Advance Directive

North Dakota’s Advance Directive form authorizes a healthcare proxy and deals with an individual living will, specifying instructions regarding their health care. Signatures of the individual, proxy, and two witnesses are required.

How to Order a Death Certificate

Only the deceased’s immediate family members or persons holding a documented proof of legal interest can obtain death certificates in North Dakota. The required application information includes:

• Deceased’s name and gender
• Date and place of death
• Applicant’s name, phone number, address, and notarized signature
• Applicant’s relation to the deceased or other reason for the request
• Copy of applicant’s government-issued photo ID

The certificate with one certified copy costs $5. If an additional copy is ordered at the same time, it costs $2. FedEx or UPS shipping comes at $16, plus $6 for shipping to Hawaii or Alaska.

The application can be sent to:

Vital Records

600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 301

Bismarck, ND 58505-0200

Or handed in person at:

600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Room 118

Bismarck, ND 58505-0200.

Digital Estate Planning Laws

HB 1214 authorizes an individual’s legal representative who can access and control their digital assets and communications. This bill came into effect on March 30, 2017.

Death With Dignity or Aid-in-Dying or Physician-Assisted Death

North Dakota’s House Health and Human Services Committee is currently reviewing the HB1415 bill. Updates on this matter can be found here.

Organ Donation Registry

North Dakota’s organ donation registry can be accessed here.

Physicians Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

North Dakota utilizes the standard national POLST form. This form must be completed only after a conversation with a patient or their representative. It’s necessary for patients who are at risk of a life-threatening clinical event due to a life-limiting medical condition.

Probate Laws

Information on North Dakota’s legislation on a decedent’s will regarding their estate and other assets can be found in Title 30.1: Uniform Probate Code.

Estate and Inheritance Tax

North Dakota has no estate or inheritance tax.