What are death certificates used for?
The death certificate is a legal document which is prepared by the funeral director, signed by a physician and filed with the Minnesota State Department of Health. Certified copies may be obtained through the funeral home, or county recorders office by a family member with tangible interest. Certified copies of death may be necessary for filing life insurance claims, changing the title and registration on a car, or the deed on a home. They may also be needed to file income taxes, change over financial and broker accounts, and retirement fund accounts. Once the death certificate is filed with the county clerk, you may obtain additional copies at any time. Currently in Minnesota the charge is $13 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
