Guilford County Death Certificate Search

Guilford County death records are on file at the Register of Deeds, which has two office locations in Greensboro and High Point. Death records in Guilford County go back to September 1911. The county is one of the most populated in the state, so the office handles a high volume of requests. This page covers the steps for getting Guilford County death records, the fees involved, eligibility rules, and how to find older vital records that may be stored elsewhere.

Guilford County Register of Deeds Offices

Guilford County has two Register of Deeds locations. The main office is at 201 W. Market St., 1st Floor, Greensboro, NC 27401. You can reach this office at (336) 641-7730. The second office is at 325 E. Russell Ave., Room 155, High Point, NC 27260, with a phone number of (336) 641-7556. Both offices handle death certificate requests for Guilford County.

You can also reach the office by email at guilforddeeds@guilfordcountync.gov. Email is a good way to ask questions about the process before you visit or mail a request. However, you cannot order a death certificate by email alone. You will need to submit a formal request through one of the accepted methods.

The Guilford County death certificates page has the full details on how to request a copy, what documents you need, and how to pay.

This page is the best starting point for any Guilford County death record request.

Death registrations in Guilford County are also filed through the Health Department. You can call (336) 641-3160 for questions about recent death registrations.

How to Get Guilford County Death Records

In-person visits are the fastest option. Go to either Guilford County office with your ID and the details of the record you need. Staff will search the files. Most in-person requests are handled the same day. Photocopies for genealogy research cost $0.05 per page when you visit in person.

Mail requests work too. Send a letter with the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and your relationship to that person. Certified copies cost $10 each. Uncertified copies are $1 per page by mail. Include a check or money order made out to Guilford County Register of Deeds. Requests are typically processed within three working days.

The Guilford County vital records page provides additional details on request methods and payment options.

Review this page before you submit your request to make sure you have everything ready.

Note: Guilford County death records only cover deaths that occurred within county boundaries.

Guilford County Death Certificate Eligibility

North Carolina law limits who can receive a certified death certificate. Under G.S. 130A-93, and specifically G.S. 130A-93(c) as cited by the Guilford County office, only certain people may get a certified copy. The rules exist to protect the privacy of vital records.

Eligible parties include the surviving spouse, a parent or adult child, a sibling, a legal representative with court papers, or an attorney acting on behalf of an eligible person. Funeral directors involved in the case may also request copies for Guilford County death records.

If you are not eligible for a certified copy, you can still request an uncertified version. Uncertified copies show the same information but do not carry the official seal. They work for family history research. Under G.S. 130A-26A, it is against the law to give false information on a vital records application in Guilford County or anywhere in the state.

Guilford County Death Records Fees

Certified copies cost $10 each. Uncertified copies cost $1 per page by mail and $0.05 per page in person. These rates apply to Guilford County death records and other vital records on file at the office.

Amendments to a death certificate cost $10 by cash or check, plus a $15 state money order. If you need to correct an error on a Guilford County death record, contact the office for the full amendment process and paperwork.

The county also offers free services in some cases. There is no charge for the first certified birth certificate for people age 62 and older. For death records, standard fees apply regardless of age. The NC Vital Records fee schedule lists the full state rates that Guilford County follows.

Historical Death Records in Guilford County

Guilford County death records go back to September 1911. That makes the county's collection older than many others in the state, since most counties only have records from 1913. The early start gives Guilford County a small edge for historical research.

For deaths before 1911, you will need to look elsewhere. Church records, cemetery logs, family bibles, and newspaper obituaries are all good sources. The North Carolina State Archives holds historical documents from Guilford County that can help with older searches. Probate records, court files, and other papers may contain references to deaths that predate the formal registration system.

Under G.S. 130A Article 4, the state governs all aspects of vital records in North Carolina. Guilford County must follow these rules when filing, storing, and sharing death certificates. The law also covers the process for correcting errors on a record, which is important for both new and old documents.

Note: Genealogy research photocopies at the Guilford County office cost just $0.05 per page, making in-person visits very affordable for family history work.

State Resources for Guilford County

The North Carolina Vital Records office in Raleigh is a strong backup for Guilford County requests. They hold death records from every county in the state. Use their online ordering page to submit a request from home.

The NC Association of Registers of Deeds has a directory of all county offices. If the death did not happen in Guilford County, use this directory to find the right county office. Each county in North Carolina keeps only its own death records.

Under G.S. 130A-93.1, some older vital records move to public access after a set time period. Ask the Guilford County office or the state office about the current rules for accessing older death records. If a record has reached public status, anyone can view it without proving a relationship to the deceased.

For forms and applications, visit the NC Vital Records forms page. These forms are accepted at both the state and county levels for Guilford County death record requests.