Dakota County Death Records

Dakota County death records are available through six service locations across the county, with the primary vital records office at the Dakota County Northern Service Center in West St. Paul. The county holds death certificates for all Minnesota deaths from 1997 forward and for Dakota County deaths going back to approximately 1870. Whether you need a certified copy for a legal purpose or a non-certified copy for family research, this page covers how to request Dakota County death records, what documentation is required, and how to use state online tools to search the death index before making a formal request.

Dakota County Vital Records Locations

Dakota County offers death certificate services at six locations throughout the county, which is more than most Minnesota counties provide. The primary vital records contact is the Dakota County Northern Service Center at 1 Mendota Rd W, West St. Paul, MN 55118. Call (651) 438-4313 for current hours and location information. The Dakota County website lists all six service locations and their hours. Having multiple offices means you can usually find a convenient location no matter where in the county you live.

Dakota County is one of the most populous counties in Minnesota and borders the Twin Cities metro area. The multi-location service model reflects the large population the county serves. If you're closer to Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, or another part of the county, check the county website to find the nearest service location rather than making a long trip to West St. Paul or Hastings.

For mail requests or if you prefer to deal with the state directly, the Minnesota Department of Health handles Dakota County death certificate requests as well. MDH is at P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164, phone 651-201-5970, email health.vitalrecords@state.mn.us. Both Dakota County offices and MDH hold the same certified records for deaths from 1997 onward.

The Dakota County website lists all six service center locations where you can request death certificates and access vital records in person.

Certified Dakota County Death Certificates

Certified Dakota County death certificates are issued to people with a tangible interest in the record, as required by Minnesota Statute 144.225. The county's certified death certificate page explains what you need to provide and links to the required application form. For in-person requests, bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your completed (but unsigned) application form. Do not sign the form ahead of time; staff will witness your signature at the counter. In-person requests do not require notarization.

For mail requests, use the county's mail application form. Mail applications must be notarized. Sign the form in front of a notary, then send the notarized form with a copy of your ID and a check or money order. Make payment out to Dakota County. Include the correct amount based on the number of copies you need: $13 for the first certified copy, $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.

Dakota County also offers a downloadable in-person application form you can fill out before you arrive. Having this ready when you come to the service center can cut down your wait time, especially at busier locations.

The Dakota County certified death certificates page details eligibility requirements, the application process, fees, and links to downloadable request forms.

Non-Certified Dakota County Death Records

Non-certified Dakota County death records are open to any person. You don't need to show a relationship to the deceased or demonstrate any legal interest. The county's non-certified death records page explains how to request one. Non-certified copies are stamped "not for legal purposes" and cannot be used to settle estates, transfer property, claim insurance, or update government accounts.

Non-certified copies cost $13 each. They include the same basic identifying information as a certified copy: the deceased's name, date of death, place of death, and other identifying details. Cause of death may or may not be included depending on the type of non-certified copy you request. For genealogy and family history research, non-certified copies are usually sufficient and are easier to obtain.

Under Minnesota Statute 13.10, data about deceased individuals is generally treated as public after a defined period. This applies to older Dakota County death records and opens them to broader public access. If you're not sure whether you qualify for a certified or non-certified record, call the county at (651) 438-4313.

The Dakota County non-certified death records page outlines who can request these records, what they contain, and how to submit a request at any of the county's six service locations.

Search Dakota County Death Records Online

Minnesota's Verify a Death search tool covers deaths registered in the state from 1997 to the present. It returns basic facts like name, date of death, and county. This is a good first step before requesting a copy. It confirms a Dakota County death record exists and provides the details you need to complete the request form accurately. The tool is free and requires no registration.

For historical Dakota County deaths, the Minnesota Historical Society People Records Search covers approximately 1904 to 2001. It draws from digitized death certificates held at MNHS and is free to search. More about what those records contain is at the MNHS death records help page. Using both tools together covers a broad range of Dakota County death records at no cost before you move to a formal request.

Dakota County Historical Death Records

Dakota County death records go back to approximately 1870. Early records from the 1870s and 1880s may be incomplete due to inconsistent registration in those years. Coverage improved steadily through the early 1900s as Minnesota enforced registration standards under Minnesota Statute 144.221. By the 1920s, death registration in Dakota County was thorough and consistent.

For deaths before 1997, you generally need to contact the county where the death occurred. Dakota County holds its own pre-1997 records at the courthouse in Hastings. MDH also holds older records going back into the late 1800s for deaths registered statewide. The State Archives at 345 Kellogg Blvd W, St. Paul, MN 55102 holds bound volumes for records not yet digitized. The MNHS People Records Search is the best starting point for pre-1997 deaths in Dakota County going back to about 1904.

The electronic death registration system launched in 1997 and was fully operational statewide by 2001. Before that, records were paper-based. Most have been scanned and indexed over the years. Dakota County, with its large population, has generally well-preserved records, but very early documents from the 1870s and 1880s can have gaps.

Dakota County and the State Death Registry

Deaths in Dakota County are registered locally and flow into the MDH statewide database. Both the county and MDH hold the same certified records for deaths from 1997 onward. Dakota County's six service locations give you more options than most counties. For mail or if you prefer dealing with the state, MDH handles requests at the same fees and under the same rules.

MDH is the official long-term keeper of all Minnesota vital records and manages the statewide death index. If you need records spanning multiple counties or if a specific older Dakota County record isn't available locally, MDH at 651-201-5970 is the right contact. Their process and fees match those of the county level.