Big Stone County Death Records

Big Stone County death records are kept by the county recorder in Ortonville and by the Minnesota Department of Health in St. Paul. Whether you need a certified copy for legal use or a noncertified copy for personal research, both offices can help with deaths that occurred in Big Stone County or anywhere in Minnesota. This page explains how to request a death certificate, what each copy type costs, who can access certified records, and where to look for older deaths that predate the state's registry system.

Big Stone County Vital Records Office

The Big Stone County Recorder handles death records in the county. The office is at the Big Stone County Courthouse, 20 SE 2nd St, Ortonville, MN 56278. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The county website is at co.bigstone.mn.us. This is the local office to visit for in-person requests and for records specific to deaths in Big Stone County going back to 1908.

Big Stone County holds death records from 1997 forward for any death in Minnesota. For deaths that occurred in Big Stone County before 1997, the county also holds those records from 1908 onward. Deaths before 1908 are not in the state registry and can only be found at the county level or through historical archives. The Minnesota Department of Health at health.state.mn.us holds a full statewide set from 1908 forward. MDH can be reached at 651-201-5970 or by mail at P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882.

The MDH vital records page covers the full process for requesting death records anywhere in Minnesota. The screenshot below is from that page and shows the main MDH death records resource.

Start your research at the MDH death records page for a complete overview of how the state system works.

The MDH page is the authoritative source on fees, eligibility, and ordering options for death records across all Minnesota counties including Big Stone.

Requesting a Death Certificate in Big Stone County

You can request a Big Stone County death certificate in person, by mail, or online. Each method works, but in-person is fastest.

In person at the Big Stone County Recorder in Ortonville, bring a valid photo ID and payment. You need the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the location where the death occurred. For certified copies, you must show you qualify under Minnesota Statute 144.225. This statute limits certified copies to the spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, and legal representative of the deceased person. Attorneys representing those parties and government agencies also qualify. In-person requests are typically handled the same day.

By mail, download the MDH application form at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/docs/dcappia.pdf. Fill it out fully. Sign it in front of a notary before mailing. Send the notarized form, a copy of your ID, and payment to: Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882. Checks and money orders should be payable to the Minnesota Department of Health. Mail requests for Big Stone County deaths from 1908 forward can be handled by MDH.

Online orders go through VitalChek. VitalChek adds a $7 service fee for standard orders and $17.50 for rush. Certificates arrive by mail, so allow several business days even for rush processing.

Certified and Noncertified Death Records in Big Stone County

Minnesota issues two types of death record copies. The one you need depends on why you are requesting it.

Certified copies carry the official state seal. Courts, insurance companies, banks, and government agencies require certified copies for legal matters. If you are handling an estate, transferring property, or collecting benefits after a death, you will need a certified copy. It costs $13 for the first copy, and $6 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Certified copies are restricted to eligible requestors under Minn. Stat. 144.225. You may need to provide documentation showing your relationship to the deceased when you make the request.

Noncertified copies do not carry the state seal. They are open to the public with no eligibility requirement. The cost is also $13. These copies are useful for genealogy, personal files, or family history projects. Noncertified copies are not accepted as legal proof of death by most institutions. Note also that under Minn. Stat. 13.10, death records are private for 10 years after the date of death, after which they become public records.

The MDH eligibility page at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/tangible.html lists who qualifies and what documents to include. The screenshot below shows that eligibility page.

Review the full eligibility rules at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/tangible.html before submitting your request.

Understanding the eligibility rules before you submit your request helps avoid delays and returned applications.

Historical Death Records in Big Stone County

For deaths before 1908 in Big Stone County, the state's records do not go back that far. The Minnesota Historical Society is the primary resource for pre-1908 research.

The MNHS Gale Family Library is at 345 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul. It is open Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The MNHS phone is 651-259-3300. Their death records guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/death explains what collections are available for Minnesota counties. For Big Stone County specifically, contact MNHS to ask what is in the collection. They hold microfilm, death registers, church records, and other historical materials that may cover early deaths in the county. Some materials can be searched through online catalog tools before visiting in person.

The Big Stone County Recorder in Ortonville may also hold older death registers from before 1908. Call the recorder to ask what pre-1908 materials the county has retained. Church records, cemetery records, and probate files from the Ortonville area can also help fill in early deaths not captured in official registers.

Online Access to Big Stone County Death Records

Several online tools let you search for or request Big Stone County death records without making a trip to Ortonville.

MDH offers an online verification tool for deaths registered in Minnesota from 1997 to the present. It can confirm whether a record exists and provide basic information, but it does not give you a full copy. It is useful for checking facts or confirming a record is in the state system before you order. Check what is available online at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/services.html.

For full copies online, VitalChek at vitalchek.com is the state-authorized vendor. You complete the order online, pay by credit card, and receive the certificate by mail. VitalChek adds a service fee. Records from before 1997 are not available through online tools. Those must be requested by mail or in person. Reach MDH at 651-201-5970 or through health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/contact.html for older record requests or general questions.

Cities in Big Stone County

Death records for all communities in Big Stone County are handled through the county recorder's office in Ortonville.

No cities in Big Stone County meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page. The county includes smaller communities such as Ortonville, Beardsley, Clinton, and Graceville. Death records for all of these communities are processed at the county level.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Big Stone County. If you are not sure which county holds the death record you need, check where the death occurred.