Find Alamance County Death Records
Alamance County death records are kept by the Register of Deeds in Graham, North Carolina. The office holds death certificates for events that took place in Alamance County from 1913 to the present. You can get copies in person, by mail, or through an online portal. The Register of Deeds staff can help you find the right death record and walk you through the steps to get a certified or uncertified copy. This guide covers how to search for and obtain Alamance County death records, what forms of payment are accepted, and where to look for older records.
Alamance County Register of Deeds
The Alamance County Register of Deeds is the main office for death records in the county. David Barber serves as the Register of Deeds. The office is at 118 West Harden Street in Graham, NC 27253. You can also send mail to P.O. Box 837, Graham, NC 27253. Call (336) 570-6565 for questions about Alamance County death records or other vital records.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Recording hours end at 4:30 PM. If you plan to visit in person, arrive well before closing time. Funeral homes that need five or more different death certificates at one time must be in the office by 3:30 PM. This rule helps the staff process large orders before the end of the day. Walk-in visits are the fastest way to get Alamance County death records if you live nearby.
The Alamance County Register of Deeds website has details on all services the office provides. You can find forms, hours, and contact information there.
The office handles death records along with birth certificates, marriage licenses, and property records. Staff members are trained to help you find what you need.
Alamance County Death Certificate Requests
There are three ways to get a death certificate from Alamance County. You can visit the office in Graham, send a request by mail, or order online. Each method has its own steps and requirements. The cost and time to get your record will vary based on which option you choose.
For in-person requests, go to 118 West Harden Street in Graham. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can search for the death record while you wait. You will pay the fee at the counter and get your copy the same day in most cases. This is the quickest way to get Alamance County death records. Under G.S. 130A-93, only certain people can get a certified copy of a death certificate. These include the next of kin, a legal representative, or someone with a court order.
For mail requests, send a letter to P.O. Box 837, Graham, NC 27253. Include the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the place of death if known. You must also include a copy of your photo ID, your relationship to the deceased, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payment must be by money order or bank check. Personal checks and cash are not accepted by mail for Alamance County death records.
Note: Always include a self-addressed stamped envelope with mail requests to the Alamance County Register of Deeds.
Order Alamance County Death Records Online
The Alamance County online ordering portal lets you request death certificates from home. The system is run through Permitium and is available around the clock. You will need to create an account, fill out the request form, and upload a copy of your ID. Processing times may vary, but most orders ship within a few business days.
You can view the Alamance County vital records page for more details on what is available online. The site lists the types of records you can order and any extra forms you may need to fill out.
Online ordering is a good choice if you cannot visit the office in person. It saves a trip to Graham and lets you track your order status. The fee for a certified copy of an Alamance County death record is the same whether you order online or in person.
Alamance County Death Record Fees
Each certified copy of a death certificate from Alamance County costs $10.00. This fee is set by state law under G.S. 130A-93.1. Payment by mail must be made with a money order or bank check. In person, more payment types may be accepted. Call the office at (336) 570-6565 to confirm what they take at the counter.
Uncertified copies of Alamance County death records cost $1.00 each. An uncertified copy shows the same information but does not carry the official seal. It works for personal use or research but is not valid for legal purposes. If you need to prove a death for an insurance claim or estate matter, you will need a certified copy from Alamance County.
Note: Fees for Alamance County death records may change, so confirm the current amount before you send payment.
Alamance County Death Records Vital Records Office
The vital records section of the Alamance County Register of Deeds handles all birth and death certificate requests. The staff processes hundreds of requests each year. They can search records dating back to October 1913, when North Carolina began requiring the registration of deaths under G.S. 130A, Article 4, the Vital Statistics Act.
The vital records page on the Alamance County website explains what documents you need to bring and how to fill out the request form. It also covers who is eligible to receive a certified death certificate.
If a death occurred in Alamance County but you are not sure of the exact date, the staff can search a range of years for you. Provide as much detail as you can to help them find the right record. The full name of the deceased and an approximate year of death are the most helpful pieces of information.
Who Can Get Alamance County Death Certificates
North Carolina law limits who can receive a certified death certificate. Under G.S. 130A-93, the following people may request a certified copy of a death record from Alamance County:
- The spouse or parent of the deceased
- An adult child or sibling of the deceased
- A legal guardian or court-appointed representative
- An attorney acting on behalf of an eligible party
- A funeral director handling the arrangements
Anyone who does not fall into these groups may still get an uncertified copy for $1.00. Uncertified copies are useful for family history research or personal records. They contain the same data but lack the raised seal. Making a false statement to obtain a certified copy of an Alamance County death record is a felony under G.S. 130A-26A.
State Resources for Death Records
If you cannot find what you need at the county level, the North Carolina Vital Records office in Raleigh may be able to help. They hold copies of death records from across the state. You can order copies through their online ordering page or by mail. The state office charges its own fees, which are listed on the fee schedule page.
The North Carolina State Archives is a good resource for older death records. They hold historical vital records and can help with genealogy research. For deaths that required investigation, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner may have additional records. The NC Association of Registers of Deeds has a directory of all county offices if you need to contact a different county.
Historical Death Records in Alamance County
Alamance County death records begin in October 1913. Before that date, North Carolina did not require death registration at the state level. If you are looking for a death that occurred before 1913 in Alamance County, you may need to check other sources. Church records, family bibles, cemetery records, and newspaper obituaries can all provide clues about deaths in the area.
The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds some pre-1913 records. These include church registers, county court minutes, and estate files that may mention deaths in Alamance County. Genealogy websites and local historical societies can also point you in the right direction. The Alamance County Historical Museum in Burlington is another place to look for information about deaths in the county before state registration began. You can also check the NC Vital Records forms page for applications that may help with your search.
Note: Deaths before October 1913 in Alamance County were not recorded by the state, so alternative sources are needed for that period.