Northampton County Death Records

Northampton County death records are held by the Virginia Department of Health and issued through the state's Office of Vital Records. Located on the southern portion of the Eastern Shore peninsula, Northampton County borders Accomack County to the north and is served by the Eastern Shore Health District. The Northampton County Circuit Court in Eastville maintains court-related records including estate and probate filings. This page covers what you need to know to request death records and certificates for deaths that occurred in Northampton County.

Northampton County Circuit Court

Northampton County is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The Circuit Court is located at 5229 The Hornes in Eastville. Hon. Johnson serves as the Clerk of Court. The clerk's office keeps civil case files, land records, and probate filings. If a death in Northampton County led to an estate proceeding, that case file is at this courthouse. You can call the clerk or visit in person to ask about a specific matter.

Probate filings often include a certified copy of the death certificate as part of the record. If you need to verify a death occurred or want to find out if an estate was opened, this is where to look. The clerk's office hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The email for the clerk is listed as ccc_northampton@vacourts.gov based on the court's contact information.

The Northampton County Circuit Court in Eastville handles probate and estate cases connected to death records for the county's residents.

Case lookup for Northampton County is available through the Virginia Judicial System, which provides clerk contact information and local court policies.

Note: Court records and certified death certificates are two separate things. The clerk handles court filings. Official death certificates come from the Virginia Office of Vital Records in Richmond.

Eastern Shore Health District

The Eastern Shore Health District serves Northampton and Accomack Counties on Virginia's Eastern Shore. The district's mission is to prevent illness and disease, protect the environment, and promote health and emergency readiness for everyone on the Eastern Shore. The district operates offices in Nassawadox and Accomac.

The Eastern Shore Health District supports the death registration process in Northampton County. Local physicians, funeral homes, and medical examiners file death records through VDH, and district staff help coordinate that process. While the district itself does not issue certified death certificates, it can help you understand how the registration system works and where to go for copies.

Visit the district online at vdh.virginia.gov/eastern-shore for service locations and contact details. The district's Nassawadox office serves Northampton County residents directly.

Requesting Northampton County Death Records

Certified death certificates for Northampton County are issued by the Virginia Office of Vital Records. You can apply three ways: online through the OVR portal, by mail to the Richmond office, or in person at the Richmond walk-in office. The state maintains death records from 1912 forward in its central registry.

The Online Vital Records Portal is the easiest way to apply. Fill out the form, pay by credit card, and track your request status by email or text. Online applications process in about 5 business days. The applications page at vdh.virginia.gov has a button to launch the form and describes what you need to have ready before you start.

Mail requests go to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Enclose your signed application, a check or money order payable to "State Health Department" for $12.00 per certificate, and copies of your ID. Mail takes about 8 business days from the date the office receives your package. Don't send original documents.

Walk-in service is at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Same-day service is available for walk-in customers. Since Northampton County is a long drive from Richmond, the online option or mail may be more practical for most people. VitalChek express delivery is an option if you need the record shipped fast after it is processed. You can also check for any regional walk-in locations closer to the Eastern Shore.

Who Can Get a Death Certificate

Virginia death records are restricted for 25 years from the date of death. After that, anyone can request a copy. During the restricted period, only immediate family and other qualified parties can get a certified copy.

Eligible requesters include the spouse, parent, child, sibling, and grandparent of the deceased. Legal representatives managing an estate, attorneys with authorization, and others with a verified need may also qualify. You will need to state your relationship when you apply and provide proof if asked.

All requests require valid photo ID. Check the VDH ID requirements page for a full list of accepted documents. A current driver's license or state ID is usually enough. If you have questions about whether you qualify to request a specific record, the VDH FAQ covers eligibility questions in plain language.

Fees and Processing Times

Each certified death certificate costs $12.00. That fee applies to the search, not just to found records. If no record is found, you do not get a refund. Amendments to existing records cost $10.00. A corrected copy after an amendment is $22.00 total.

Online applications take about 5 business days. Mail takes 8 business days from receipt. Walk-in service can be same day. Express delivery through VitalChek ships your record faster once it is processed. Call the main VDH line at (804) 662-6200 if you need help with payment or to check on an order.

You can pay online by credit card. For mail requests, use a check or money order made out to "State Health Department." Cash is accepted for walk-in visits. Cards and mobile pay are also accepted at the Richmond office.

Historical Death Records in Northampton County

Northampton County has a long recorded history, and older death records require looking in different places. The Library of Virginia holds Virginia death records on microfilm from 1853 to 1896. State registration lapsed from 1896 to 1912, so records from that period are inconsistent. From 1912 onward, records are held by the Office of Vital Records.

For genealogy work involving Northampton County, the VDH genealogy guide at vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/genealogy explains how to access older records. The Library of Virginia's digital collections and indexes are also useful. Northampton County is one of Virginia's original eight shires, so its records go back centuries. Early church and county records at the circuit court complement official vital records for deep genealogy research.

Nearby Counties

Accomack County is the only Virginia county that borders Northampton County by land. Other nearby jurisdictions require crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.