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How to get a North Dakota death certificate

In North Dakota, order a certified death certificate from the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Unit.1 The first copy costs $152 and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $102. You can order online, by mail or in person. Only the people the state lists below can order a certified copy.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Ways to order
  2. What a North Dakota death certificate costs
  3. Who can order a North Dakota death certificate
  4. ID you need
  5. What the application asks for
  6. Forms
  7. Years held and older records
  8. Special situations
  9. The state office
  10. Questions people ask
  11. Sources

Ways to order

HowCost per copyProcessing timePayment
Online$152 first, $102 each extra copy––
By mail$152 first, $102 each extra copy
+ 3 possible extra charges		–Check and money order1
In person$152 first, $102 each extra copy––

Online

Run by
North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (state-run portal vrcerts.hhs.nd.gov)3
Fees
  • First copy $152
  • Each additional copy in the same order $102
Expedited service
Online order with 'Web Order Pickup': usually ready in under two hours for pickup at the office2

Good to know

  • Online is the office's recommended route for urgent needs2

Go to the ordering site3

By mail

Fees
  • First copy $152
  • Each additional copy in the same order $102
  • Optional FedEx return shipping: ( to Alaska or Hawaii) $251
  • Optional UPS return shipping $301
  • Optional FedEx/UPS international return shipping $1001
Expedited service
$25. FedEx/UPS return orders received by 10:00 a.m. Central are processed the same day; otherwise next business day1
Payment
Check and money order1
Make payable to
ND DHHS1
Mail to
Vital Records Unit, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325, Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
4

Good to know

  • No fax or email requests or delivery1
  • Fax applications not accepted2

Open the application or mail instructions5

In person

Fees
  • First copy $152
  • Each additional copy in the same order $102
Appointment
Required4

Good to know

  • Bring the ID used to order when picking up a web order2

Open the official page4

What a North Dakota death certificate costs

First certified copy
$152
Each additional copy, same order
$102
Expedite fee
$251
If no record is found
The fee is kept as a search fee6
Fees in effect since
July 1, 20226

Types of copies

CopyAccepted forFee
Certified copy of a complete death record2For life insurance and Veteran's Administration1$152
Certified copy of a death record with the facts of death (no cause of death)2For financial institutions1$152
Certified informational copy of a death record2For the general public1$152

Who can order a North Dakota death certificate

The state names these people and bodies as able to order a certified copy. Each line gives the official wording.

  • Complete record (with cause of death and SSN)2
    Proof: The state registrar may require proof of the relationship7
  • Genetic siblings: complete record (statute: for researching family medical history)8
  • Attorney or legal representative, funeral director and person named in a court order: A certified copy of a COMPLETE DEATH RECORD may be issued to a relative*, an authorized representative, a funeral director reporting the facts of death, or by the order of a court of competent jurisdiction.2
    Proof: Court order1
  • Also by statute: child fatality review board, licensed physician, coroner/medical examiner, commissioner of veterans' affairs (veterans), persons with property interests that depend on the complete record8
  • Licensed attorneys: facts-of-death copy only (for a bona fide legal determination)2

Other kinds of copies

  • Informational copy General public: certified informational copy (no cause of death or SSN)2
Cause of death
Restricted on some copies8
Social Security number on the copy
SSN appears on complete and facts-of-death copies only2

ID you need

Photo ID
Required1
Accepted ID
  • State Government issued Photo ID or Driver's License
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs issued tribal ID card
  • US Government issued Military ID card
  • US Government issued Passport or Visa
  • US Government issued Permanent Resident Card1
Without that ID
One primary ID, or two secondary documents, or a notarized application.1
ID copy with a mail order
Include a copy of your ID5

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.1

  • Full name of deceased
  • Sex
  • Date of death
  • Place of death (city, township or county)
  • Date of birth
  • Father's full name
  • Mother's full name
  • Number and type of copies
  • Whether for genealogy
  • Requestor relationship
  • Requestor signature, name, phone, mailing address

Forms

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds
1881 to today1

Special situations

Use abroad
For an apostille, note it in the online order comments or on the paper form; Vital Records notifies the Secretary of State10 Details
Fetal death
Fetal death copies go to a parent named on the record, an authorized representative, or by court order; the request form lets the customer choose a fetal death or birth-resulting-in-stillbirth format11 Details

The state office

Office
North Dakota Vital Records Unit4
Mailing address
Vital Records Unit, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325, Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
4
Appointments
Required4

Questions people ask

How much is a certified North Dakota death certificate?

The first copy costs $15 and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $10.2

Can I order a North Dakota death certificate online?

Yes. Online: North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (state-run portal vrcerts.hhs.nd.gov).3

Who do I make the check or money order payable to?

Write it exactly as the office prints it: ND DHHS.1

What ID do I need?

The state accepts: State Government issued Photo ID or Driver's License; Bureau of Indian Affairs issued tribal ID card; US Government issued Military ID card; US Government issued Passport or Visa; US Government issued Permanent Resident Card.1

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 6, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. SFN 5531 Request for Certified Copy of a Death Record (10-2025)North Dakota Department of Health and Human Servicesdated October 1, 2025
  2. Certified Copies of Death RecordsNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  3. Secure Online Ordering of ND Birth and Death Records (login)North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  4. ND HHS Vital Records homeNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  5. Certified Copies of Death By MailNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  6. NDAC 33-04-15 Fees for Copies and SearchesNorth Dakota Legislative Branchdated July 1, 2022
  7. NDAC 33-04-13.1 Disclosure of RecordsNorth Dakota Legislative Branch
  8. NDCC chapter 23-02.1 Health Statistics ActNorth Dakota Legislative Branch
  9. SFN 58698 Authorization to Receive a Certified Copy (07-2019)North Dakota Department of Health and Human Servicesdated July 1, 2019
  10. ApostilleNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  11. Certified Copy of a Fetal Death RecordND HHS Vital Records
  12. SFN 8140 Request for Certified Copy of a Birth Record (10-2025)North Dakota Department of Health and Human Servicesdated October 1, 2025