How to Find District of Columbia Death Records

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How to Find United States Deaths District of Columbia Deaths

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

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Next Step: When did the death occur?

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 * Birth Records
 * Choose a time period:


 * Before 1855
 * 1855 thru 1873
 * 1874 thru 1959
 * 1960 to present
 * Year unknown


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Deaths before 1855

 * 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.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1855 thru 1873
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the resources below, try searching for death information in other records.

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

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 Returns, 1855-1897


 * Step 1: Find your ancestor in the.
 * Step 2: Look up the corresponding record. Note: Civil War years (July 1852-1865) are missing.

  Return to top: Choose another death year

Obtain the Certificate
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.

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 Returns, 1855-1897


 * Step 1: Find your ancestor in the.
 * Step 2: Look up the corresponding record. Note: Civil War years (July 1852-1865) are missing.

  Return to top: Choose another death year

Obtain the Certificate
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.

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
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 100 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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