Stokes County Death Index Lookup

Stokes County death records are kept at the Register of Deeds office in Danbury, North Carolina. The death index holds records from 1913 to the present. You can search for death records by name or date at the office. Stokes County staff can look up records and make copies for you. This guide shows you how to access the death index and what you will need for your search in Stokes County.

Stokes County Death Index Office

The Stokes County Register of Deeds maintains death records from 1913 to the present day. The office is in Danbury, the county seat. Mail goes to P.O. Box 67, Danbury, NC 27016. Call (336) 593-2414 to reach the office by phone. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

When you visit the Stokes County office, bring a valid photo ID and the name of the deceased. Staff will search the death index and pull the record for you. A certified copy of a death record costs $10 in Stokes County. This is a fraction of the $24 the state charges for the same search. You can get your copy on the spot during business hours.

The Stokes County Register of Deeds also keeps birth and marriage records. If you need more than one vital record, you can handle all requests in a single visit to the Danbury office.

Requesting Stokes County Death Records

You can request a death record from Stokes County in person or by mail. In-person requests are fastest. Go to the Register of Deeds in Danbury with your photo ID. Staff can search the death index right away. Most lookups take just a few minutes.

For mail requests, write down the full name of the deceased, date of death, and your relationship to the person. Add a copy of your ID, a $10 check or money order made out to the Stokes County Register of Deeds, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send it to P.O. Box 67, Danbury, NC 27016. The office will search the Stokes County death index and mail your copy. Allow one to two weeks for mail orders to be processed.

You can also order a death record from the state office at NC Vital Records for $24. The state holds records from 1930 on. But the Stokes County office is faster and cheaper for local deaths.

Death Record Access in Stokes County

North Carolina law sets rules on who can get a certified death record. Under NCGS 130A-93, only certain people may request a certified copy from Stokes County. The list includes the spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, stepparent, or stepchild of the deceased. Attorneys and legal agents acting for these people also qualify.

Anyone can get an uncertified copy of a death record from Stokes County. Uncertified copies show the same details but lack the official seal. They work well for personal files, family history research, or any use that does not require a legal document. The fee is the same $10 at the Stokes County Register of Deeds.

• Spouse or child of the deceased
• Parent, sibling, or grandparent of the deceased
• Stepparent or stepchild of the deceased
• Attorney or authorized legal agent
• Person with a legal interest in property or personal rights

North Carolina Death Index Sources

North Carolina Vital Records holds death certificates from 1930 to the present. The state office sits in Raleigh at 225 N. McDowell Street. The search fee is $24, which covers one copy if a record is found. Processing times at the state level can run over 100 business days due to high demand from REAL ID requirements.

For older records, the North Carolina State Archives has original death records from 1913 to 1975 for most counties, including Stokes County. They hold death indexes from 1913 to 1979 as well. The NC Vital Records research page guides you to the right office based on the year of death. For deaths before 1913 in Stokes County, the local Register of Deeds is your only option since statewide filing had not started yet.

Stokes County Death Index for Family Research

Death records from Stokes County are a strong source for family tree work. Each record lists the name, age, date of death, place of death, cause of death, and the parents of the deceased. Stokes County was formed in 1789, so many families have roots here going back centuries. The death index at the Register of Deeds is the best local starting point.

The North Carolina Genealogical Society has a guide to vital records covering all North Carolina counties. The NC State Library also offers free research guides. The NC Archives Store sells copies of death certificates from 1906 to 1979, which can help with older Stokes County death searches.

Note: For deaths before 1913, check local church and cemetery records in Stokes County, as the state did not collect death records until that year.

Stokes County Death Index Copy Fees

A certified death certificate from Stokes County costs $10. This rate is set by state law and applies at every county Register of Deeds office in North Carolina. Each extra copy of the same death record is also $10.

The state Vital Records office charges $24 per three-year search. That is more than double the Stokes County rate. For records filed locally, the Stokes County Register of Deeds in Danbury is the cheaper and faster option. Walk-in requests are handled the same day. Mail orders from the Stokes County office typically take one to two weeks.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Stokes County. If you are not sure which county holds a death record, check the address where the death took place.