Death Certificates

Olmsted now has a partnership with VitalChek.

Effective December 29, 2020, anyone needing the following services will need to make an appointment using the Olmsted County Online Check-in System.

• Vital records: Birth, marriage, and death certificates
• Notary
• Ministry credentials (ordination)

Olmsted County can provide you with certified death certificates of people who died after the year 1997, in the state of Minnesota.

If the death happened before 1997 and occurred in Olmsted County:

• For a certified death record, contact the Minnesota Department of Health.
• For a non-certified death record contact the History Center of Olmsted County.

If the death did not happen in Minnesota, contact the county or state where it happened.

1. Gather your information

Helpful information we use to find the correct record:

• First, middle & last name of the person who died
• Date of death
• Date of birth, or age at the time of death
• City and county where the person died
• The deceased's mother's name
• The deceased's father's name
• The spouse on record (if any)

2.  Verify that you have tangible interest

You must have a sufficient relationship to the subject to obtain a certified copy. Read the form below for more information.

3. Fill out the application

A. Download, print, and completely fill out one of the death certificate request forms.

If you are requesting a CERTIFIED death certificate you must have the request notarized.

Make sure you include:

• The original, notarized Death Certificate Application request form.
• A self-addressed stamped envelope.
• Fees: We accept checks, money orders, or cashier's checks, payable to Olmsted County Vital Records.
  • OR Credit Card information completed on the Death Certificate Application form. There is a 2.15% convenience fee for credit card orders.

Send to:
Olmsted County
Vital Records and Licensing
151 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904-3709

Please allow one week for processing.

Come to the Government Center

Bring your identification, the application, and the fees to:

Olmsted County Vital Records
151 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904

We accept credit cards, checks, money orders, or certified checks payable to Olmsted County Vital Records. (There is a 2.15% convenience fee for credit card orders.)

We are open between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

If you are requesting a CERTIFIED death certificate, you must have the request notarized.

• On the Fax cover page, please include your contact information.
• Fax to 507-328-7965

When paying by credit card, the name on the card must match the name of the certificate requester.
(There is a 2.15% convenience fee for credit card orders.) 
Please note: Fees are subject to change.