How to Find Tennessee Death Records
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Statewide registration of deaths began in 1914 in Tennessee with general compliance by 1936. Counties have copies of these records.
Next Step: When did the death occur? [edit | edit source] |
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Deaths before 1872[edit | edit source]
Before 1872, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.
| Records that give death information: | ||
Deaths from 1872 thru 1908[edit | edit source]
In 1872, some Tennessee counties and cities began recording deaths. Records are incomplete.
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 databases. Try each link.
| Tennessee Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1872-1923 - use your Ancestry subscription | ($) Free at family history centers. Covers Nashville (beginning in 1874), Knoxville (beginning in 1881), Chattanooga (beginning in 1872), and Memphis (beginning in 1848) | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1874-1955 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; incomplete; dates vary by county; coverage information | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the index? | Tips for searching indexes | |||
| No death record for your ancestor? | Other records with death information | |||
Death records from as early as 1848 to 1908 are available on microfilm for some Tennessee cities (such as Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville) through the Family History Library, see Tennessee Death Records.
Deaths from 1908 thru 1912[edit | edit source]
Most Tennessee counties began recording deaths in 1908.
STEP ONE: Find Death Information[edit | edit source]
For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.
| Tennessee Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1908-1958 - At Ancestry.com | ($) Free at family history centers | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1908-1912 - At Tennessee State Library and Archives | Free; index only | |||
| Try 3rd: | ||||
| 1874-1955 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; incomplete; dates vary by county; coverage information | |||
| Can't search the index listed above? | Go to Step Two listed below and order a search for your ancestor from the Tennessee State Library and Archives. | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the index? | Tips for searching indexes | |||
| No death record for your ancestor? | Other records with death information | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]
If the image was not included in the index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
If you do not know the exact date or place of death:
The Tennessee State Library and Archives will do a 3-year search for free.
There are no restrictions on these records.
Death certificates from 1908 to 1912 are available on microfilm through the Tennessee State Library and Archives and the Family History Library: FHL film 338140.
If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search.
Deaths from 1914 to the present[edit | edit source]
The state of Tennessee began recording deaths in 1914.
STEP ONE: Find Death Information[edit | edit source]
| Tennessee Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||||
| Try 1st: | ||||||
| 1914-1963 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index and images | |||||
| Try 2nd: | ||||||
| 1908-1958 - At Ancestry.com | ($) Free at family history centers; index and images | |||||
| Try 3rd: | ||||||
| 1874-1955 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index only | |||||
| Try 4th: | ||||||
| 1914-1933 - At Tennessee State Library and Archives | Free; index only | |||||
| Try 5th: | ||||||
| 1908-1933 - At MyHeritage.com | Free; index only | |||||
| OR try |
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Can't search the index listed above? |
Go to Step Two listed below and order a search for your ancestor from the Tennessee Department of Health State Office. | |||||
| Can't find your ancestor in the index? | Tips for searching indexes | |||||
| No death record for your ancestor? | Other records with death information | |||||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]
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 following locations:
| To Order Death Certificates | |||
| From County of Death | From TN Dept. of Health State office | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
If you do not know the exact date or place of death:
For a fee, the Tennessee Department of Health office will search multiple years for the death certificate.
Restrictions for persons born who died within the last 50 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:
- Certain family members of the person on the certificate
- NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.
Death certificates from 1914 to 1962 (including an index) are available on microfilm through the Family History Library: FHL film 1299605 (1st of 786 films).
If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search.
