Death certificates are brought to or sent to the Durham County Health Department from Funeral Directors, Hospitals, and the Medical Examiners Office. The Health Department processes the certificates and forwards them to the Register of Deeds Office.

Fees for Amendments

PROCEDURE FOR GETTING A DEATH CERTIFICATE:

Persons applying for certificates shall make their request via in person or by mail.  If applying in person, an application for the certificate is completed. The completion of this application would include:

Name of the Deceased

Date of Death

Relationship of person requesting the certificate

Applicants name, address, and phone number

Applicant signature is required

Applicant must present a valid State issued ID (Drivers License, State issued Identification card, Military Identification, United States Passport or Consular Identification).   Expired Identification is not accepted.

If applying by mail, customers are required to provide the same information required as if you were applying in person along with a Xerox copy of a State issued ID as listed above.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Anyone can apply and receive uncertified copies of certificates.

COST/FEES:   

The cost for uncertified copies is $.25 per copy

The cost for certified copies is $10.00 per copy

WHO CAN OBTAIN CERTIFEID COPIES OF DEATH CERTIFICATES?

Immediate family (Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, Grandparents, Parents), Legal Guardian, Attorney, Case Manager, Trust Advisors, Informant named on certificate, Funeral Homes, anyone that is named as beneficiary on an insurance policy (proof required).

Fees for Amendments

LOCAL COUNTY PROCESSING:

Local Office processing fee - $10.00

State Processing fee - $15.00 (check/money order)

Certified copy fee - $10.00

EXPEDITE AT LOCAL COUNTY: County will be notified within three days if changes are approved, and documentation is needed if ordered by the court. Customer will receive birth / death certificate from county.

Local Office processing fee - $10.00

State processing fee - $30.00 (check/money order)

Certified copy fee - $10.00

STATE VITAL RECORDS EXPEDITE:

State processing fee - $45.00 – (check/money order) includes processing and certified copy mailed to customer within three

days or a letter is sent explaining why the requested change cannot be completed.

BY APPOINTMENT AT THE STATE OFFICE

State processing fee - $45.00 – check/money order) includes processing and certified copy if correction can be made at the time of the appointment.

 Vital Records Application for Certified Copies