Transylvania County Death Index

Transylvania County stores death records at the Register of Deeds in Brevard, North Carolina. The death index covers records from 1913 to the present day. You can search by name or date of death at this office. Transylvania County sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains and has a long history of vital record keeping. Staff at the Register of Deeds can help you find and copy death records. This page explains how to search and request records from the Transylvania County death index.

Transylvania County Death Records Office

The Transylvania County Register of Deeds keeps death records from 1913 to the present. The office is at 40 E Main Street in Brevard, NC 28712. Staff maintain the death index and can search it for you during business hours. Call (828) 884-3162 to reach the office. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Transylvania County government website lists all county offices and services. The Register of Deeds is the main source for death records in Transylvania County. A certified copy costs $10, which is far less than the $24 state fee. When you visit in person, the staff search the death index and hand you the copy the same day. Bring a valid photo ID each time you visit.

The Transylvania County Register of Deeds page has details on forms, fees, and how to submit your request. Check this page before your visit to save time.

Searching the Death Index

You can search the Transylvania County death index by visiting the office in Brevard. Bring the full name of the deceased and a rough date of death. Staff will look up the record in the index. If it is on file, you can order a copy right then. The whole process takes just a few minutes for most recent deaths.

Mail requests work well for those who live far from Transylvania County. Write out the name of the deceased, date of death, and your relationship to that person. Include a copy of your photo ID, a $10 check or money order payable to the Transylvania County Register of Deeds, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail it to 40 E Main Street, Brevard, NC 28712. The office processes most mail orders within one to two weeks.

Note: The Transylvania County office may also accept requests through the state online ordering system for an extra service fee.

Death Record Access Rules

North Carolina law controls who can get certified death records. Under NCGS 130A-93, only certain family members may request a certified copy from Transylvania County.

• Spouse or child of the deceased
• Parent or sibling of the deceased
• Grandparent or grandchild of the deceased
• Stepparent or stepchild of the deceased
• Attorney or authorized legal agent

The general public can get uncertified copies of death records from Transylvania County. Uncertified copies show the same data but do not have the official seal. They are useful for family research and personal files. The fee stays the same at $10.

North Carolina Death Index Sources

North Carolina Vital Records holds death certificates from 1930 to the present. The state office is in Raleigh. The fee is $24 per three-year search, and processing times exceed 100 business days right now. For Transylvania County deaths, the local Register of Deeds is the faster and more affordable option.

The North Carolina State Archives keeps original death records from 1913 to 1975 and death indexes from 1913 to 1979. For older deaths in Transylvania County, the archives may have what you need. Deaths before 1913 may only exist at the Transylvania County Register of Deeds, since statewide filing began that year. The NC Vital Records research page helps you pick the right source based on the year of death.

Transylvania County Death Records for Genealogy

Death records from Transylvania County provide strong details for family history research. Each record lists the name, age, date of death, place of death, cause of death, and the parents of the deceased. Transylvania County was formed in 1861 from Henderson and Jackson counties. Older records may be filed under those parent counties.

The North Carolina Genealogical Society has a vital records guide for all counties. The NC State Library also offers free guides. The NC Archives Store sells copies of death certificates from 1906 to 1979. These can help fill gaps in the Transylvania County death index for older family lines in the mountains of North Carolina.

Brevard and the surrounding towns in Transylvania County have deep roots in western North Carolina. Families who settled here in the 1800s may have death records scattered across Henderson and Jackson counties before Transylvania was formed. The death index at the Register of Deeds is the best local starting point for any genealogy project in this area.

Transylvania County Death Index Fees

A certified death certificate from Transylvania County costs $10. Each extra copy of the same record also costs $10. This is the standard fee set by North Carolina law for county Register of Deeds offices.

The state office in Raleigh charges $24 per three-year search. That fee covers a broader time range but takes much longer to process. Most people find the Transylvania County office to be the better deal. Payment at the Brevard office can be made by cash, check, or money order. Mail requests must include a check or money order payable to the Transylvania County Register of Deeds.

Note: Fees may change over time, so call the Transylvania County office at (828) 884-3162 to confirm current rates before your visit.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Transylvania County. If the death took place near a county line, the record may have been filed in a different county.