Access Asheville Death Index

Asheville death index records are kept by the Buncombe County Register of Deeds. Asheville is the county seat and the largest city in western North Carolina. The city does not issue death certificates on its own. All death records for Asheville are filed at the county level. You can search for death certificates at the Buncombe County office in person, by mail, or through their online system. Records go back to 1913 for deaths that took place in Buncombe County.

Where to Get Asheville Death Certificates

The Buncombe County Register of Deeds issues death certificates for deaths that took place in Asheville and the rest of Buncombe County. The office is at 205 College Street, Asheville, NC 28801. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk in with a valid photo ID and payment to get your copy the same day.

Asheville does not run its own vital records program. North Carolina places death records with the county Register of Deeds. The Buncombe County office is the only local source for certified death certificates in Asheville. Staff at the office can look up records, confirm availability, and process your request while you wait.

For help in Spanish, call 828-250-4307. The general help desk number is 828-250-4303. Fax requests can be sent to 828-250-4333.

How to Request Asheville Death Records

There are three ways to get a death record in Asheville. You can visit the Buncombe County office in person, send a request by mail, or order online. Each method has its own steps, but all require proof of who you are and your right to the record.

For in-person requests, go to 205 College Street in Asheville. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. Pay the $10 fee per certified copy. The office takes cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. You get your copy the same day in most cases. This is the fastest way to search the Asheville death index and get the record you need.

To request by mail, send a copy of your photo ID, a check or money order for $10, and the completed Vital Records Request Form to the Buncombe County Register of Deeds at 205 College Street, Asheville, NC 28801. A stamped self-addressed envelope speeds up the return of your Asheville death certificate. Include the full name of the deceased and the date of death.

The City of Asheville website provides guidance on where to go for death certificates. It directs residents to the Buncombe County Register of Deeds for all vital record needs.

Online Death Index Search in Asheville

Buncombe County offers online ordering for death certificates. The Personal Records Purchase portal lets you place orders from home. You fill out the request form, upload your ID, and pay with a credit or debit card. The office then mails the certified copy to your address.

Online orders take longer than in-person visits. Allow 10 to 14 days for delivery. This option works well for people who live outside Asheville or cannot visit the office during business hours. The fee is the same $10 per certified copy, but the online system may add a small processing charge.

Note: Online orders for the Asheville death index go through the Buncombe County system, not the city of Asheville.

Who Can Get Death Records in Asheville

North Carolina law controls who can get a certified death certificate. Only certain people qualify. This rule applies in Asheville and every other city in the state. Certified records are only given to close relatives or those with legal authority.

Eligible people include:

• The spouse of the deceased
• Parents or stepparents
• Children or stepchildren
• Siblings of the deceased
• Grandparents or grandchildren
• Attorneys or legal agents with documentation

Anyone can get an uncertified copy. These cost $0.25 each at the Buncombe County office. Uncertified copies are useful for family history research. They show the same facts but lack the official seal needed for legal matters. Asheville death records in uncertified form are open to the public with no relationship requirement.

Asheville Death Index and State Records

If you cannot find a record through Buncombe County, try the state office. North Carolina Vital Records holds death certificates from 1930 to the present. The state office is in Raleigh. Their fee is $24 for a search and one copy. It costs more than the county, but the state can search across all North Carolina counties at once.

For genealogy work on Asheville families, the North Carolina State Archives is a good resource. They have death records from 1913 through 1975 for most counties. The Archives also keep indexes that cover 1913 to 1979. These can help you find the right record before you order a copy from the Buncombe County death index.

The county Register of Deeds in Asheville is less costly and often faster for local records. Use the state office when the county of death is not known or when you need a statewide search. Both offices serve the same records but at different price points and processing times.

Buncombe County Death Records

Asheville is the county seat of Buncombe County. All death records for the city go through the county Register of Deeds office located right in Asheville. For full details on Buncombe County death records, request procedures, and additional resources, visit the county page.

View Buncombe County Death Index