Johnston County Death Index Records

The Johnston County death index holds records for deaths that took place in this east-central North Carolina county. Johnston County has kept death records since 1914 at the Register of Deeds office in Smithfield. You can search the Johnston County death index to find death certificates, burial data, and other vital records. The office sits at the Johnston County Courthouse on East Johnston Street. Staff there can help you get copies of death records for events in Johnston County. This page walks you through the steps to look up and request these records.

Johnston County Death Index Office

The Johnston County Register of Deeds is the main office for death records in this area. It is at 207 E. Johnston Street, Suite 209, in Smithfield, NC 27577. The phone number is 919-989-5160. You can reach them by email at rodinfo@johnstonnc.gov. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. No appointment is needed for vital records. Walk-ins are welcome until 4:45 PM.

Johnston County formed in June 1746 from Craven County. The county has a long history of record keeping. Death records in Johnston County date back to 1914, when North Carolina began to require that counties track deaths. The Register of Deeds also holds birth records from 1914, marriage records from 1746, and land records from 1748. This makes the Johnston County office a key place for both vital records and family history work. Some early records are missing or fragmented, but staff can guide you to other sources if a record is not on file.

The Johnston County death records page has details on how to get a copy of a death certificate for a person who died in Johnston County. The image below shows the Johnston County Register of Deeds death records information page.

The office keeps death certificates for all deaths that took place in Johnston County. You must show a valid ID and prove your link to the person named on the record. Certified copies cost $10 per copy, which is much less than the $24 fee at the state level. Under N.C.G.S. 130A-93, only certain people may get a certified copy. These include a spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or an authorized agent.

Ordering Johnston County Death Certificates Online

Johnston County offers an online portal for ordering certified vital records. This includes death certificates, birth certificates, and marriage certificates. The Johnston County online vital records ordering system lets you place a request from home. You will need a credit card to pay the fee. The site also charges a small processing fee on top of the standard $10 copy cost.

The image below shows the Johnston County online ordering portal for vital records.

Once your order goes through, you will get email updates about its status. Make sure all the data you enter is correct. Wrong names or dates can slow down your request. If you need the record fast, an in-person visit to the Johnston County Register of Deeds may be a better choice. Same-day service is often possible for walk-in requests.

Note: Online orders for Johnston County death records may take several business days to process and ship.

How to Request a Death Record in Johnston County

There are three ways to get a death record from Johnston County. Each method has its own steps and time frames.

The first option is to visit in person. Go to the Register of Deeds office in Smithfield during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. Tell the staff the full name of the person and the date of death. They will search the Johnston County death index and pull the record. You can get a certified copy on the spot. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order.

The second option is to send a request by mail. Write a letter with the full name of the person, the date of death, and your link to the person. Include a copy of your ID, the $10 fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail it to the Johnston County Register of Deeds at the Smithfield address. Allow two to three weeks for mail requests.

The third option is to use the online portal. Visit the Johnston County online ordering system and fill out the form. Pay with a credit card. You will get the record by mail after it is processed.

Johnston County Historical Death Index

For death records that date before 1914, you will need to check other sources. Johnston County did not keep formal death records until that year. The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds original death certificates from 1913 to 1975 for most counties. You can visit the NC State Archives or contact them for older Johnston County records.

The Johnston County genealogy resources page is a helpful guide for those doing family research. It lists what records are held at the Johnston County Courthouse. The Clerk of Court has probate records from 1760 and court records from 1759. The State Archives also has court records from 1759 to 1913, land records from 1748 to 1939, marriage records from 1746 to 1868, and probate records from 1771 to 1962.

The Johnston County Heritage Center holds census records, newspaper obituaries, a slave name index, marriage bonds, voter registration records, deeds, and cemetery records. These can fill in gaps when a death record is not on file in the Johnston County death index.

Note: The Johnston County Clerk's Office does not conduct research on your behalf, but staff will help you find materials in person.

North Carolina State Death Index Resources

If you cannot find a record in the Johnston County death index, try the state office. North Carolina Vital Records in Raleigh holds death certificates from 1930 to the present. The state office charges $24 per search, which covers one three-year period. This fee is not refundable even if no record is found.

For genealogy work, the state recommends checking the county Register of Deeds first. It costs less and is often faster. Johnston County death records from 1914 onward are at the local office. The state also points researchers to the NC State Archives for records from 1913 to 1975. North Carolina began to require death registration in 1913, but consistent filing did not happen across all counties until after World War II. Some Johnston County deaths from that early period may not have a certificate on file.

Johnston County Record Services and Alerts

The Johnston County Register of Deeds offers a fraud alert system. Property fraud cases have been on the rise. This free service sends you email alerts when a document is recorded with your name. To sign up, visit the Johnston County fraud guard page at johnstonnc.gov/fraudguard.

The office also records legal documents and maps, issues marriage licenses, certifies documents, and gives oaths. Registers of Deeds in Johnston County are elected for four-year terms. The office has won local, state, and national recognition for its work. Staff take pride in customer service and in keeping their systems up to date with current technology.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Johnston County. If you are not sure where a death took place, check neighboring counties as well. Death records are filed in the county where the death occurred.