How Do I Get a Death Certificate in Minnesota?
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.
In Minnesota, the first certified copy costs $13Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, and each additional copy ordered at the same time $6Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. Copies ordered together cost less than separate orders placed later. The Minnesota estate settlement plan lists the accounts and institutions that each want a certified copy.
Death certificates in Minnesota are issued by the Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsMinnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. The office takes orders by mail or in person; contact it for the current options. Most funeral homes also place the first order for the family at the time of death.
Processing times in Minnesota vary; the Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsMinnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source publishes the current turnaround. A funeral home's order at the time of death usually arrives first.
In Minnesota, a certified copy can be ordered by: All Minnesota death records are public, Anyone may buy a noncertified (informational only) death record, Certified copies require proof of eligibilityMinnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. A requester shows Photo ID and Forms signed in front of notary for mail/fax orders, or in front of county staff for in-personMinnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source.
The Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsMinnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source holds death records from 1908Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to the present. Pre-1908 records only available from county where death occurred.
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Death of a Parent
A step-by-step guide to what happens after a parent dies: the documents to find, the certificates to order, and whether probate is even required.
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Loss of a Spouse
What a surviving spouse needs to do: death certificates, survivor benefits, whether probate is even required, and the tax election that expires.
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Named as Executor
What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.
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Named as Trustee
Being named trustee means managing trust assets and carrying out the grantor's wishes. Your duties, timeline, compensation, and how to get started.
Learn moreForms for Settling an Estate in Minnesota
Free forms for settling an estate in Minnesota: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Notice to Creditors
In Minnesota, the notice to creditors is published for 2Minn. Stat. §§ 524.3-801, 524.3-803, 524.3-805, 524.3-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 4 monthsMinn. Stat. § 524.3-803Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Minnesota, the Affidavit for Collection of Personal PropertyMinn. Stat. § 524.3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates valued at $75,000Minn. Stat. § 524.3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, 30 daysMinn. Stat. § 524.3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
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.
Estate Closing
In Minnesota, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsMinn. Stat. §§ 524.3-1003(b), 524.3-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
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.
Do I Need Probate?
In Minnesota, estates valued at $75,000Minn. Stat. § 524.3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Affidavit for Collection of Personal PropertyMinn. Stat. § 524.3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysMinn. Stat. § 524.3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Minnesota requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040Minn. Stat. § 290.06Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
After a death in Minnesota, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $75,000Minn. Stat. § 524.3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 4 monthsMinn. Stat. § 524.3-803Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to file claims after notice.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Minnesota levies an estate taxMinn. Stat. § 291.03, § 291.016Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $3,000,000Minn. Stat. § 291.03, § 291.016Verified Sep 15, 2026View source (top rate 16%Minn. Stat. § 291.03, § 291.016Verified Sep 15, 2026View source) and no inheritance tax; the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
In Minnesota, beneficiaries owe no inheritance tax and the estate pays any estate taxMinn. Stat. § 291.03, § 291.016Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $3,000,000Minn. Stat. § 291.03, § 291.016Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate.
How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Minnesota take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular rates, plus a 1% surtax on net investment income above $1,000,000Minn. Stat. § 290.06 (graduated rate schedule 5.35%/6.80%/7.85%/9.85%)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Hire a Minnesota Probate Attorney
Browse 63 probate firms in Minnesota with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
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Minnesota Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Minnesota probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.