Redwood County Death Records
Redwood County death records are on file at the county courthouse in Redwood Falls and at the Minnesota Department of Health in St. Paul. Redwood County sits in southwestern Minnesota along the Minnesota River and has one of the oldest vital records histories in the state. The county began recording births as early as 1864, earlier than most Minnesota counties, which suggests death registration here also started earlier than the state average. This guide explains how to access Redwood County death certificates, use the death index online, and request copies through local or state offices.
Redwood County Overview
Redwood County Court Administrator
The Redwood County Court Administrator in Redwood Falls is the local custodian for death records in the county. The courthouse is on South Jefferson Street, centrally located in Redwood Falls. For deaths that took place in Redwood County before 1997, this is the local source. Staff can search the index by name and date and confirm whether a certificate exists in the county system.
Redwood County's early start on vital records registration makes it an important county for genealogy research in southwestern Minnesota. The county's records go back further than most other Minnesota counties. If you are researching deaths from the 1860s or 1870s, Redwood County may have materials that predate what MDH or MNHS holds. Call (507) 637-4013 before visiting to confirm what records are available for your specific date range.
| Office | Redwood County Court Administrator |
|---|---|
| Address | Redwood County Courthouse 250 S Jefferson St Redwood Falls, MN 56283 |
| Phone | (507) 637-4013 |
| Website | co.redwood.mn.us |
Redwood County's Early Vital Records History
Redwood County stands out in Minnesota for beginning its vital records registration as early as 1864. This predates statewide mandatory registration by many years and gives the county an unusually deep archive. For genealogists tracing families in this area of Minnesota River Valley, the Redwood County records are a first stop.
The county's early history includes the Dakota War of 1862, which displaced many settlers and Dakota people. The aftermath of that conflict brought significant changes to the population of the region in the early 1860s and led to the systematic settlement of the area by European immigrants in the years that followed. Death records from this turbulent period, while incomplete, document some of the most significant events in Minnesota history.
Note: Redwood County began recording births as early as 1864, earlier than most Minnesota counties. Death registration may also predate state averages. Contact the court administrator for records from the 1860s and 1870s that may not be in the MDH or MNHS systems.
Minnesota Department of Health Death Records
The Minnesota Department of Health maintains certified death records for all Minnesota counties from about 1908 forward, with full electronic statewide records from 1997. For Redwood County deaths within these date ranges, MDH is a reliable source for certified copies. You can order by mail, in person in St. Paul, or online through VitalChek.
Certified copies cost $13 for the first and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Non-certified informational copies cost $13 and are available to anyone. Certified copies require tangible interest. Mail requests must be notarized and sent to MDH at P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164. In-person requests need a valid photo ID. Call 651-201-5970 with questions. Veterans get one free certified copy with proof of service. Check the MDH fee schedule for current costs.
MDH Death Records Page
The MDH vital records page is the central starting point for ordering a certified death certificate for a Redwood County death through the state.
The MDH page covers forms, fees, request methods, and answers to common questions about ordering death certificates in Minnesota.
Search Redwood County Death Records Online
The MDH Verify a Death tool is free and covers deaths from 1997 to the present. It shows whether a certificate is on file and provides basic details. It does not give you a copy but confirms the record exists before you order.
The MNHS People Search covers death certificates from 1904 through 2001 and includes Redwood County. This database is free and searchable by name and year. Results include the name, death date, location, and certificate number. Read the MNHS death records about page for details on coverage. For deaths before 1904, the Redwood County Court Administrator and local historical resources are your best options.
The Redwood County area was also heavily covered by local newspapers. The Redwood Falls Gazette and similar publications have historical issues available through the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub and Chronicling America. Obituaries from these papers often cover deaths in rural townships and small communities across the county.
How to Request a Redwood County Death Certificate
You can get death records for Redwood County through the local courthouse or through MDH. Pick the method that fits your needs.
In Person: Go to the Redwood County Courthouse at 250 S Jefferson St in Redwood Falls. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can search the index and process most requests the same day. Early records from the 1860s and 1870s may need more time to locate. Call ahead to confirm availability.
By Mail: Send a request to the Redwood County Court Administrator at the courthouse address or to MDH at P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164. Mail requests to MDH must include a notarized application. Include payment by check or money order. Allow one to three weeks for processing.
Online: VitalChek, linked from the MDH website, accepts online orders for certified copies. A convenience fee applies. For free verification of post-1997 deaths, use the MDH Verify a Death tool. For older records, you will need to contact the county or MDH directly.
Minnesota Statutes on Death Records
Death registration and access in Minnesota are governed by Minnesota Statute 144.221 and access rules under Minnesota Statute 144.225. Data classification rules under Minnesota Statute 13.10 restrict certain fields on non-certified copies. These laws apply to all Minnesota counties. Redwood County's early records may predate full state registration requirements, but the records that exist are subject to the same access rules as all other Minnesota vital records.
Genealogy Research in Redwood County
Redwood County is one of the most historically significant counties in Minnesota for family history research. The Minnesota River Valley was the site of significant conflict in 1862, and the records from the decade that followed document the dramatic resettlement of the region. German, Norwegian, and other European immigrants arrived in large numbers in the 1870s and 1880s and built the communities that still anchor the county today.
The Redwood County Museum in Redwood Falls holds collections that include family history files, church records, cemetery registers, and newspaper clippings. The county is small enough that many family histories are well-documented in local archives. Contact the museum to ask about specific family lines or townships. The Lamberton and Morgan areas, for example, have well-preserved early community records that supplement the official death index.
FamilySearch and Ancestry both include Redwood County death records in their Minnesota collections. Public library access to these databases is free at the Redwood Falls Public Library and other county libraries. The Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul holds the state death certificate collection and can help with research requests that require hands-on access to original documents.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Redwood County in southwestern Minnesota.