North Dakota · 53 counties
When someone dies in North Dakota
Two things matter first: getting certified death certificates, and, if money is short, reaching the burial assistance program in the county where the death happened. Pick your county below for exact contacts.
The paperwork
Death certificates in North Dakota
Certified copies come from the North Dakota Health and Human Services, Vital Records (official site).
The $15 search fee covers one certified copy, and additional copies issued at the same time are only $10 each, so order together. Turnaround is quick: copies are usually mailed 3 to 5 business days after your request arrives, and requests that include FedEx, UPS, or USPS Priority Mail return shipping are processed the NEXT business day. Mail the application, fees payable to ND DHHS, and your ID to Vital Records, 600 E. Boulevard Ave. Certified copies cannot be faxed or emailed and go by USPS First Class unless you pay for faster shipping. Questions go to 701-328-2360 or vitalrec@nd.gov.
Planning ahead
Nobody has died yet? Set up a power of attorney
If someone you love is aging or ill, the cheapest protection your family can get is a power of attorney, and it must happen while they can still sign. We cover North Dakota's exact rules and official forms.
North Dakota power of attorney rulesPick your county
North Dakota counties (53)
Adams CountyBarnes CountyBenson CountyBillings CountyBottineau CountyBowman CountyBurke CountyBurleigh CountyCass CountyCavalier CountyDickey CountyDivide CountyDunn CountyEddy CountyEmmons CountyFoster CountyGolden Valley CountyGrand Forks CountyGrant CountyGriggs CountyHettinger CountyKidder CountyLaMoure CountyLogan CountyMcHenry CountyMcIntosh CountyMcKenzie CountyMcLean CountyMercer CountyMorton CountyMountrail CountyNelson CountyOliver CountyPembina CountyPierce CountyRamsey CountyRansom CountyRenville CountyRichland CountyRolette CountySargent CountySheridan CountySioux CountySlope CountyStark CountySteele CountyStutsman CountyTowner CountyTraill CountyWalsh CountyWard CountyWells CountyWilliams County