Washington County Death Certificate Search
Washington County death records are held at the Register of Deeds office in Plymouth, North Carolina. The office has birth and death records from 1913, with some delayed birth records from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Washington County was formed from Tyrrell County in 1799, and all transactions on file go back to that year. This page explains how to find and request Washington County death records.
Washington County Register of Deeds
The Washington County Register of Deeds is Timothy J. Esolen. The office is at 120 Adams Street, Plymouth, NC 27962. The mailing address is PO Box 1007, Plymouth, NC 27962. You can call at 252-793-2325. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Brianne Sawyer is the assistant in the office.
The Register of Deeds is an elected office with a four-year term. The office holds death records, birth records, marriage licenses, and land documents for Washington County. Land records go back to 1799. Marriage records start from 1851, with licenses from 1881. Birth and death records are on file from 1913, plus some delayed birth records from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Visit the Washington County Register of Deeds page for office details and contact information.
The page lists the services the office provides and how to reach the staff for Washington County death records.
How to Get Washington County Death Records
You can request Washington County death records in person or by mail. In person, go to 120 Adams Street in Plymouth. Bring a valid photo ID and the name and date of death of the person whose record you need. The staff will search the files. If the record is there, you can get a copy the same day.
By mail, send a letter to PO Box 1007, Plymouth, NC 27962. Include the name of the deceased, the date of death, your link to the person, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order for the fee. The office will process your request and mail the copy to you.
You can also order from the NC Vital Records ordering page for statewide requests. This is a good option if you are not sure which county the death took place in.
Washington County Death Record Fees
A certified copy of a Washington County death certificate costs $10. An uncertified copy costs $0.25. The certified version has the raised seal and works for legal purposes. The uncertified version shows the same facts and works well for family research.
The NC Vital Records fee schedule has all rates. Washington County follows the state fee schedule for its death records and other vital documents. Payment is by check, money order, or cash for in-person visits.
Note: If you need more than one copy, ask the staff about the cost for each extra copy.
Eligibility for Washington Death Records
Under G.S. 130A-93, only certain people can get a certified death certificate. This applies in Washington County and across North Carolina. Close family members, legal agents, and funeral directors are among those who qualify for a certified copy.
Eligible people include:
- The surviving spouse
- A parent or adult child
- A sibling of the deceased
- A legal representative with court papers
- An attorney acting for an eligible party
- A funeral director who handled the case
Anyone else can get an uncertified copy. Uncertified copies are open to the public. Under G.S. 130A-26A, providing false information on a vital records request is a felony in North Carolina.
Historical Washington County Death Records
Washington County was formed from Tyrrell County in 1799. The Register of Deeds holds records going all the way back to that year. Death certificates start from 1913, when the state began its formal vital records system. Land records go back to 1799. Marriage records start from 1851.
Some delayed birth records from the late 1800s and early 1900s are also on file. While these are not death records, they can help with family research by confirming the birth of a person whose death record you are looking for.
The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh may hold older Washington County records. Court files, estate papers, and wills from the 1800s can note a death. Church records and cemetery logs from the Plymouth area are also useful for the years before 1913.
Under G.S. 130A-93.1, some older vital records become open to the public after a set number of years. Ask the Washington County staff if the record you need has reached public status.
State Resources for Washington County
The North Carolina Vital Records office in Raleigh holds death records from all 100 counties. If the Washington County office does not have what you need, the state office is a good next step. You can order from the state or by mail.
Under G.S. 130A Article 4, the state governs how all vital records are created, filed, and shared. Washington County follows these rules for every death certificate on file. The law also covers how to fix errors on a death certificate. If you find a mistake on a Washington County death record, contact the office about the amendment process.
The NC Association of Registers of Deeds has a list of all county offices. Use it to find the right office if the death did not take place in Washington County. Each county only holds records for deaths within its borders.
Tips for Washington County Death Searches
Have the full name and date of death ready before you contact the Washington County office. These two facts make any search go faster. If you do not know the exact date, give the staff a range of years. Even a rough time frame helps narrow the results.
If you plan to visit, call ahead at 252-793-2325 to confirm hours. Plymouth is a small town and the office may have adjusted hours on holidays or during storms. The staff can also check over the phone if a Washington County death record is on file, which could save you a trip.
For broader family research, ask about other records at the same office. Land records go back to 1799, and marriage records start from 1851. These can add context to your findings and help you build a fuller picture of a family's history in Washington County. The delayed birth records from the late 1800s and early 1900s may also help confirm the identity of someone whose death record you are looking for.