Robeson County Death Records

Robeson County death records are stored at two locations in Lumberton, North Carolina. The Register of Deeds office and the Health Department both play a role in the death index for this county. You can search for death certificates going back to 1913 through the Register of Deeds. Whether you need a death record for legal proof, estate work, or family history, Robeson County keeps these records on file and ready for eligible persons to request.

Robeson County Death Index Office

The Robeson County Register of Deeds is the main office for death certificates. It sits at 500 North Elm Street, Suite 102, in Lumberton. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff keep birth and death records from 1913, marriage records from 1787, and land records from 1799. This makes the office one of the richest record sources in southeastern North Carolina.

The Robeson County Health Department vital records page explains the role of the Health Department in the death record process. When a death takes place in Robeson County, the Health Department receives the certificate first. The Deputy Registrar then files a copy with the Register of Deeds and sends the original to the State Vital Records Office in Raleigh.

You can get certified copies of death certificates from the Register of Deeds at (910) 671-3042 or from the North Carolina Vital Records office in Raleigh at (919) 733-3000. The Health Department vital records staff can also help at (910) 671-3457.

Searching the Robeson Death Index

To search the Robeson County death index, visit the Register of Deeds at 500 North Elm Street in Lumberton. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell the staff the name of the person who died and the date of death. They will look through the death index and pull up the record if one exists.

You can also request a death record by mail. Send a letter with the full name of the deceased, date of death, your name, your tie to the deceased, and a copy of your ID. Include the fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail it to: Robeson County Register of Deeds, P.O. Box 22, Lumberton, NC 28358. Staff will process your request and mail back the death certificate.

Note: Death records in Robeson County date back to 1913, but some records may list a start date of 1915 depending on the source.

Who Can Get Robeson County Death Records

North Carolina law sets who can receive a certified death certificate. Robeson County follows these rules for all death record requests. Only eligible people get certified copies.

The list of eligible persons for a Robeson County certified death certificate includes the spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, step-child, brother, or sister of the deceased. Those with a legal need tied to personal or property rights may also qualify. Authorized agents, attorneys, and legal representatives can act on behalf of an eligible person. Uncertified copies are open to the public for research or personal use.

Robeson County Death Index for Genealogy

Robeson County was formed from Bladen County in 1787. Its long history makes it a rich spot for genealogy research. The death index at the Register of Deeds is a key starting point. Death certificates list names, dates, and often the names of family members. This data helps link generations and fill gaps in family trees.

The FamilySearch Robeson County genealogy page lists several online death record sets for this area. These include North Carolina Deaths and Burials from 1898 to 1994, North Carolina Deaths from 1906 to 1930 and 1931 to 1994, North Carolina Death Indexes from 1908 to 2004, and North Carolina Death Certificates from 1909 to 1975. Many of these are free to search and can save you a trip to the Robeson County office.

The Clerk of Superior Court in Robeson County also has divorce and court records from 1920 and probate records from 1868. If you pair death records with probate files, you can learn a lot about how property passed through a family in Robeson County.

Note: The North Carolina State Archives holds death certificates from 1913 to 1975 and statewide indexes from 1913 to 1979 for all counties including Robeson.

North Carolina Death Index Resources

If you need a death record that the Robeson County office cannot provide, try the state-level options. The North Carolina Vital Records office holds death certificates from 1930 to the present. The fee is $24 per search for a three-year period. Wait times are long right now.

The North Carolina State Archives is the best pick for older death records. They have original death certificates from 1913 to 1975. For death records before 1913, check with the Robeson County Register of Deeds since pre-statewide records stayed at the county level in North Carolina.

Robeson County Death Record ID Rules

To get a certified death certificate from Robeson County, you must show valid ID. Accepted forms include a driver's license, state-issued photo ID, passport, or United States Armed Forces ID. For mail requests, include a clear copy of your ID with your letter and fee. Staff at the Register of Deeds in Lumberton will verify your identity and your right to the record before they release a certified death certificate.

This rule comes from North Carolina General Statutes that protect the privacy of vital records. Uncertified copies do not need the same level of proof. Anyone can request an uncertified copy of a Robeson County death record for research or personal use.

Robeson County Records Contact

Call or write the Robeson County Register of Deeds for help with death index searches and death certificate requests.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Robeson County. Death records are stored in the county where the death took place. Make sure you search the right one.