Access Lakeville Death Records

Death records for Lakeville are filed through Dakota County and the Minnesota Department of Health. Lakeville is a growing city in northern Dakota County with around 68,000 residents. Deaths that occur in Lakeville are registered at the county level, and certified death certificates are available through the Dakota County Health and Human Services office or by mail or online through the state. This page explains how to request a death certificate, who qualifies for certified copies, and where to find older historical records in the Lakeville and Dakota County area.

Dakota County Vital Records for Lakeville

All death records for Lakeville are maintained by Dakota County. The county Health and Human Services department handles vital records, including death certificates. The vital records page at co.dakota.mn.us/Government/Departments/HealthandHumanServices/VitalRecords has current address, hours, and contact information for the county office. Dakota County's offices are in the county seat of Hastings, which is southeast of Lakeville. The county holds records from 1997 forward for deaths anywhere in Minnesota.

The City of Lakeville at lakevillemn.gov handles city government functions. Lakeville does not have its own vital records office. All death certificate requests for Lakeville deaths go to Dakota County or to the Minnesota Department of Health at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/death.html. The city site can help you find general city information and contact details, but vital records are handled entirely at the county and state level.

For deaths before 1997, MDH holds records going back to 1908. For deaths before 1908, you need county or historical sources. The screenshot below was taken from the MDH website, which covers death certificate ordering by mail and online for all Minnesota deaths including those in Lakeville.

The MDH site at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/death.html explains all the options for ordering a death certificate in Minnesota, which apply to Lakeville and Dakota County deaths.

Ordering a Lakeville Death Certificate

Three methods are available: in person at Dakota County, by mail through MDH, or online through VitalChek. Each method works. The best choice depends on how quickly you need the certificate and your distance from the county offices.

In person at the Dakota County vital records office in Hastings, bring a valid government-issued photo ID and payment. Certified copies require eligibility proof under Minnesota Statute 144.225. The fee is $13 for the first certified copy and $6 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Noncertified copies are $13 each and do not require eligibility proof. Check co.dakota.mn.us for current office hours before you make the drive to Hastings.

By mail through MDH, complete and notarize the application at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/docs/dcappia.pdf. Mail it with payment by check or money order payable to MDH and a copy of your photo ID to: Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882. Call 651-201-5970 with questions. Mail orders take more time than in-person visits.

Online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com, order with a credit card. VitalChek adds a $7 standard fee or $17.50 for rush. The certificate is mailed to you after processing.

Who Can Request Certified Copies

Under Minnesota Statute 144.225, certified death certificates are available to the spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or legal representative of the deceased. Attorneys and government agencies with a legal need also qualify. If you do not meet those criteria, you can still get a noncertified copy at $13 without proving eligibility. Noncertified copies contain the same information but carry no official state seal. They are not accepted by courts, banks, or insurance companies in place of a certified copy. The MDH eligibility page at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/tangible.html has the full details on eligibility and required documentation.

Historical Death Records for Lakeville

For deaths before 1908, the state has no records. MDH did not begin collecting death certificates statewide until that year. For older deaths in the Lakeville and Dakota County area, you need county and historical sources.

The Dakota County Historical Society at dakotahistory.org holds local records, obituary files, and other historical materials related to Dakota County including the Lakeville area. They are a key resource for genealogy research and for tracing older deaths that predate the state registry. Contact them directly to ask about their collections and how to access them.

The Minnesota Historical Society at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/death holds statewide historical death records. Their Gale Family Library is at 345 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, open Thursday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call 651-259-3300. MNHS holds death registers and church records for Dakota County that can help with older Lakeville-area deaths.

The Dakota County Library system at dakotacounty.lib.mn.us has local history collections and genealogy resources. A county library branch serves the Lakeville area. Staff can help you find newspaper archives and other local materials that may contain death notices and other records going back many decades. For deaths from 1908 to 1996, MDH handles requests by mail. For deaths from 1997 forward, Dakota County is your primary contact.

Nearby Qualifying Cities

These nearby cities also have dedicated death records pages. All file records through their respective county offices.