Objective: to evaluate the implantation of the Mortality Information System (SIM) in Pernambuco, Brazil. Methods: this was an evaluation study; primary data (questionnaires) and secondary data (SIM) were used for the municipalities to estimate the degree of implantation (DI), comparing structure and process indicators with outcome indicators; data were consolidated by region and state. Results: SIM was partially implanted in the state (70.6%) and its regions (66.3% to 74.8%); 'management' (75.1%), 'issuing and filling in' (79.1%), and 'processing' (71.7%) were partially implanted; 'collection' (80.7%) was implanted; while 'distribution and control' (49.7%) and 'analysis and dissemination' (58.0%) had incipient implantation; more than 90% coverage was found for deaths with defined underlying causes, as well as for municipalities with monthly data transfer, and death certificates typed and sent on a timely basis; consistency was found between DI and outcome indicators, which improved as DI increased. Conclusion: SIM was found to be only partially implanted owing to inadequacies in distribution, control, analysis and dissemination, thus influencing unfavorably the effects observed.

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