Fillmore County Death Index

Fillmore County death records are kept at the Fillmore County Courthouse in Preston, where the vital records office handles requests for death certificates and death index lookups going back to approximately 1870. You can search Fillmore County deaths from 1997 forward using Minnesota's free online verification tool before you make a formal request. This page covers where to go, what to bring, who can get certified copies, what fees apply, and how to search historical Fillmore County death records through state databases.

Fillmore County Courthouse Vital Records

The Fillmore County vital records office is at the Fillmore County Courthouse, 101 Fillmore St, Preston, MN 55965. Call (507) 765-4701 to check current office hours and confirm what you need. The Fillmore County website has updated contact details and any changes to their procedures. Staff there can issue death certificates for Fillmore County deaths. For deaths registered from 1997 onward, they can also pull records for deaths anywhere in Minnesota through the statewide system.

Preston is the county seat of Fillmore County in the bluff-country region of southeastern Minnesota. The courthouse is the only vital records office in the county. Calling ahead before you make the drive is always a good idea, especially for a rural county with limited staff. They can also confirm whether a specific record is held locally or whether you need to contact MDH or the State Archives for something from a different era.

MDH is the statewide alternative for Fillmore County death records. Their address is P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164. Phone: 651-201-5970. Email: health.vitalrecords@state.mn.us. The MDH death records page has application forms, fees, and complete instructions. Both the county and MDH hold certified records for deaths from 1997 onward.

How to Request Fillmore County Death Certificates

In-person requests are the fastest way to get a Fillmore County death certificate. Bring valid government-issued photo ID to the courthouse in Preston. No notarization is required for in-person visits. Staff can often process your request the same day. The fee is $13 for the first certified copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.

Mail requests must be notarized. Fill out the application, sign it in front of a notary public, and mail the notarized form with a copy of your ID and payment. Make checks or money orders payable to Fillmore County. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits, so build in extra time if you have a deadline. A downloadable request form is available from the MDH vital records page. You can use this form for either a county or state request.

Non-certified copies are available at $13 each. They contain the same basic facts as certified copies but are stamped "not for legal purposes." Non-certified records are open to any person and work well for genealogy and family history research. They can't be used to settle legal matters or transfer property.

VA certificates are free for eligible veterans and survivors when requested for benefit purposes. Ask the Fillmore County office or MDH about this option if it applies to you.

Who Can Request Fillmore County Death Records

Under Minnesota Statute 144.225, certified death certificates require a tangible interest. The law covers spouses, domestic partners, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, siblings, legal guardians, estate representatives, and attorneys acting for those parties. Government agencies with a lawful need and anyone with a court order also qualify.

If you don't fall into those groups, non-certified copies are available to anyone. Non-certified Fillmore County death records include the same identifying details but can't be used for legal purposes. They're perfectly adequate for genealogy work, family research, or general informational purposes.

Under Minnesota Statute 13.10, information about deceased individuals becomes public after a defined period. This means older Fillmore County death records are accessible to a wider audience. If you're not sure what type of record you're entitled to receive, call the courthouse at (507) 765-4701 before you submit your application.

Search Fillmore County Death Records Online

Two free tools let you search Fillmore County death records before requesting a formal copy. Minnesota's Verify a Death search tool covers deaths registered in the state from 1997 to the present. It returns basic information including name, date, and county of death. This is a fast way to confirm whether a Fillmore County death record is in the system before you fill out a request form.

The Minnesota Historical Society People Records Search covers a longer historical span, roughly 1904 to 2001. It draws from digitized death certificates and is free. More information about what MNHS records contain is at the MNHS death records help page. Combining both searches gives you broad coverage before you make a formal request.

The MDH vital records page covers the full request process for Fillmore County death records, including what documentation to provide and which fees apply.

Fillmore County Historical Death Records

Fillmore County has death records going back to around 1870. Early records from the 1870s through the 1880s can be incomplete due to inconsistent statewide registration enforcement. Coverage improves through the early 1900s as Minnesota required stricter compliance with registration law under Minnesota Statute 144.221. By the 1920s, Fillmore County death records are generally thorough and reliable.

For deaths before 1997, contact the Fillmore County Courthouse or MDH. The State Archives at 345 Kellogg Blvd W, St. Paul, MN 55102 holds older bound volumes not yet fully digitized. The MNHS People Records Search is the best tool for pre-1997 deaths from about 1904 forward. For deaths before 1904, contact the courthouse directly and ask what they have on file.

The electronic death registration system launched in 1997 and was statewide by 2001. Before that, all records were paper-based. Many have been scanned and indexed, but gaps exist for the earliest years. Fillmore County, with its long history as one of Minnesota's older settled counties, generally has good coverage from the early 20th century onward through the MNHS archive.

Fillmore County and the State Death Registry

Deaths in Fillmore 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. Request from whichever office works better for you. Fees and eligibility rules are the same at both levels.

MDH is the official long-term keeper of all Minnesota vital records. They manage the statewide death index, issue certified copies, and handle long-term archiving. For records covering multiple counties or for an older Fillmore County record the local office can't locate, MDH at 651-201-5970 is your next contact.