Search the North Carolina Death Index
The North Carolina death index is a public resource for finding death records across all 100 counties in the state. Each county Register of Deeds holds death certificates for deaths that took place in that county from 1913 to the present. The state vital records office in Raleigh keeps death records from 1930 forward. You can search the North Carolina death index online, by mail, or in person at local offices. This guide shows you where to look, what you need, and how to get copies of death records in North Carolina.
North Carolina Death Index Quick Facts
Where to Find the North Carolina Death Index
There are two main sources for death index records in North Carolina. The county Register of Deeds in each of the 100 counties holds death certificates for deaths that happened in that county. These offices have records from 1913 to the present day. This is the most common way people get death records in North Carolina. The county office is also the least costly option at $10 per certified copy in most counties.
The North Carolina Vital Records office is the state level source for death certificates. This office is part of the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, NC State Center for Health Statistics. It is in Raleigh at the Cooper Memorial Health Building, 225 N. McDowell St., Raleigh, NC 27603. NC Vital Records holds death records from 1930 to the present. The state office works with county registers of deeds, local health departments, and other agencies to register all deaths that occur in North Carolina. They code vital events for statistical use, keep vital records, and give certified or uncertified copies to those who qualify.
Due to high demand tied to REAL ID needs, the state office now takes 110 to 115 business days to process certificate orders. In person service is by appointment only. Call center hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 919-733-3000.
The North Carolina State Archives holds older death records. The Archives has original death records from 1913 to 1975 for most counties and indexes from 1913 to 1979. For death certificates before 1930, the State Archives is the best place to start. A few delayed death records may go back to 1909. Any death records before 1913 are at the county Register of Deeds.
How to Search North Carolina Death Records
You can search for death index records in North Carolina in several ways. The method you choose depends on the age of the record and what type of copy you need. Online tools make it easy to start your search from home. In person visits work well when you need a certified copy the same day.
Many counties now offer online ordering for death certificates through systems like Permitium or NCVitals.com. NCVitals is a source for North Carolina vital record certified copies sent straight from county Register of Deeds offices. The fee is $10 plus a $1 processing fee for each certified copy. You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express.
You can visit the NC Vital Records ordering page to start a request through the state office. The site walks you through a set of questions to route you to the right service. The state charges $24 per search and first copy for each three year period searched. This fee is not refundable even if no record is found.
Note: For genealogical research, the county Register of Deeds or the NC State Archives should be your first choice rather than the state vital records office.
Death Index Records at the Register of Deeds
Each county Register of Deeds in North Carolina holds death certificates for deaths that took place in that county. North Carolina began statewide registration of deaths in 1913, with general compliance by 1920. Most counties have complete death records from 1913 forward. The standard fee for a certified copy is $10 at the county level. This is much less than the $24 charge at the state office.
To get a death certificate from the Register of Deeds, you can visit in person, send a mail request, or use an online portal if the county has one. In person requests are often done the same day. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days plus mailing time. You need the full name of the deceased, date of death, and your relationship to the person. A valid photo ID is also required. The NC Vital Records research page has tips for finding the right office for your search.
Some counties also have older records. For example, Buncombe County has a register of deaths in Asheville from 1898 to 1909. Cumberland County has death records from 1913 and court records from 1755. Halifax County has death records from 1913 and land records going back to 1729. Each county has a different history, so check with the local office to see what records they hold.
Who Can Get Death Index Records in North Carolina
North Carolina law limits who can get certified copies of death certificates. Under NCGS 130A-93, only certain people can obtain a certified copy. Uncertified copies are open to the general public for informational use.
The following people may get a certified copy of a North Carolina death certificate:
- The spouse of the deceased
- A parent or stepparent
- A child, stepchild, or grandchild
- A grandparent
- A brother or sister
- A person seeking the record for legal determination of personal or property rights
- An authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative with proof
You must show a valid photo ID when you request a certified copy of a death record in North Carolina. Accepted forms include a state driver's license, passport, or US military ID. Under NCGS 130A-26A, it is a felony to make a false request for a vital record in North Carolina.
North Carolina Death Index Fees
Fees for death records depend on where you request them. County offices are the most affordable option. The state office costs more but can search across all counties.
At most county Register of Deeds offices, a certified copy of a death certificate costs $10. Non certified copies range from $0.25 to $1 per page depending on the county. Some counties accept cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. Others may not take personal checks. Always call first to confirm what forms of payment the office accepts. The NC Vital Records fees page lists the state level charges for certificate orders placed through Raleigh.
The state office charges $24 for a search and one copy per three year period. Each added copy at the same time costs $15. Expedited processing adds $15 more. Online ordering through county systems like Permitium adds a convenience fee of about $3.35 per order plus credit card processing fees.
Note: Fees can change, so contact the county or state office to confirm current costs before you send a request.
How to Request North Carolina Death Records
There are three main ways to request death records in North Carolina. Each method has its own steps and time frame. The right choice depends on how fast you need the record and where the death took place.
For in person requests, visit the Register of Deeds in the county where the death happened. Bring a valid photo ID and payment. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can usually get a copy the same day. The NC Vital Records contact page has links to help you find your county office.
For mail requests, send a letter to the county Register of Deeds with the full name of the deceased, date of death, your relationship, a copy of your photo ID, payment by check or money order, and a self addressed stamped envelope. Most counties process mail requests in 5 to 10 business days. If you do not know which county the death occurred in, you can send a request to the state vital records office, which can search all counties. The state mailing address is North Carolina Vital Records, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900.
For online requests, check if the county Register of Deeds has an online portal. Many counties now partner with services like Permitium or NCVitals.com for online ordering. These systems accept major credit and debit cards and send copies by mail after processing.
Genealogy Research and the North Carolina Death Index
The North Carolina death index is a key tool for anyone doing family history research. Death certificates contain details that help trace family lines. A typical North Carolina death certificate shows the full name of the deceased, date and place of death, cause of death, parents' names, and burial information. These details can open new paths in your research.
The NC Archives Store sells copies of death certificates from 1906 to 1979. This is a good option for researchers who need older records. The store is run by the NC State Archives and offers records at lower cost than the state vital records office.
FamilySearch gives free access to many North Carolina death records. Their collections include North Carolina Deaths from 1906 to 1930 with full images, North Carolina Deaths and Burials from 1898 to 1994, and North Carolina Deaths from 1931 to 1994. These are free to search and view. The NC Genealogical Society also has a vital records research guide that can help point you to the right sources for death index records in North Carolina.
The State Library of North Carolina has a vital records guide that covers death records and other resources for genealogical research. The NC Digital Collections also hosts digitized records from the State Archives that may include death related documents.
Note: For genealogical research, county offices and the State Archives are less costly than the state vital records office in Raleigh.
Browse North Carolina Death Index by County
Each county in North Carolina has its own Register of Deeds that keeps death index records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for death records in that area.
Death Index Records in Major North Carolina Cities
Residents in major cities get death records from their county Register of Deeds. Pick a city below to learn about death index resources in that area.