Frequently Asked Questions

Death certificates are available from all county vital records offices and the state. Walk-in service is available at county local issuance offices only. Service through the mail is available from state and county offices. The Minnesota Office of Vital Records does not have walk-in service.

For in person service: Visit any Minnesota county vital records office for records 1997-present. Pre-1997 records are available only in the county of death or through the Minnesota Office of Vital Records. Pre-1908 records are available only in the county of death.  

Apply by mail to the MN Office of Vital Records for records 1908 to present. The Death Certificate Application (PDF) must be signed and dated in front of a notary public if applying by mail. You can mail your application to:

Mower County Auditor-Treasurer
201 1st Street NE, Suite 7
Austin, MN 55912

If you need a death certificate quickly, make your request in person or by mail to one of the 108 county vital records offices in Minnesota.

It takes the Minnesota Department of Health two to three weeks to process a request for a death certificate. Rush processing and rush shipping via United Parcel Service (UPS) are available through the State Office of Vital Records for additional fees.

Regardless of where you go to get a Minnesota certificate, you must complete an application. Use the Death Certificate Application (PDF) to order a certificate.  

Requirements to Obtain A Death Certificate

• You must meet the legal requirements to get a certified death certificate:
• You can get a death certificate only if you have tangible interest.
• You must complete an application to request a certificate.
• You must show valid identification.
• You must pay a fee of $13. If you order more than one copy, each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time is $6. Fees are non-refundable, as per Minnesota Statutes, section 144.226.
• You must sign your application.

If No Record Exists

You will receive a “Statement of No Death Record Found” if you request a certificate and the state or county vital records office cannot identify or find a record using the information you provide.

Payment

Payment is required to get a death certificate and most other vital records documents.

The fees are the same at all county vital records offices statewide. The State Office of Vital Records accepts payment by credit card (MasterCard, VISA, or Discover), check or money order. 

Processing

If you order a death certificate from the Office of Vital Records at the Minnesota Department of Health, please allow approximately four to six weeks for the office to process your request.

All certificates are mailed using First Class Mail. If you would like your certificate returned by priority or overnight mail please provide the appropriate self-addressed stamped envelope. Contact the county for more information at 507-437-9535. We are not responsible for deliveries that do not require signatures.

Contact Us

If you still have questions about how to apply for a death certificate, email the Minnesota Office of Vital Records at or call 651-201-5970.

If you have questions about Minnesota birth/death certificates, email the Office of Vital Records or call 651-201-5970. You may also contact the Mower County Auditor-Treasure Office at 507-437-9535.