State Vital Records in North Dakota
The North Dakota Department of Health - Division of Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in North Dakota. 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.
Administering agency
North Dakota Department of Health - Division of Vital Records
State Vital Records in North Dakota: key facts
- Administering office
- North Dakota Department of Health - Division of Vital Records.
- Contact
- Phone 701-328-2360; email vitalrec@nd.gov.
- Office location
- 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 301, Bismarck, ND 58505-0200 (Judicial Wing, State Capitol, Room 118). Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
- Certificate fee
- $15 for the first certified copy; $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Processing time
- 3-5 business days after receipt, plus return mail time.
- Who may order
- Complete death record (cause of death + SSN): relative, authorized representative, genetic sibling researching family medical history, funeral director, coroner/medical examiner, a person with personal or real property interests depending on the record, or by court order; Facts-of-death record: anyone eligible for the complete record, or a licensed attorney needing it for a bona fide legal determination; Informational death record (no cause of death or SSN): the general public.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 3 days.
- Public record
- Death records are public immediately.
- Records available from
- 1881.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in North Dakota — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through the state online portal
- By mail: Mail completed death request application with check/money order and ID
- In person: Visit office at State Capitol, Room 118
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Primary or secondary forms of identification
- Completed application
- Allow the office's processing time (3-5 business days after receipt, plus return mail time).
North Dakota Department of Health - Division of Vital Records
Phone: 701-328-2360
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by mail: Mail completed death request application with check/money order and ID. in person: Visit office at State Capitol, Room 118. The office is at 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 301, Bismarck, ND 58505-0200 (Judicial Wing, State Capitol, Room 118).
The death certificate must be filed within 3 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Primary or secondary forms of identification; Completed application. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in North Dakota primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
North Dakota Department of Health - Division of Vital Records