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Death certificates

Death certificates in North Dakota

In North Dakota, a certified copy of a death certificate costs $15 from the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $10. You can order online, by mail or in person. The funeral home can often order the first copies for you.

Last checked on the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records site. General information, not legal advice. Fees change, so confirm before you pay.

How to order in North Dakota

Ordering a certified copy of a death certificate in North Dakota
OfficeNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records
First certified copy$15
Each extra copy, same order$10
Who can orderA full copy with cause of death goes to a relative (spouse, parent or guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling), an authorized representative, a funeral director, or someone with a court order. Licensed attorneys with a legal need can get a copy without cause of death. Anyone can get an informational copy without cause of death or Social Security number.
ID you needA copy of one unexpired photo ID, or two other documents such as a Social Security card, utility bill, or pay stub.
Ways to orderOnline, by mail or in person.

Order online from the state

At the state office in Bismarck by appointment only. Online orders can also be picked up there.

How long it takesMail orders are usually mailed in 3 to 5 business days. Online pickup orders are ready in less than two hours.

Do funeral homes order the first copies?

Often, yes. The funeral director files the death certificate with the state, so ordering copies at the same time is common. The FTC lists death certificates among the cash advance items a funeral home may buy for you and add to its bill. Ask what it charges per copy.

Funeral directors reporting the facts of death can get a full copy with cause of death.

For more copies later, order from the office above. How many copies do you need? Our calculator counts one for each bank, insurer and agency.

Questions people ask

How much is a death certificate in North Dakota?
$15 for the first certified copy from the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records, and $10 for each extra copy ordered at the same time.
Who can order a death certificate in North Dakota?
A full copy with cause of death goes to a relative (spouse, parent or guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling), an authorized representative, a funeral director, or someone with a court order. Licensed attorneys with a legal need can get a copy without cause of death. Anyone can get an informational copy without cause of death or Social Security number.
How do I order a death certificate in North Dakota?
You can order online, by mail or in person. The state runs its own online ordering. A copy of one unexpired photo ID, or two other documents such as a Social Security card, utility bill, or pay stub.

Sources

  1. North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records: www.hhs.nd.gov/vital/death
  2. North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records: www.hhs.nd.gov/vital/deathbymail
  3. CDC/NCHS: Funeral Directors' Handbook on Death Registration and Fetal Death Reporting, 2019
  4. FTC: Complying with the Funeral Rule (cash advance items)