Washington County Death Records

Washington County death records are maintained by the county vital statistics office in Stillwater and by the Minnesota Department of Health in St. Paul. Washington County is part of the Twin Cities metro area and borders Wisconsin to the east, making it one of the more populated counties in Minnesota with a significant volume of death records filed each year.

Washington County Vital Statistics Office

Washington County handles death records through its vital statistics office in Stillwater, the county seat. The office is reachable through the county website. The vital statistics page is at co.washington.mn.us/428/Vital-Statistics-Records. Check the site for current address, hours, and phone before visiting or mailing a request.

The county holds death records from 1997 forward for all deaths registered in Minnesota. For deaths that occurred specifically in Washington County before 1997, the county may retain 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 Washington County death from 1908 on.

Washington County sits east of St. Paul and is one of the most densely populated counties outside Hennepin and Ramsey. Woodbury is the largest city in the county. Stillwater is the historic county seat. The county's proximity to the Twin Cities means the vital statistics office handles high volumes of requests.

The Washington County website provides access to vital statistics services. The screenshot below is from the county website showing the vital records area.

Visit the Washington County vital statistics page for current contact details and any updates to local procedures before submitting your request.

The county site lists office details, what to bring, and how to request vital records in person or by mail from the Stillwater office.

The Washington County Historical Society at wchsmn.org maintains historical archives for the county that may be useful for older death research.

How to Request a Washington County Death Certificate

You can get a Washington County death certificate three ways: in person at the county office in Stillwater, by mail to MDH, or online through VitalChek.

In-person is the fastest method. Go to the Washington County vital statistics office in Stillwater and bring a valid photo ID, the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and payment. Certified copies require that you qualify under Minnesota Statute 144.225. Eligible people include the spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, legal guardian, and authorized representatives of the deceased. If you do not meet those criteria, you can request a noncertified copy or show a documented legal interest.

Mail requests go to MDH at: Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882. Use the application form at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/docs/dcappia.pdf. Have it notarized and include a copy of your photo ID and payment. MDH can process any Washington County death from 1908 forward.

Online orders go through VitalChek. The base fee is $13, plus $7 standard or $17.50 rush service fees. The certificate is mailed to you. For older records or deaths before 1997, contact the county office or MDH directly. Reach MDH at 651-201-5970.

Certified vs. Noncertified Copies

Minnesota issues two types of death record copies. Both are available through the county or MDH.

Certified copies have the official state seal and are used for legal and financial purposes. You need a certified copy to settle an estate, claim insurance, transfer property titles, or complete government filings. The first certified copy costs $13. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $6 each. Eligibility under Minn. Stat. 144.225 applies.

Noncertified copies are open to anyone. They cost $13 and show all the same information but without the state seal. They are not accepted for legal or financial matters, but they work well for genealogy, personal records, and family research.

Review the MDH eligibility guide at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/tangible.html if you are unsure which type you need or what to include with your application.

Historical Records for Washington County

Deaths before 1908 are not in the MDH system. For older records, you need to turn to the county or historical archives.

The Minnesota Historical Society holds Washington County death records on microfilm covering 1870 through 1994. That is an extensive collection that reaches from shortly after the county's early settlement era through most of the twentieth century. The Gale Family Library at MNHS is at 345 W Kellogg Blvd in St. Paul. Open Thursday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call 651-259-3300. Their death records guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/death explains the full collection and how to search it.

The Washington County Historical Society at wchsmn.org also holds county-specific historical materials. Their collections may include obituary indexes, cemetery records, and other materials that supplement the MNHS microfilm. For research involving pre-1870 deaths or other gaps, contacting both organizations is the best approach.

Online Death Records Search for Washington County

Several online tools are available for searching and ordering Washington County death records.

The MDH online verification tool confirms whether a death is registered in Minnesota from 1997 to the present. It returns basic information but does not issue a full copy of the certificate. Visit the MDH death records page to access this service.

To order a full copy, use VitalChek. Both certified and noncertified copies are available online. Pay by credit card and receive the certificate by mail. Service fees apply on top of the $13 base cost. For deaths before 1997, VitalChek may not cover the record, and a direct mail request to MDH or the county is the better route. Contact MDH at 651-201-5970 or visit the Washington County vital statistics page at co.washington.mn.us/428/Vital-Statistics-Records.

Cities in Washington County

Washington County includes several large communities in the eastern Twin Cities metro. Death records for all of them are filed through the Washington County vital statistics office.

Woodbury is the largest city in Washington County with a population over 75,000. Other communities include Stillwater, Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Forest Lake, Hugo, and Mahtomedi. Death records for all Washington County communities are handled through the county vital statistics office in Stillwater.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Washington County. Check where the death occurred if you are not sure which county holds the record.