Augusta County Death Index

The Augusta County death index connects researchers to death records from one of Virginia's largest and oldest Shenandoah Valley counties, covering records from the 1853 registration period through current certificates held by the state. You can search the index through online genealogical databases, visit the Circuit Court Clerk in Staunton, or order certified copies from the Virginia Department of Health. Augusta County's records are extensive, with some dating to the early 18th century, making it a rich source for genealogical death research in western Virginia.

Augusta County Circuit Court

The Augusta County Circuit Court is based in Staunton. The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains land records, wills, probate filings, and marriage licenses going back to the early 18th century. These older court records are among the best sources for deaths in Augusta County before 1853, when no formal death registration system existed. The OCIS statewide case search provides free online access to circuit court case records for more recent probate and estate matters.

Augusta County is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit, which also includes the independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro. These two cities are surrounded by Augusta County geographically but maintain their own court systems and vital records. When a death occurred near the city limits, it may be recorded in city records rather than Augusta County records. Researchers working in the Staunton or Waynesboro area should check both the county and city records to make sure they cover all possibilities.

Obtaining Augusta County Death Certificates

The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records holds death certificates for Augusta County from June 1912 to the present. The state office is at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Online applications are available through the VDH website. Each certified copy costs $12, payable by check to State Health Department, money order, credit card, mobile pay, or cash.

Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, death records are restricted for 25 years after the event. Only the spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent of the deceased may request copies within that window, with valid photo ID. After 25 years the records become public. For online ordering, VitalChek is the authorized third-party provider, adding a processing fee on top of the $12 state fee. A local VDH health district office in the Staunton area may also provide vital records services more conveniently for Augusta County residents.

Virginia DMV full-service locations issue certified death certificates as well, for a $14 total fee. This option can work well for Augusta County residents who prefer not to make a special trip to Richmond or a distant health district office.

Augusta County Death Index: Historical Records

Augusta County death registers from the 1853 to 1896 period are held on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Virginia law required annual death registration from 1853, and Augusta County's registers from that period capture cause of death, age, race, sex, occupation, place of birth, marital status, and names of parents. Augusta County is one of the most historically significant counties in Virginia for genealogical research, and its registers from the registration period reflect a large and diverse population.

No official deaths were recorded in Augusta County from 1897 to 1912. For deaths during those years, probate files at the Circuit Court, church records, and cemetery surveys are the best alternatives. Augusta County has a large number of old churches with independent records that can fill gaps left by the official registration system. The Virginia Genealogical Society sponsors a death index for the 1853-1896 period available through the Library of Virginia. The Library also holds a death index running through 1954 that covers Augusta County and can provide a certificate number before you request the full document from VDH.

The Ancestry for Virginians program gives Virginia residents free access to Virginia death records through a library card. FamilySearch provides free access to Virginia Deaths and Burials 1853-1912 and the Virginia death records research guide explains how to use those databases for Augusta County searches. For pre-1853 deaths, the Circuit Court's historical probate and land records going back to 1738 are the primary source. Federal mortality census schedules from 1850 to 1880 are held at the Library of Virginia and list Augusta County residents who died in the twelve months before each census. These schedules include name, age, sex, occupation, and cause of death and are one of the most useful tools for documenting deaths before official registration and during the 1897-1912 gap period.

Cities Near Augusta County

Staunton and Waynesboro are independent cities located within the Augusta County area. Both have their own court systems and vital records offices.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Augusta County in the Shenandoah Valley region and have their own Circuit Courts and VDH resources.