How to Find District of Columbia Death Records

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In 1801, District of Columbia was created from the states of Virginia and Maryland. Statewide registration of births began in 1874.

Next Step: When did the death occur? [edit | edit source]
Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:


Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1855[edit | edit source]

Before 1855, no deaths were recorded by the District. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

  • The District of Columbia did not exist until 1801 with portions coming from the state of Virginia and the state of Maryland. Before 1801, be sure to search substitute records for Virginia and Maryland.
  Records that give death information:
Death Records
Cemetery Records
Newspapers
Church Records
Census
Military Records
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Deaths between 1855 and 1873[edit | edit source]

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the resources below, try searching for death information in other records.

For deaths that occurred during the time period, try the following database.

Try
District of Columbia Deaths and Burials, 1840-1964 Available at MyHeritage ($)
Order the death record from the District of Columbia Department of Health ($)
No death record for your ancestor? Other records with death information.


If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

Death Records on Microfilm

Death records are available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center.
District of Columbia, Interments, 1855-1874 


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Deaths between 1874 and 1959[edit | edit source]

Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]


If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for death information in other records.

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following database.

District of Columbia Deaths Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
District of Columbia, Death Returns, 1874-1959 - At FamilySearch.org Free; Online death index and images.
Try 2nd:
District of Columbia, Death Returns, 1840-1964 - At FamilySearch.org Free; Online death and burial index.
Try 3rd:
District of Columbia, Select Deaths and Burials Index, 1769-1960 - At Ancestry.com ($); Free at family history centers. Online death and burial index.
Or Try:
Order the death record from the District of Columbia Department of Health ($) The Department of Health will do a 3-year search of their indexes if you do not know the exact date of death. ($)
  • Records more than 75 years old are available to anyone.
  • See restrictions for deaths less than 75 years old.
Social Security Death Index
Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor? Other records with death information


For a fee, the District of Columbia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

Death Records on Microfilm

Death records are available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center.
District of Columbia, Death Certificates, 1874-1931; index 1874-1949 
  • Step 1: Find your ancestor in the Index.
  • Step 2: Look up the corresponding record. Films Note: Civil War years (July 1852-1865) are missing.


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Deaths after 1960[edit | edit source]

Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]

PART A: You know the exact date of death

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the District of Columbia Department of Health.

To Order death Records
From DC Dept of Health
Pros Cons
Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee. Death records less than 75 years old may only be ordered by immediate family members.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

If you do not know the exact date or place of death:
For a fee, the District of Columbia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search of their indexes.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

Return to top: Choose another death year


Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records[edit | edit source]

Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those born within the last 100 years from the government agency, you must be:

  • The person on the certificate
  • The parents of person on the certificate
  • The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
  • The children of the person on the certificate
  • Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 75 years have passed from the date of the death.

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

Return to top: Choose another death year


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