Beltrami County Obituaries and Death Records
Beltrami County death records and obituaries can be found through the county license center, the Minnesota Department of Health, and historical archives maintained by the state and local genealogy groups. The county seat of Bemidji is home to the vital records office, which handles requests for certified death certificates. Whether you are researching a recent death or tracing family history from decades past, several reliable resources cover Beltrami County. The MNHS index, local historical society files, and newspaper archives all hold materials that help fill in the details beyond what a formal certificate shows.
Beltrami County Overview
Beltrami County Vital Records Office
Beltrami County processes death certificate requests through the License Center Vital Records office in Bemidji. The office is located at 701 Minnesota Avenue NW, Suite 100. You can request certified copies of death records in person during regular business hours or submit a request by mail. The staff handles all types of vital records including death certificates, and they can tell you what documentation you need before you come in.
For deaths from 1997 onward, Beltrami County death certificates can be ordered from any Minnesota county vital records office, not just the Beltrami office. This is helpful if you live in a different part of the state. For older records, the Beltrami County office is the starting point. The county's vital records office can direct you to state archives if a record predates local registration.
| Office | Beltrami County License Center Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 701 Minnesota Avenue NW, Suite 100 Bemidji, MN 56601 |
| Phone | 218-333-4148 |
| Website | co.beltrami.mn.us - Vital Records |
The fee schedule for death certificates is set by Minnesota Statutes section 144.226. You pay $13 for the first certified copy and $6 for each extra copy if ordered together. Non-certified copies of death records are considered public under Minnesota Statutes section 144.225.
Beltrami County Vital Records Page
The Beltrami County vital records page at co.beltrami.mn.us lists current hours, fees, and instructions for requesting death certificates from the Bemidji office.
The Beltrami County vital records page provides forms, contact information, and instructions for ordering death certificates in Bemidji.
Search Beltrami County Death Notices
The Minnesota Department of Health provides a free tool for searching death records statewide. The MDH Death Search Index covers deaths from 1997 to the present and lets you search by name and year. If a record is found, you can then order a certified copy through the MDH or a county office. The MDH also has a full guide on its vital records death page for mail and online ordering options.
For Beltrami County deaths before 1997, the Minnesota Historical Society index is the best free online resource. The MNHS People Search covers deaths statewide from 1908 to 2001. Older death cards from 1904 to 1907 are also held by MNHS but are not part of the online index. Their death records help page explains how to request these materials. The MNHS Newspaper Hub is a good source for printed obituaries from Bemidji-area newspapers.
Note: For Beltrami County deaths before 1908, contact the county office or MNHS directly, as online indexes do not go back further than 1908.
Beltrami County Historical Society
The Beltrami County Historical Society at beltramicountyhistory.org maintains local records and archives that cover the county's history. The society's collection includes obituary files, cemetery records, and local documents that go beyond what the state holds. If you are researching a death that happened in Bemidji or the rural townships of Beltrami County, the historical society is a practical resource to contact.
The society's archive reflects the county's diverse community, which includes a significant Native American population from several tribal nations. Local records sometimes capture information about deaths and family connections that do not appear in state vital records systems. Researchers working on tribal genealogy may find it worth reaching out to both the historical society and tribal offices directly.
Beltrami County Genealogy and State Resources
MNGenWeb volunteers maintain a genealogy site for Beltrami County at beltrami.mngenweb.net. This site has local death records, cemetery indexes, and other materials compiled from community sources. It is free to use and regularly updated by local volunteers who are knowledgeable about county history.
The MDH county directory at health.state.mn.us lists all local registrars across Minnesota. FamilySearch also holds historical Minnesota records including materials relevant to Beltrami County, and their guide at familysearch.org explains what is available and how to search it.
Cities in Beltrami County
Beltrami County includes Bemidji and several smaller communities. No city in Beltrami County meets the population threshold for a dedicated records page. All death records for cities and townships in Beltrami County are processed through the county vital records office in Bemidji.
Nearby Counties
Beltrami County borders several northern Minnesota counties. Each has its own vital records office and death certificate resources.