Death Records in New Kent County
New Kent County death records are maintained by the Virginia Department of Health and issued through the state's Office of Vital Records in Richmond. The New Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's office handles court-related matters including probate, wills, and estate cases tied to recent deaths. The Chickahominy Health District serves New Kent County residents for local public health needs. Whether you need a certified death certificate or are researching a family member's death record, this page covers your options in New Kent County.
New Kent County Overview
New Kent County Circuit Court
New Kent County is served by the 9th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The Circuit Court Clerk's office is located at 12001 Courthouse Circle in New Kent. The clerk handles civil and criminal filings, land records, and probate cases. When a death results in an estate proceeding, that case is filed here and becomes part of the public record.
Probate records tied to New Kent County deaths can include a copy of the death certificate as part of the estate file. If you need to find out whether probate was opened for someone who died in the county, you can call the clerk's office or search online through the Virginia court case portal. The clerk can also tell you what records are available and how to get copies.
| Office | New Kent County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Hon. Crump |
| Address | P.O. Box 98 12001 Courthouse Circle New Kent, VA 23124 |
| Phone | (804) 966-9520 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Circuit Court Info | vacourts.gov - New Kent Circuit Court |
The statewide Virginia circuit court directory lists contact details for all 120+ circuit courts in the state. Use it to confirm hours or look for clerk contact information before you visit in person.
The New Kent County Circuit Court at 12001 Courthouse Circle handles probate and estate matters involving death records for New Kent County residents.
Case information for New Kent County is searchable through the Virginia Judicial System website, which links to local court policies and clerk details.
Chickahominy Health District
New Kent County falls within the Chickahominy Health District, a local health district under the Virginia Department of Health. The district's mission is to improve community health by preventing disease, promoting healthy lifestyles, and protecting residents from environmental hazards. It serves the area with health departments and community services.
The Chickahominy Health District does not issue certified death certificates. That function belongs to the Virginia Office of Vital Records in Richmond. However, local health district offices can answer questions about public health services, environmental health concerns, and how the death registration process works in Virginia. If you are not sure where to start, the district can point you in the right direction.
Visit the district's website at vdh.virginia.gov/Chickahominy for contact information and a full list of services. The VDH health department locator tool can help you find the nearest office if you want to speak with someone in person.
How to Get a New Kent County Death Certificate
Certified death certificates for deaths that occurred in New Kent County are issued by the Virginia Office of Vital Records. This is the main state office for all vital record requests. You can apply online, by mail, or by visiting the Richmond office in person. The state keeps death records from 1912 onward in a central registry.
The fastest way to apply is through the Online Vital Records (OVR) Portal. You fill out the form, submit payment by credit card, and get updates by email and text. Processing takes about 5 business days for online requests. The application page at vdh.virginia.gov has a link to start the online form and explains what information you need to have ready.
Mail requests go to the Office of Vital Records at P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Mail takes about 8 business days from receipt. Include your completed application, a check or money order made payable to "State Health Department," and copies of any required ID. Do not send original documents by mail.
Walk-in service is available at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Same-day processing is available at the walk-in office. If you need express delivery after the record is processed, VitalChek can ship it quickly. Regional walk-in locations are also listed at vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/vital-record-walk-in-locations.
Eligibility for New Kent County Death Certificates
Death records in Virginia are restricted for 25 years from the date of death. During that period, only specific people can request a certified copy. After 25 years, the records are open to anyone.
Qualified requesters include the spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent of the person who died. Legal representatives, attorneys managing an estate, and others with a verifiable legal need may also qualify. You have to show your relationship when you apply. If you are applying on behalf of a business or institution, you need written authorization from the family or the estate.
You need valid photo ID. The VDH ID requirements page lists accepted forms. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport works in most cases. If your primary ID lacks a current address, add a secondary document. Check the ID requirements page before you apply so your request goes through without delay.
The VDH FAQ answers questions about what happens if no record is found, how to handle corrections, and other common issues. Read it before you call, since many questions are already covered there.
Fees and Processing for Death Certificates
The cost is $12.00 per certificate. This fee applies even if no record is found. There are no refunds for an unsuccessful search. To amend an existing record, the fee is $10.00. If you want a corrected copy after the amendment is done, the total is $22.00.
Online processing is about 5 business days. Mail takes 8 business days from receipt. Walk-in can be same-day. Express delivery through VitalChek costs extra but speeds up shipping. Call (804) 662-6200 if you have questions about payment or timing.
Note: All fees are set by the Code of Virginia and apply equally across the state. New Kent County death records cost the same as any other county.
Historical Records in New Kent County
Older death records for New Kent County are available through the Library of Virginia. The library holds Virginia death records on microfilm for the period 1853 to 1896. There is a gap in the state registration system from 1896 to 1912. Records from 1912 forward are at the Office of Vital Records.
For genealogy research, the VDH maintains a guide at vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/genealogy that explains how to access older records now available to the public. The Library of Virginia's online catalog and digital collections are the best place to start for pre-1912 records. Some New Kent County records are indexed online, while others require a microfilm visit or a research request.
Local resources like deed books, church registers, and early county records at the circuit court can also fill in gaps. These older records may contain death and burial information for residents of New Kent County going back to the colonial period. The circuit court clerk's office can tell you what historical records they have on site.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near New Kent County. Each handles death records for deaths that occurred within its own borders through the Virginia Office of Vital Records.