Find Death Records in Plymouth

Death records for Plymouth are filed through Hennepin County and the Minnesota Department of Health. Plymouth is located in western Hennepin County with a population of around 80,000. Deaths that occur in Plymouth are registered at the county level, and certified death certificates are available through the Hennepin County Vital Records office or by mail or online through the state. This page covers how to request a death certificate, who qualifies for certified copies, and where to find historical records for the Plymouth area.

Where Plymouth Death Records Are Held

All death records for Plymouth are maintained by Hennepin County. The county vital records office is at 300 S 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487. Visit hennepin.us/residents/vital-records for current hours and contact details. The county holds records from 1997 forward. For Plymouth deaths before 1997, the Minnesota Department of Health at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/death.html holds statewide records from 1908 forward.

The City of Plymouth at plymouthmn.gov handles city government functions. Plymouth does not have its own vital records office. Death certificate requests go to Hennepin County or MDH. The Plymouth city site can provide general city service information and help you find the right contacts if you need guidance.

The screenshot below was captured from the Minnesota Department of Health website, which handles mail and online death certificate orders for all Minnesota deaths, including those in Plymouth.

The MDH site explains the full process for ordering a death certificate by mail or online, which covers Plymouth deaths as well as deaths across the entire state.

Ordering a Plymouth Death Certificate

Three methods are available: in person, by mail, or online. In person at Hennepin County is fastest. Mail and online work when you cannot visit the county offices.

In person at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S 6th Street, Minneapolis. Bring a valid photo ID and payment. The Plymouth-to-Minneapolis drive takes about 20 minutes. 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 available to anyone without eligibility requirements. The county typically processes same-day requests in person.

By mail through MDH, complete and notarize the application form at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/docs/dcappia.pdf. Send it with a 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. Phone: 651-201-5970. Mail orders take longer than in-person requests, so plan ahead if you have a deadline.

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

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 fall into these groups, you can still request a noncertified copy at $13 each without showing eligibility. Noncertified copies carry the same information as certified ones but do not have the state seal. They work for genealogy and personal records but are not accepted for legal or financial transactions. See health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/tangible.html for the full eligibility list and required documentation.

Historical Death Records for Plymouth

For deaths before 1908, the state has no records. The Minnesota Historical Society at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/death holds historical death records and related materials for Hennepin County. 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 county death registers and church records for the Hennepin County area that predate the state registry. For deaths from 1908 to 1996, MDH handles requests by mail. For deaths from 1997 forward, Hennepin County is your primary in-person option.

The Hennepin County Library Plymouth Branch at hclib.org/locations/plymouth provides access to library system genealogy resources. The Plymouth branch and the broader county library network hold newspaper archives, city directories, and local history materials that can help with Plymouth-area death research. Staff can help you work through available collections and find relevant historical sources before you make a formal request to the county or state office.

Nearby Qualifying Cities

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