Apple Valley Obituary Records

Apple Valley obituary records and death certificates are filed with Dakota County, which serves as the local registrar for all deaths that occur within the city. This guide covers where to find death records for Apple Valley residents, including Dakota County vital records, the free MDH online death index, the Dakota County Historical Society, and local newspaper archives.

Dakota County Vital Records

Apple Valley is in Dakota County. Deaths in the city are filed with Dakota County Vital Records at 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN. The phone number is 651-438-4312. More information is at Dakota County Vital Records. Certified death certificates cost $13 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Bring valid photo ID when requesting records in person. The county takes in-person and mail requests.

Call 651-438-4312 before visiting to confirm current hours and what documentation you need. For very old records from before statewide registration in 1908, county records may not exist, and you will need to check historical archives or contact the Dakota County Historical Society. Checking the MDH online death index first confirms whether a record exists before you make the trip to Hastings.

The City of Apple Valley website provides community resources and can direct residents to Dakota County vital records services for Apple Valley death certificate requests.

Minnesota Death Search Index

The Minnesota Department of Health maintains a free online death index for deaths registered statewide from 1908 through 2001. You search by name and see the date of death and the county where the record was filed. This is not a certified copy, but it confirms a record exists and gives you what you need to order one.

The index is at MDH Death Search Index. After locating the record, order a certified copy from Dakota County or from MDH. MDH charges $13 per certified certificate. Ordering instructions are at MDH Vital Records. The full list of county registrar offices is at MDH County Registrar Directory. The index is free and no login is needed.

The MDH self-help research guide explains how to search for and order death records in Minnesota for Apple Valley and other Dakota County residents.

Dakota County Historical Society

The Dakota County Historical Society holds local history collections for the entire county including Apple Valley. Their website is at Dakota County Historical Society. The society maintains cemetery files, church records, obituary clippings, and genealogy materials spanning many decades. For Apple Valley deaths before 1908, the historical society is one of the most comprehensive sources available. Staff can help you navigate their collections and identify the right records for your research question.

Local historical organizations hold materials that official county records do not contain, including clippings from neighborhood newspapers that may not be fully digitized online. If standard sources have not turned up what you need, the historical society is a good next step. Their expertise in local history makes them a valuable resource for any serious Apple Valley genealogy research.

Newspaper Obituaries

Apple Valley residents are covered by Twin Cities south metro newspapers and the Star Tribune, which publishes obituaries for the full metro area. Current notices are at Star Tribune Obituaries. For historical notices, the MNHS Digital Newspaper Hub at MNHS Newspapers provides free access to digitized Minnesota papers with good coverage of Dakota County publications going back many decades.

Published obituaries carry details that official records do not. They name surviving family members, list the funeral home, and describe the person's ties to the community. Checking newspaper archives alongside official records is the most thorough approach to Apple Valley death research.

Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society maintains statewide collections with coverage of Dakota County and the south metro area. Their People Search at MNHS People Search queries cemetery records, church registers, and digitized newspapers simultaneously. For Apple Valley deaths before 1908, MNHS collections are often the best source. Church records and cemetery ledgers at MNHS can document deaths in the area going back to early settlement of Dakota County.

How to Get Apple Valley Death Records

Getting a certified death certificate for an Apple Valley resident follows these steps.

• Search online first: Use the free MDH Death Search Index to confirm the record exists (1908-2001).
• Visit Dakota County: Go to 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, with valid photo ID. Cost is $13 for one certified copy, $6 each for additional copies.
• Request by mail: Get the form from MDH Vital Records and mail it with payment and a copy of your ID.
• Call for help: Reach Dakota County at 651-438-4312 with questions about current hours and what to bring.

Certified copies are issued to immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a direct need under Minnesota Statute 144.225. The county office can clarify eligibility requirements when you call. Mail requests take about one to three weeks.

Nearby Cities

These nearby qualifying cities also have obituary record pages.

Dakota County Records

Apple Valley is in Dakota County. All Apple Valley death records are filed with Dakota County Vital Records. Visit the county page for full details on countywide records and how to access them.