a copy of a death record with no waiting period; certified copies follow the eligibility rules.1

Records available from

1908. Pre-1908 records only available from county where death occurred.1

Governing law: Minn. Stat. § 149A.94

Sources2

  1. 1.Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital Records
  2. 2.Minnesota death-certificate filing rule (Minn. Stat. § 149A.94; Minn. Stat. § 149A.91; Minn. Stat. § 149A.93; Minn. Stat. § 144.221; Minn. Stat. § 307.01; Minn. R. 4601.0100, subp. 23; Minn. Stat. § 149A.02 (green burial definition); Minn. Stat. §§ 306.991, 307.14 (green burial plots))

Minnesota vital records offices

Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital Records

Phone

651-201-5970

Mailing address

PO Box 64499, St. Paul, MN 55164-0499
Verified Oct 2026

Tools for Settling an Estate in Minnesota

Free tools for settling an estate in Minnesota: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

In Minnesota, certified death certificates come from the Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsMinnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $13Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, additional copies $6Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source each.

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How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Minnesota: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 180 daysMinn. Stat. §§ 524.3-706, 524.3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsMinn. Stat. §§ 524.3-801, 524.3-803, 524.3-805, 524.3-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.

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