Get a certified Minnesota Death Certificate

Minnesota does not issue death certificates for individuals who die on U.S. military bases overseas. In such cases, if the deceased’s parents held U.S. citizenship, the U.S. Department of State records the death. To request this document, you must contact the U.S. Department of State and obtain a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542).

Minnesota death certificates are essential legal documents that are the only official proof of a person's death. They are critical in various legal, financial, and personal matters. This vital record is necessary for handling financial affairs, filing benefit claims, verifying information for institutions, managing estate settlements, and accessing benefits from government agencies after a person's passing.

Death certificates are often helpful or required for:

Settling Estates

Claiming Pension and Retirement Benefits

Marriage and Divorce Finalization

Genealogy and Historical Research

Claiming Life Insurance

Managing Accounts at Financial Institutions

Making Funeral and Burial Arrangements

Tax Filings

Claiming Social Security and Government Benefits

Handling Property Mortgage and Real Estate Matters

Enrolling in school

An officially certified death certificate from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) includes unique security features to verify its authenticity. While the appearance of an official death certificate may vary depending on the year it was issued, it will always contain essential information confirming the individual's identity at the time of death. In Minnesota, official death certificates typically display the state seal, the individual's name, the date and place of death, and the state registrar's signature. They are printed on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements. The MDH issues these certificates according to state guidelines, and all counties adhere to these secure issuance procedures.

• Full Name of the Decedent: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date and time of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred, along with the specific facility or location.
• Cause of Death: The immediate and underlying causes of death, as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
• Medical Certification Information: Includes details about who certified the death, such as the attending physician or coroner, and any contributing medical factors.
• Demographic Information: The deceased's age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and occupation.
• Disposition Details: Information about the method of disposition (burial, cremation, etc.), the date and place of disposition, and the funeral home or director responsible.
• Informant Information: The name and relationship of the person providing personal details of the deceased.
• Social Security Number: The Social Security number of the deceased.

The process for amending a death certificate in Minnesota depends on the type of changes needed.

Changes Within One Year of the Death

Informants can request changes to the death record within one year of the death without needing to provide supporting documents. Any corrections or additions to a death record require an amendment if the changes are made after purchasing the death certificate or if more than one year has passed since the date of death.

Changes to Cause of Death

To change the cause or manner of death listed on a death certificate, you need to contact the medical certifier named on the certificate. Only the medical certifier or the medical examiner in the county where the death occurred can approve requests to make such changes.

Changes After One Year of the Death

To correct or amend a death certificate, you will typically need to provide the following:

1. A completed, notarized Death Record Amendment Packet.
2. Supporting documentation: Refer to the Death Record Amendment Packet for acceptable required documentation.
3. The fees are $40.00 for administrative review, an optional rush processing fee of $20.00, and a $AsdfaQ 21.00 express delivery fee for faster shipping.

Apostilles can be obtained from the Minnesota Secretary of State by mail or VRO. You need an apostille when submitting documents to a foreign government. This special certificate verifies the authenticity of vital records for international use. It is recognized in countries that are members of the Hague Convention.

We offer comprehensive apostille services for death certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO’s service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.

If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille, follow these steps:

1. Complete the Apostille Authentication Request Form: Obtain and fill out the Apostille Request Form from the Minnesota Secretary of State's website or office.
2. Gather Required Documents: Collect the original or certified copy of the birth certificate that needs the apostille.
3. Payment of Fees: Include the appropriate fee for processing the apostille - $5.00 per certificate.
4. Include a Return Envelope (Optional): If you need expedited delivery, provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope or pre-paid label for the return of your documents.
5. Submit the Request: Mail or deliver the completed form, fee, and documents to the Minnesota Secretary of State's office.

Mailing Address: