North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services - Vital Records

North Dakota · Vital Records

hhs.nd.gov/vital/death

State Vital Records in North Dakota

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services - 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.

Steps to takeKey facts

Steps to take when someone dies

1
Confirm the death occurred in North Dakota; 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:
  • •Online: Order through the state's secure online application, the office's fastest method
  • •By mail: Mail the death request application (SFN 5531) with a check or money order payable to ND DHHS and a copy of ID
  • •In person: Order online and choose Web Order Pickup, or call (701) 328-2360 for an in-person appointment; bring the ID used to order
3
Include what the office requires with the order:
  • •Completed request (SFN 5531 by mail, or the online application)
  • •A legible copy of one primary photo ID, or two secondary forms of ID, or a notarized application
4
Allow the office's processing time (3-5 business days after receipt, plus return mail time).

State Vital Records in North Dakota: key facts

What North Dakota says9

Administering office

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services - Vital Records.1

Office location and hours

600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND (State Capitol, Judicial Wing, 1st floor).1

Mail orders

Vital Records, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325, Bismarck, ND 58505-0250.1

Certificate fee

$15 for the first certified copy; $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.1

Processing time

3-5 business days after receipt, plus return mail time.1

Who may order

Complete record (cause and SSN): relative, authorized representative, physician, child fatality review board, or a genetic sibling for family medical history; Also complete record: funeral director, coroner or medical examiner; veterans' affairs commissioner; a person whose property rights depend on it; court order.1

Facts-of-death record (SSN, no cause): anyone above, or an attorney needing it for a legal determination; Informational record (no cause or SSN): the general public.1

Filing deadline

The death certificate must be filed within 3 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

1881.1

Governing law: N.D. Cent. Code § 23-06-04

Sources2

  1. 1.North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services - Vital Records
  2. 2.North Dakota death-certificate filing rule (N.D. Cent. Code § 23-06-04; N.D. Cent. Code § 23-06-07; N.D. Cent. Code § 23-06-08; N.D. Cent. Code § 23-06-09; N.D. Cent. Code § 23-06-10; N.D. Cent. Code § 23-06-20; N.D. Cent. Code § 23-06-21; N.D. Cent. Code § 23-02.1-08; N.D. Cent. Code § 23-02.1-19; N.D. Cent. Code § 23-02.1-21; N.D. Admin. Code § 33-05-01-04; N.D. Admin. Code § 33-05-01-05)

North Dakota vital records offices

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services - Vital Records

Phone

701-328-2360

Mailing address

Vital Records, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325, Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
Verified Oct 2026

Tools for Settling an Estate in North Dakota

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

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

In North Dakota, certified death certificates come from the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services - Vital RecordsNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services - Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $15North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services - Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, additional copies $10North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services - Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source each.

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How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in North Dakota: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 180 daysN.D.C.C. §§ 30.1-18-06, 30.1-18-07, 30.1-18-08Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsN.D.C.C. §§ 30.1-19-01, 30.1-19-03, 30.1-19-05, 30.1-19-06Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.

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