Bloomington Death Records

Bloomington obituary records and death certificates fall under the jurisdiction of Hennepin County, which serves as the local registrar for all deaths that occur within the city. Researchers can access official death certificates through Hennepin County, search a free online index through the Minnesota Department of Health, and find historical obituaries through newspaper archives and the Bloomington Historical Society.

Hennepin County Vital Records

Bloomington is part of Hennepin County, so all death records filed in the city go through Hennepin County Vital Records. The main Hennepin County office is at 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487. You can also use the Southdale service center at 7001 York Ave South, Edina, which is closer for many Bloomington residents. The county phone number is 612-348-8240.

Certified copies cost $13 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. You will need valid photo ID at the time of your request. The county handles both in-person and mail requests. Full details on how to apply are at Hennepin County Vital Records. For deaths before statewide registration began in 1908, you will need to look at historical archives and church records.

The Minnesota Department of Health maintains a free online death index for deaths registered statewide from 1997 to present. The search tool at MDH Death Search Index lets you look up a name and confirm a death record before ordering a certified copy.

Use the MDH death index to verify the record exists, then contact Hennepin County or MDH directly to order the official certified copy you need.

Minnesota Death Search Index

The Minnesota Department of Health offers a free online death index covering deaths registered statewide from 1908 through 2001. You can search by name and see basic record information like the date and county of death. This tool helps you confirm a record exists before you order an official certified copy.

Access the index at MDH Death Search Index. Once you locate the entry, you can order through MDH or through Hennepin County. MDH charges $13 for a certified death certificate. The full ordering process is described on the MDH Vital Records death page. A list of all county registrar offices is also available at the MDH County Registrar Directory.

Bloomington Historical Society

The Bloomington Historical Society maintains local records and collections that relate to the city's past. Their website is at Bloomington Historical Society. The society holds materials including photographs, documents, and local history items that can help researchers trace individuals who lived in Bloomington. Cemetery records and obituary clippings from local papers are among the types of materials historical societies typically maintain.

If you are researching a Bloomington resident who died decades ago and the standard record sources have not turned up what you need, contacting the historical society is a reasonable next step. Local history organizations often have unique materials not found anywhere else, and staff or volunteers can suggest other local sources to try.

Newspaper Obituaries for Bloomington

Bloomington residents are covered primarily by Twin Cities metro newspapers, especially the Star Tribune. The Star Tribune publishes obituaries for the entire metro area. Current obituaries are at Star Tribune Obituaries. Legacy.com also aggregates death notices for Bloomington from local papers at Legacy.com Bloomington Obituaries.

For historical notices, the MNHS Digital Newspaper Hub has digitized Minneapolis Tribune issues going back to 1867. Because Bloomington is in Hennepin County and closely tied to Minneapolis, the Minneapolis-area papers are the most relevant for historical Bloomington obituaries. The hub is at MNHS Digital Newspaper Hub. Newspaper obituaries routinely list surviving family, funeral details, and other information that official records often leave out.

Hennepin County Library Resources

Hennepin County Library branches provide free access to genealogy databases that include published obituaries and death index records. The Penn Lake Library branch serves the Bloomington area. The library's genealogy overview is at Penn Lake Library and the broader genealogy collection is described at Hennepin County Library Genealogy.

Library cardholders can use Ancestry Library Edition, ProQuest Obituaries, and other subscription databases at no cost from any branch location. Microfilm readers at branches let you view newspaper runs not yet digitized. City directories in the local history collection help confirm where Bloomington residents lived at specific times. Staff can guide you through the collection and suggest the right databases for your search.

Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society maintains statewide collections relevant to Bloomington research. Their People Search tool at MNHS People Search queries multiple databases including cemetery records, church registers, and digitized newspaper archives. For deaths before 1908, MNHS is often the primary source. Church records in particular can document deaths in the Bloomington area going back to the mid-1800s when the area was first settled.

How to Find Bloomington Death Records

Here are the steps to get a death certificate for a Bloomington resident.

• Search online first: Use the free MDH Death Search Index to locate the record (1908-2001).
• Visit Hennepin County in person: Bring valid photo ID to 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, or the Southdale office at 7001 York Ave South, Edina. Cost is $13 for one copy.
• 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 Hennepin County at 612-348-8240 with questions about processing times or requirements.

Certified copies are restricted to immediate family members and others with a direct and documented need under Minnesota Statute 144.225. Informational copies may be available to the general public after a waiting period. Call the county office to confirm current eligibility rules.

Nearby Cities

These nearby qualifying cities also have obituary record pages.

Hennepin County Records

Bloomington is in Hennepin County. All Bloomington death records are filed with Hennepin County Vital Records. See the county page for full countywide record access details.