Beaufort County Death Index

The Beaufort County death index contains records for deaths that occurred in Beaufort County, North Carolina. The Register of Deeds in Washington manages these files. You can search for death records by the name of the deceased, the date of death, or other identifying details. Beaufort County death certificates go back to 1913 when North Carolina began statewide registration. The office also works closely with the Beaufort County Health Department to ensure all death records are filed correctly. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or online.

Beaufort County Death Index Office

The Beaufort County Register of Deeds is the official keeper of death records in the county. Carolyn L. Garris serves as the Register of Deeds. The staff includes Jennifer Taylor as Assistant Register and Deputies Dawn Noble, Tammy Cooper, and Stephanie Oglesby. Together they manage all vital records, land documents, and other public records for Beaufort County.

The mission of the Beaufort County Register of Deeds is to accurately record documents that maintain the integrity of the county's records. They securely collect proper fees and provide an effective way for the public to access those records. The North Carolina General Statutes mandate how the office receives, records, and indexes documents. The office maintains and safeguards some of the most valuable records a citizen will ever need, including death certificates.

The Register of Deeds is a recording office. Staff cannot advise in any legal capacity. If you have legal questions about a Beaufort County death record, consult an attorney.

Below is the Beaufort County Register of Deeds page.

The page provides contact information, hours, and details about services available for Beaufort County vital records.

Beaufort Death Index Online Access

Beaufort County offers online ordering for death certificates and other vital records. The fee is $10.00 plus a $1.00 processing fee for each certified copy when you order online. All requests received and accepted before 2:00 PM are processed the same day. You can place your order by clicking the online ordering link on the Beaufort County website or by scanning the QR code provided.

Here is the Beaufort County online vital records ordering page.

The online system handles payment and processing for Beaufort County vital record orders, including death certificates.

Public record searches for Beaufort County are also available online. You can search the Real Estate Index, Historical Real Estate Index, Maps, and Vital Records Index at the Beaufort County ROD website. Online index searches let you check if a death record exists before requesting a copy. For deed records from 1968 to 1994, look under the Historical Real Estate Data section. Map images from 1779 to the present are also accessible online.

Beaufort County Death Records Process

The Beaufort County Health Department plays a role in the death record process. The Deputy Registrar at the health department handles completion, maintenance, and transmittal of death certificates. This includes processing burial transit permits, disinterment and reinterment permits, and monthly vital statistics reports. The Health Director serves as the local registrar for all births, deaths, and fetal deaths in Beaufort County.

After a death occurs in Beaufort County, the health department processes the death certificate and forwards copies to the Register of Deeds. Certified copies can then be obtained from the Beaufort County Register of Deeds. This two-step process ensures that all Beaufort County death records are properly filed according to Chapter 130-A of North Carolina General Statutes.

To get a certified copy of a Beaufort County death certificate, contact the Register of Deeds at 252-946-2323. The health department can be reached for questions about the filing process or if a burial transit permit is needed.

Note: All online Beaufort County vital record requests submitted before 2:00 PM are processed the same business day.

Who Can Request Beaufort Death Index Records

North Carolina law controls who can get a certified death certificate. Under N.C.G.S. 130A-93, only certain people qualify for certified copies from Beaufort County. The general public cannot get a certified death record until 50 years after the date of death.

Eligible requesters include:

• Spouse of the deceased
• Parents, stepparents, or grandparents
• Children, stepchildren, or grandchildren
• Brothers or sisters of the deceased
• Persons with legal interest and proper proof
• Authorized attorneys or legal representatives

For genealogy research, the Beaufort County Register of Deeds provides uncertified copies at a much lower cost. These hold the same information as certified copies but are not valid for legal use. The North Carolina Genealogical Society recommends uncertified copies from the county as the fastest and most affordable option for researchers.

North Carolina Death Records for Beaufort

If the Beaufort County death index does not have the record you need, check the state level. North Carolina Vital Records in Raleigh holds death certificates from 1930 to the present. The search fee is $24 per three-year period. Online ordering through VitalChek adds a $13.95 processing fee.

The North Carolina State Archives holds older death certificates from 1913 to 1975 with an index from 1913 to 1979. Beaufort County is one of the oldest counties in North Carolina, founded in 1712. For the earliest death records, the Archives is the best resource. Contact them at (919) 814-6840 or archives@dncr.nc.gov.

Beaufort County death records from the early 1900s may have gaps. Statewide registration began in 1913, but consistent filing did not happen until after World War II. For deaths before 1913, look at church records, cemetery listings, and other local sources in the Beaufort County area.

Note: The $24 state search fee is not refundable even if no Beaufort County death record is located in the period searched.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Beaufort County in eastern North Carolina. If the death occurred outside Beaufort County, contact the Register of Deeds in the correct county to search their death records.