Buncombe County Death Certificate Access
Buncombe County death records are managed by the Register of Deeds office in Asheville, North Carolina. The office provides death certificates to eligible requesters through several methods. You can visit in person, order online through the Permitium portal, or send a request by mail. The Buncombe County Register of Deeds accepts many forms of payment and has a helpful staff ready to assist with your request. Death records are a vital part of the county's public record system.
Buncombe County Register of Deeds
The Buncombe County Register of Deeds is at 205 College Street in Asheville, NC 28801. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff there handle death certificates, birth records, and marriage licenses for the county.
You can reach the office by phone at 828-250-4300. The fax number is 828-250-4333. There is also a help desk line at 828-250-4303. Spanish-speaking callers can use 828-250-4307. The staff can tell you what records are on file and how to request them.
Visit the Buncombe County death certificates page for full details on the process.
This page outlines the steps to get a death certificate from the Buncombe County office.
| Office |
Buncombe County Register of Deeds 205 College Street Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: 828-250-4300 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fax | 828-250-4333 |
Get Buncombe County Death Records in Person
Visiting the Buncombe County Register of Deeds is the fastest way to get a death certificate. Go to 205 College Street in Asheville during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff will search for the record you need.
A certified death certificate costs $10.00. A non-certified copy costs $0.25. The Buncombe County office accepts credit cards, debit cards, personal checks, money orders, and cash. This range of payment options makes it easy to pay however works best for you. Once the staff finds the record, you pay and receive your copy the same day.
Under G.S. 130A-93.1, you must show a photo ID and state your connection to the deceased. The staff will ask you to fill out a short form with this information. This applies to all Buncombe County death record requests for certified copies.
Note: The non-certified copy at $0.25 is a good choice for genealogy work or personal records.
Order Buncombe County Death Certificates Online
Buncombe County offers online ordering through the Permitium vital records portal. This system lets you request a death certificate from any location. You do not need to visit the office or send a letter.
To use the online system, go to vitalrecords.buncombecounty.org. The site walks you through the steps. You enter the name of the deceased, the date of death, your own details, and your payment information. A credit or debit card is needed for online orders.
Visit the Buncombe County online vital records portal to start your request.
The Permitium portal is the online gateway for Buncombe County vital records including death certificates.
Online orders are processed by the Buncombe County staff and mailed to you. Processing times vary, but most orders ship within a few business days. This method is a good fit for people who live far from Asheville or cannot visit during office hours.
Buncombe County Death Records by Mail
Mail requests are another option for getting a death certificate from Buncombe County. Send your request to the Register of Deeds at 205 College Street, Asheville, NC 28801. Include the name of the deceased, the date of death, and your own name and address.
You must also include a copy of your valid photo ID. This is required under G.S. 130A-93.1 for all certified copy requests. For payment, send a check or money order made out to the Buncombe County Register of Deeds. The office also has a request form you can download and fill out to make sure you include all the needed details.
Allow extra time for mail delivery both ways. The office will process your request once they have everything they need. If something is missing, they will contact you before sending the Buncombe County death record.
Who Can Get Buncombe County Death Certificates
State law limits who may receive a certified death certificate. This applies to Buncombe County just as it does to every county in North Carolina. Under G.S. 130A-93, the Register of Deeds can only issue certified copies to certain people.
Eligible requesters for a Buncombe County certified death record include:
- The surviving spouse
- A parent or adult child of the deceased
- The personal representative or executor of the estate
- A legal guardian
- An attorney for an eligible party
Non-certified copies are available to anyone. They cost just $0.25 at the Buncombe County office. These copies contain the same information as a certified copy. They simply do not have the raised seal. Many researchers and family members use non-certified copies for their needs.
North Carolina Vital Records and Buncombe County
The North Carolina Division of Public Health keeps copies of all death records filed in the state. If you cannot find a Buncombe County death record at the local office, the state may have it. The state vital records office is in Raleigh. You can order from them at vitalrecords.nc.gov.
The state also provides forms for mail requests at their forms page. Fees at the state office may be different from the Buncombe County rates. The North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds directory lists all county offices with their contact details and websites.
For older records, the North Carolina State Archives is a key resource. The archives hold historical vital records from across the state. Researchers looking for Buncombe County death records from the early 1900s or before should check the archives. Under G.S. 130A-26A, the state registrar and county offices work together to preserve all vital records.
Note: The state archives may hold Buncombe County death records that are no longer available at the county office due to their age.
Correcting Buncombe County Death Records
Errors on a death certificate can be corrected. The Buncombe County Register of Deeds handles requests for changes to death records. Small errors, like a misspelled name or wrong date, can often be fixed with a form and supporting proof.
Larger changes may need a court order. The rules for amending death records in North Carolina come from G.S. 130A Article 4. The Buncombe County staff can tell you which process applies to your situation. There is a fee for all corrections. Call 828-250-4300 to learn more about the steps and costs involved in fixing a Buncombe County death record.