Search Amherst County Obituary Records
Amherst County obituary records and death certificates can be found through the Circuit Court Clerk in Amherst, the Central Virginia Health District, and the Virginia Department of Health in Richmond. Amherst County sits adjacent to the City of Lynchburg, so some residents may have death records filed through Lynchburg city offices rather than the county. This page covers all the main sources for Amherst County death records and how to request copies.
Amherst County Overview
Amherst County Circuit Court Clerk
The Amherst County Circuit Court Clerk maintains probate records, will books, deed books, marriage records, and historical court files going back to the county's formation. For death record research before 1912, the probate files are the most useful source. Will books record the name and date of death of the testator, and estate inventories list heirs and assets. These records often contain more detail than the death registers.
Virginia's 1853 death registration law required local registration through the county court system. Death registers from 1853 to 1896 for Amherst County are on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. These registers record name, race, sex, date and place of death, cause of death, age, and birthplace. There was no statewide registration from 1897 to 1911. Beginning June 14, 1912, the VDH Office of Vital Records holds the official death certificates.
The Amherst County Circuit Court is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit, which also includes the cities of Lynchburg and Bedford. The Lynchburg Circuit Court is a separate office and holds records for deaths occurring within the independent city, not within Amherst County proper.
| Office | Amherst County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 113 Taylor Street, Amherst, VA 24521 |
| Phone | (434) 946-9321 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | countyofamherst.com |
Amherst County Death Certificates
Certified death certificates for deaths in Amherst County from June 14, 1912 to the present are available through the Virginia Department of Health. The fee is $12 per copy under Code of Virginia Title 32.1, Chapter 7. Deaths within the past 25 years are restricted to immediate family. Deaths older than 25 years are open to the public.
The Central Virginia Health District serves Amherst County alongside Lynchburg and several surrounding counties. Local health department offices can issue certified death certificates for deaths in their district. The Amherst County Health Department is located in Amherst. Call (434) 946-9375 to confirm current hours and services.
The VDH state office at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227 accepts walk-ins Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Phone: (804) 662-6200. Online orders are accepted through the portal at vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records.
The VDH vital records portal is the main way to order certified Amherst County death certificates by mail or online.
The portal shows current processing times, the $12 fee per copy, and accepted payment methods for Amherst County death certificate requests.
Amherst Obituary and Death Record History
The Library of Virginia holds the main historical collections for Amherst County death research. Death registers from 1853 to 1896 are on microfilm and can be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan. Death certificates on microfilm from 1912 to 1939 are also available at the Library. The LVA death records page at lva-virginia.libguides.com/bmd/death gives a full overview of available collections.
The Henley Marriage and Obituary Index at the Library of Virginia covers Virginia newspaper obituaries from 1736 through 1982. Amherst County papers and Lynchburg-area newspapers are included in this index. The Lynchburg area has a long newspaper history, and many Amherst County deaths appeared as obituary notices in Lynchburg papers going back to the 1800s. Searching the index through the Library of Virginia's online catalog can turn up notices that don't appear in official records.
The Jones Memorial Library in Lynchburg maintains an extensive genealogy collection for Central Virginia including Amherst County. The library holds local newspaper archives, Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest, and family history files. Since many Amherst County residents had connections to Lynchburg, this library is a good stop for obituary research. The library is at 434 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24504.
Find It Virginia provides free access to Ancestry.com's Virginia death records database, including Amherst County death records from 1912 to the present.
With a Virginia public library card, you can search and download digital copies of Amherst County death certificates at no cost through the Find It Virginia program.
Search Amherst Death Records Online
Find It Virginia at finditva.com provides free access to Virginia death records from 1912 to the present through Ancestry.com. You need a Virginia library card. You can search and download digital images of death certificates at no charge. This is the easiest way to search Amherst County death records from home.
The Virginia Genealogy website at virginiagenealogy.org/obits lists statewide obituary resources including newspaper indexes, funeral home databases, and regional collections. Obituary notices from Amherst County papers and Lynchburg area newspapers may appear in these aggregated collections. The J.F. Bell Funeral Home Database, which covers central Virginia since 1917, is also linked from this page.
Under FOIA Section 2.2-3700, death records older than 25 years are public records. Any person can request them. Newer records require proof of immediate family relationship. If a request is denied without cause, the Freedom of Information Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810 can assist.
The Virginia Museum of History and Culture at virginiahistory.org holds family papers, Bible records, and manuscripts that may include Amherst County death information. Staff can assist with research requests.
Cities Near Amherst County
The City of Lynchburg borders Amherst County to the south. Lynchburg is an independent city with its own circuit court and health department. Deaths occurring in Lynchburg are handled by Lynchburg city offices, not the Amherst County Circuit Court.
Nearby Counties
Amherst County is in central Virginia in the foothills of the Blue Ridge. Several counties border it. Check the death location to confirm which county court holds the record.