Death Records in Olmsted County
Olmsted County death records are filed and maintained by the County Recorder's office in Rochester, Minnesota. Whether you need a certified copy for legal purposes or a noncertified copy for family research, this page covers what you need to know about searching and obtaining death records from Olmsted County and the state of Minnesota.
Olmsted County Overview
Olmsted County Recorder: Death Certificate Records
The Olmsted County Recorder handles vital records including death certificates for residents of Rochester and all communities in the county. The office is at 151 4th Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can reach them by phone at 507-328-7660.
Olmsted County holds certified copies of death records for any death that occurred anywhere in Minnesota from 1997 to the present. For deaths that happened in Olmsted County between 1908 and 1996, you can get certified copies from the county or from the Minnesota Department of Health. Pre-1908 deaths in the county are only available as noncertified copies from the county recorder or through historical resources.
The county partners with VitalChek for online orders. This is one of the faster ways to get a copy if you can't visit in person. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the state fee. Walk-in visits are available but at limited capacity, so the office encourages people to use their online check-in system before arriving.
The Olmsted County vital records page covers the process in full detail. The screenshot below shows the main page for Olmsted County vital records.
Visit the Olmsted County Vital Records page to learn about available records and ordering options.
The vital records section of the county website lists what documents are available and how to request them, including online, by mail, or in person.
How to Request Olmsted County Death Certificates
There are three ways to get a death certificate from Olmsted County: in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek. Each method has its own steps, but the fees and eligibility rules are the same regardless of how you order.
The screenshot below shows the death certificates page for Olmsted County, which explains each request method and what to include.
See the Olmsted County death certificates page for current ordering instructions and required documents.
This page is updated when procedures or fees change, so it's worth checking before you submit a request.
For in-person visits, the county uses an online check-in portal so you don't have to wait in line. You can schedule your visit in advance. If you're mailing a request, include the completed application, a copy of your valid ID, and payment made out to the Olmsted County Recorder. Checks or money orders are accepted by mail.
Online orders go through VitalChek. The Olmsted County VitalChek portal is specific to this county and routes your order directly to the recorder's office. A service fee applies, and you can pay by credit card.
Order through VitalChek for Olmsted County to request a death certificate online.
VitalChek processes the request and forwards it to the Olmsted County Recorder. Processing times vary, but expedited options are available for an added fee.
Online Check-In for Olmsted County Vital Records
Olmsted County offers an online check-in system for people who want to visit the recorder's office in person. This system lets you pick a time slot, which cuts down on wait times and helps the office manage walk-in traffic. It's the preferred way to schedule an in-person visit for death certificates.
Use the Olmsted County online check-in portal to schedule your visit before going to the recorder's office.
After you book a time, you'll get a confirmation. Bring that with your ID and payment when you arrive. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours.
The recorder's office handles more than just death certificates. It also issues birth and marriage certificates, notary commissions, and ministry credentials. If you have multiple requests, you can handle them all in one visit. For large orders or research requests, contacting the office by phone first is a good idea.
Who Can Get Olmsted County Death Records: Eligibility Rules
Minnesota limits who can get a certified copy of a death record. Under Minnesota Statute 144.225, certified copies are only available to people with a direct and tangible interest in the record. This typically means the spouse, parents, adult children, or legal representative of the deceased. Funeral directors and government agencies may also get copies for official purposes.
If you don't qualify for a certified copy, you may still be able to get a noncertified copy. Noncertified copies are not acceptable for legal or government purposes, but they can be used for genealogy research and family history. The fee is $13 for a noncertified copy, the same as a certified copy.
The MDH eligibility page explains exactly who qualifies and what ID or documentation you need to show. It's worth reviewing this page before you apply so you know what to bring or include with your request.
Review the MDH eligibility requirements to see if you qualify for a certified death record in Minnesota.
When you apply, you must show a valid government-issued photo ID. If you're ordering on behalf of someone else, such as a family member's estate, you may need to provide legal documentation showing your authority to act on their behalf. The recorder's office can tell you what's acceptable.
Olmsted County Death Records Fees and Historical Research
The fee for the first certified copy of a death record in Minnesota is $13. Each additional certified copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $6. A noncertified copy also costs $13. If you order through VitalChek, a service fee of $7 is added to standard orders, or $17.50 for rush processing.
For deaths that occurred before 1997, county records only cover deaths that happened in Olmsted County itself. If you need a certified copy of a pre-1997 death from outside the county, you'll need to contact the Minnesota Department of Health. The MDH holds statewide records going back to 1908.
Visit the MDH death records page for statewide ordering options and eligibility information.
For deaths before 1908, or for noncertified historical research copies, the History Center of Olmsted County is a key resource. The History Center holds local records, family files, and other materials that go back well before statewide registration began. You can also find Olmsted County death records from 1870 to 2000 on microfilm at the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul.
Contact the History Center of Olmsted County for research help on pre-1908 deaths or genealogy projects in the Rochester area.
The MNHS research library in St. Paul is open Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Their phone number is 651-259-3300. For remote research, their online guide at the MNHS death records guide explains what's available and how to access it.
View all Olmsted County licensing and records services for a full list of what the recorder's office provides.
The licensing and records section of the county site covers notary, ministry credentials, and vital records under one department, which makes it easy to handle multiple requests in one trip or one mailing.
Cities in Olmsted County
Most death records for Olmsted County are filed through the county recorder regardless of which city or township the death occurred in. Rochester is the county seat and the largest city in the county.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Olmsted County. Death records are filed where the death occurred.