Sherburne County Death Records

Sherburne County death records are kept by the county recorder in Elk River and by the Minnesota Department of Health in St. Paul. This page covers how to request a death certificate, what the fees are, where to find older records, and how to search online for deaths that occurred in Sherburne County.

Sherburne County Recorder's Office

The Sherburne County Recorder's Office in Elk River handles death records for the county. The office is part of the county government complex and is reachable through the county website at sherburnecounty.gov. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday. Call or check the county site before visiting to confirm current hours and any appointment requirements.

The county recorder holds death records from 1997 forward for all deaths registered in Minnesota, not just those that occurred in Sherburne County. For deaths that happened specifically in Sherburne County prior to 1997, the recorder may still hold older records going back to 1908. The Minnesota Department of Health maintains the complete statewide registry from 1908 to the present at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/death.html. Either office can fill a request for a Sherburne County death from 1908 on.

Sherburne County sits in central Minnesota just northwest of the Twin Cities metro area. Elk River serves as the county seat, and the recorder's office there is the primary in-person location for vital records requests.

The Sherburne County website gives you a look at county services including the recorder's office. The screenshot below is from the county site at sherburnecounty.gov.

Check the Sherburne County website for the recorder's current address, phone number, and hours before you go.

The county site is the best place to confirm office details and find out about any local procedures for requesting death certificates.

How to Get a Sherburne County Death Certificate

Three methods are available for requesting a death certificate for a death in Sherburne County: in person at the county recorder's office, by mail, or online through VitalChek.

In-person requests at the Sherburne County Recorder's Office in Elk River are the fastest way to get a certified copy. Bring a valid photo ID and payment. You will need to know the full name of the person who died, the date of death, and where the death occurred. Certified copies are restricted under Minnesota Statute 144.225 to close family members — including spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and grandchild — as well as legal representatives and others with a documented legal interest. If you do not qualify, you can still request a noncertified copy.

To request by mail, use the MDH death certificate application form at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/docs/dcappia.pdf. The form must be completed and notarized before you mail it. Send it with a copy of your ID and a check or money order payable to MDH to: Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882. Mail requests typically take longer than in-person requests.

Online orders go through VitalChek. The base fee is $13, plus a $7 service charge for standard delivery or $17.50 for rush processing. VitalChek mails the certificate, so build in several business days for delivery. This method works well if you cannot visit Elk River in person and are not in a hurry.

Types of Death Record Copies

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

Certified death certificates carry the official state seal and are accepted by legal institutions, insurance companies, banks, and government offices. You need this type to settle an estate, transfer a vehicle title, file for survivor benefits, or handle any legal process that requires proof of death. The cost is $13 for the first certified copy and $6 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Eligibility is defined by Minn. Stat. 144.225.

Noncertified copies are open to anyone and also cost $13. They do not carry the official seal and are not accepted in most legal or financial situations. They are useful for family history research, building a genealogy record, or verifying personal family information. No eligibility documentation is required for a noncertified copy.

For more on eligibility and what to include with your request, see the MDH tangible interest guide at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/tangible.html.

Historical Records for Sherburne County

For deaths that occurred before 1908, MDH does not have records. State-level collection began that year. Earlier records must be found through the county or through historical archives.

The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) holds a significant collection of historical vital records from across the state. For Sherburne County, MNHS holds death records on microfilm covering 1870 through 1981. This is a broad collection that can help researchers find deaths that occurred well before the state began its registry. The Gale Family Library at MNHS is at 345 W Kellogg Blvd in St. Paul and is open Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call 651-259-3300 for assistance. Their death records guide is at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/death.

Local genealogical societies in the Elk River area may also have compiled indexes to older death records and cemetery data in Sherburne County. These can be useful when formal records are incomplete or hard to locate.

Online Search Options

You can search or order Sherburne County death records online through several tools.

The MDH offers an online verification service for deaths registered in Minnesota from 1997 to the present. This tool confirms whether a record exists and provides basic information, but it does not issue a full copy of the certificate. To learn more, visit the MDH death records page.

Full certified and noncertified copies are available online through VitalChek. Submit your request, pay by credit card, and the certificate arrives by mail. VitalChek charges service fees above the base $13 state fee. For deaths before 1997, VitalChek may not be able to process the order, and a direct mail request to MDH or the county is likely needed. Contact MDH at 651-201-5970 or check the Sherburne County vital statistics page for local guidance on older records.

Cities in Sherburne County

All death records for cities and towns in Sherburne County are handled through the county recorder in Elk River.

No cities in Sherburne County reach the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page. Elk River is the county seat and largest community, along with Big Lake, Becker, Zimmerman, and Princeton (which is in neighboring Mille Lacs County). Death records for all Sherburne County communities go through the county recorder.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Sherburne County. If you are not sure which county holds the death record you need, check where the death took place.