Scott County Death Records

Scott County death records are filed through the county recorder in Shakopee and through the Minnesota Department of Health in St. Paul. Whether you need a certified copy for legal use or a noncertified copy for family research, this page explains where to go, what it costs, and how to get the record you need for deaths that occurred in Scott County.

Scott County Vital Records Office

The Scott County Recorder's Office is the local source for death records in the county. The office is located in the Scott County Government Center in Shakopee, the county seat. You can reach the office through the county website at co.scott.mn.us. Office hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Call ahead before visiting to confirm hours or check the county site for updates.

Scott County holds death records from 1997 forward for deaths that occurred anywhere in Minnesota, and it also retains older records for deaths that specifically happened in Scott County going back to 1908. Before 1908, the state did not maintain a centralized death registry. Records from that earlier period may exist at the county level or in historical collections, but availability varies. The Minnesota Department of Health maintains the full statewide registry from 1908 to the present. Their website is health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/death.html.

Scott County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Minnesota. The population has grown significantly over the last two decades, which means a high volume of vital records pass through the county recorder's office each year. Staff handle requests for both recent and older death records.

The Minnesota Department of Health vital records page is a good starting point for understanding what records exist and how to request them. The screenshot below shows the MDH death records portal used to order state-held records.

Visit the MDH vital records page to learn about ordering options, fees, and eligibility requirements before submitting a request.

The MDH site lists all ordering options, including mail, in-person at the St. Paul office, and online through VitalChek.

Requesting a Death Certificate in Scott County

You have three ways to request a death certificate for a death that occurred in Scott County: visit the recorder's office in Shakopee in person, mail a request to the county or to MDH, or order online through VitalChek.

In-person requests at the Scott County Recorder's Office are usually the fastest option. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID, the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and payment. If you need a certified copy, you must also show that you qualify under Minnesota law. Minnesota Statute 144.225 limits certified copies to the spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, legal guardian, or authorized representative of the deceased. Others may request a noncertified copy or must demonstrate a legal need.

Mail requests go to either Scott County or to MDH. For the state office, download the death certificate application from health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/docs/dcappia.pdf. Complete it and have it notarized before mailing it to Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882. Include a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order made out to MDH. The MDH office handles deaths statewide from 1908 forward.

Online orders go through VitalChek. Standard service adds a $7 fee on top of the $13 base cost. Rush processing costs an additional $17.50. VitalChek mails the certificate to you, so allow several business days for delivery. For faster results, in-person pickup at the county is the better choice.

Certified vs. Noncertified Copies

Minnesota offers two types of death record copies. The type you need depends on how you plan to use it.

A certified death certificate has the official state seal and signature. Banks, courts, insurance companies, and government agencies accept it as legal proof of death. You need a certified copy to settle an estate, claim life insurance benefits, close accounts, transfer property titles, or apply for survivor benefits. The cost is $13 for the first certified copy. Each additional certified copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $6. To get a certified copy, you must fall within the eligible categories listed under Minn. Stat. 144.225.

A noncertified copy is a reproduction of the death record without the official seal. Anyone can request one. The cost is also $13. It works for genealogy and family history research but is not accepted in most legal or financial settings. If you are researching an ancestor or building a family tree, a noncertified copy is usually sufficient.

Not sure which type you need? The MDH eligibility guide at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/tangible.html explains who can request certified copies and what to submit with your request.

Older Death Records in Scott County

For deaths before 1908, MDH does not hold records. The state vital statistics system began that year. Earlier records must be found through county files or historical collections.

The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is the main archive for older death records across the state. Their Gale Family Library is at 345 W Kellogg Blvd in St. Paul. Hours are Thursday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call 651-259-3300 for help. The MNHS death records guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/death describes their holdings and how to search them. Collections at MNHS include county registers, church records, and cemetery data that go back well before state record-keeping began.

Scott County itself may hold older death registers and burial records. The county recorder is a good contact for pre-1908 research. Local genealogical societies in the Shakopee area may also have indexed older records and can point you to sources not available online.

Online Access to Scott County Death Records

Several online tools are available for searching or ordering Scott County death records.

The MDH online verification tool lets you confirm whether a death record exists for a specific individual. This tool covers Minnesota deaths from 1997 to the present. It shows basic information and confirms the record exists, but it does not provide a full certified copy. To learn about this tool and other MDH online services, visit the MDH death records page.

VitalChek handles online orders for certified and noncertified copies. You submit the request through their site, pay by credit card, and the certificate is mailed to you. The extra service fees apply: $7 standard, $17.50 rush. Most online orders take several business days from processing to delivery. For deaths before 1997, you will generally need to contact the county recorder or MDH directly by mail, since those older records are not available through online ordering in most cases.

You can reach MDH by phone at 651-201-5970 or visit the Scott County Recorder's website at co.scott.mn.us/428/Vital-Statistics for local request details.

Cities in Scott County

All death records for cities and towns in Scott County are filed through the Scott County Recorder's Office in Shakopee.

No cities in Scott County currently meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page. Shakopee is the county seat and largest city, with a population of approximately 45,000. Other communities include Prior Lake, Savage, Jordan, Belle Plaine, and New Prague. Death records for all of these areas are handled through the county recorder.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Scott County. If you are unsure which county holds the record you need, start with the county where the death occurred.