Perquimans County Death Records

Perquimans County death records are stored at the Register of Deeds office in Hertford, North Carolina. The office keeps death certificates along with deeds, vital records, and military discharges. Records go back to 1913, when the state first required formal filing of vital events. You can visit in person or send a request by mail. This page explains how to get Perquimans County death records, what the process looks like, and where to search for older files.

Perquimans County Register of Deeds

The Perquimans County Register of Deeds is at 110 N Church Street, Hertford, NC 27944. The phone number is (252) 426-1500. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The office handles death records, deeds, vital records, military discharges, and marriage licenses.

A certified death certificate from Perquimans County costs $10, which is the standard fee across North Carolina. The certified copy has a raised seal and is accepted by banks, courts, and other agencies. You can also request a non-certified copy for a lower fee. It holds the same facts but does not carry the official seal.

Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Under G.S. 130A-93, the staff must confirm that you have the right to a certified death record before they issue one. The check is simple and quick, but you must have your ID with you.

How to Request Death Records

In-person visits are the fastest way to get a Perquimans County death record. Go to 110 N Church Street in Hertford during business hours. Bring your photo ID and share the full name of the deceased and the date of death with the staff. They will search the files and can often hand you a copy the same day.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send a letter to the Perquimans County Register of Deeds at 110 N Church Street, Hertford, NC 27944. Include the name of the deceased, the date of death, your contact details, and a copy of your photo ID. Add a check or money order for $10 made out to the Register of Deeds. The staff will process your request and mail the copy back.

If you are not sure the record is on file, call (252) 426-1500 first. The staff can check for you and let you know before you visit or mail a request.

Perquimans Death Record Eligibility

North Carolina law limits who can get a certified death certificate. The rules apply in Perquimans County just as they do across the state. Under G.S. 130A-93, close family members have the right to a certified copy. This includes the spouse, a parent, or an adult child of the deceased. Legal agents, attorneys, and funeral directors tied to the case are also eligible.

If you do not fall into one of these groups, you can ask for a non-certified copy. It holds the same facts but lacks the raised seal. Non-certified copies are useful for research, family history, and personal files.

Under G.S. 130A-93.1, each person must show a valid photo ID when requesting a certified death record in Perquimans County.

What Perquimans Death Records Show

A death certificate from Perquimans County lists the full name of the deceased, the date and place of death, and the cause. It shows the age, race, and last known address. Many records also list the names of the parents. The record may note the funeral home and place of burial.

These facts serve a range of needs. Estate cases and insurance claims require a certified copy. Family history researchers use the parent names and other details to trace lines across generations. The non-certified copy from Perquimans County holds all of these same facts at a lower cost.

Other Records at the Office

The Perquimans County Register of Deeds also records military discharges. A discharge record can be useful when a death record does not have all the facts you need. If the deceased served in the military, a discharge record may list their full name, date of birth, and service dates. These details can help confirm a match when searching for a Perquimans County death record.

The office also issues marriage licenses and records deeds. All of these records are housed in the same office in Hertford. The staff can help you with any type of record request. If you need more than one type of record, you can handle everything in a single visit to the Perquimans County Register of Deeds.

Note: Marriage licenses in Perquimans County may require an appointment. Call ahead to confirm if you need one along with a death record.

Historical Death Records

Perquimans County death records start in 1913. For deaths before that year, you may need to use other sources. Church records, family bibles, and old estate papers sometimes note a death. The county has a long history, and records from the 1700s and 1800s can be found in other collections.

The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds many older records from Perquimans County. The archives keep estate papers, church records, and census data that go back well over two hundred years. The staff there can help you search and make sense of what you find.

Under G.S. 130A Article 4, the state oversees the vital records system. Records from before 1913 fall outside that system, but the State Archives works to preserve them so they remain available for research.

State Vital Records Resources

The North Carolina Vital Records office in Raleigh holds death records from all 100 counties. If the Perquimans County office does not have what you need, the state may. You can order through the state ordering page or by mail.

The NC Association of Registers of Deeds keeps a list of all county offices. This is useful if the death took place in a county other than Perquimans. Each county in North Carolina keeps its own set of death records, so you may need to contact more than one office.

Tips for Perquimans Searches

Start with the full name and date of death. These facts help the staff find the record fast. If you only have one, share it along with any other details you know. The place of death or names of close family members can help narrow down the search.

Older Perquimans County death records may list names in ways you do not expect. Spellings can vary, and some records use initials instead of full first names. Try more than one form if your first search comes up empty. The staff at the Register of Deeds can suggest other ways to search.

If you plan to visit Hertford, call ahead to confirm office hours. The Perquimans County Register of Deeds is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, but hours may change on holidays.