Tyrrell County Death Records

The Tyrrell County death index is kept at the Register of Deeds office in Columbia, North Carolina. You can search for death records by name or date at this office. Tyrrell County is the least populous county in North Carolina, but it still keeps a full set of death records from 1913 forward. Staff can help you find what you need and provide copies. This page covers how to search and request death records from Tyrrell County.

Tyrrell County Death Index Office

The Tyrrell County Register of Deeds holds vital records for the county. The office is at 403 Main Street in Columbia, NC 27925. Call (252) 793-2184 to reach the staff. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Death records are on file from 1913 to the present day at the Tyrrell County office.

When you visit in person, bring a valid photo ID and the full name of the deceased. Staff will search the Tyrrell County death index and pull the record if it exists. A certified copy costs $10. This is far cheaper than the $24 state fee. You get your copy the same day when you go in person. Tyrrell County is a small county, so the office handles requests with little wait time.

The Tyrrell County Register of Deeds also keeps birth and marriage records. All vital record needs can be met in one visit to the Columbia office.

How to Get a Tyrrell County Death Record

You can request a death record from Tyrrell County by visiting the office in Columbia or by sending a letter in the mail. Both methods cost $10 per copy.

For in-person visits, head to 403 Main Street in Columbia. Bring your photo ID and the name of the deceased. An approximate date of death is helpful. Staff will search the Tyrrell County death index and make your copy while you wait. The process is fast and simple.

For mail requests, write out the full name of the deceased, the 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 Tyrrell County Register of Deeds, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail it to 403 Main Street, Columbia, NC 27925. The Tyrrell County office processes most mail requests within one to two weeks.

Who Can Get Death Records

North Carolina law limits who can receive certified death records. Under NCGS 130A-93, the following people can request a certified copy from Tyrrell County: the spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild of the deceased. Stepparents and stepchildren also qualify. Attorneys and legal agents acting for these people can make a request as well. Persons seeking information for legal matters involving personal or property rights also have access.

Uncertified copies are available to anyone. They contain the same details but do not carry the official seal. Many people get uncertified death records from Tyrrell County for family research.

Note: You must prove your relationship to the deceased to get a certified death record from Tyrrell County.

North Carolina Death Index Resources

North Carolina Vital Records has death certificates from 1930 to the present. The state office is in Raleigh at 225 N. McDowell Street. The search fee is $24 per three-year period. Wait times now exceed 100 business days. For Tyrrell County deaths, the local office in Columbia is faster and cheaper.

The North Carolina State Archives holds original death records from 1913 to 1975 and death indexes from 1913 to 1979. These are good tools for older death searches in Tyrrell County. For deaths before 1913, the Tyrrell County Register of Deeds may have local records, since statewide filing did not begin until that year. The NC Vital Records research page helps you choose the right source based on the year of death.

The NC Vital Records contact page has phone numbers and email addresses for the state office if you need more guidance on finding a Tyrrell County death record through state channels.

Tyrrell County Death Index for Family History

Death records are a strong tool for tracing family lines in Tyrrell County. Each record in the death index shows the name, age, date of death, place of death, cause of death, and parents of the deceased. Tyrrell County was formed in 1729 and is one of the oldest counties in North Carolina. Many families have roots here going back to colonial times.

Start your research at the Tyrrell County Register of Deeds for records from 1913 on. For older deaths, check local church and cemetery records. The North Carolina Genealogical Society has a vital records guide covering all counties. The NC State Library offers free research guides as well.

The NC Archives Store sells copies of death certificates from 1906 to 1979. Some delayed death records for Tyrrell County may go as far back as 1909. These help fill in gaps in the death index for early families in this part of eastern North Carolina.

Tyrrell County Death Index Fees

A certified death certificate from Tyrrell County costs $10. This is the standard fee across all North Carolina county offices. Each extra copy of the same death record also costs $10.

The state Vital Records office in Raleigh charges $24 per three-year search period. That is more than double the Tyrrell County rate. Processing at the state level currently runs over 100 business days. For deaths filed locally, the Tyrrell County Register of Deeds in Columbia is faster and costs less. In-person requests at the Columbia office are usually handled the same day.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Tyrrell County in eastern North Carolina. If you are not sure where a death was filed, check the neighboring offices as well.