Arlington County Obituary and Death Records

Arlington County death records and obituary information are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and the Arlington County Health Department. These records span from the mid-1800s to the present and serve residents, researchers, and family members searching for details about deceased persons in one of Virginia's most densely populated counties.

Arlington County Circuit Court Clerk

The Arlington County Circuit Court Clerk keeps vital records, land records, and court records for the county. Marriage records go back to 1846. Land records and probate records are also stored here. The Historic Records Division holds deed books and will books that researchers can access during regular business hours.

Historical death registers from 1853 to 1896 are available on microfilm through the Library of Virginia. If you need to trace a death in Arlington County from that era, the Library of Virginia in Richmond is the place to go. The circuit court itself does not hold those early registers on site, but staff can point you to the right source.

Death Certificates in Arlington County

The Arlington County Health Department handles certified death certificates for deaths in the county from 1912 to the present. Each copy costs $12. Under Code of Virginia Title 32.1 Chapter 7, only immediate family members may request certified copies for deaths that occurred within the past 25 years. Deaths older than 25 years are generally available to any requester.

The state agency for death records is the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. You can also order copies through VDH, which processes requests for the entire state. The statewide office is at vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records and can be reached at (804) 662-6200. The cost is the same: $12 per copy.

To request a certificate you need to provide the full legal name of the deceased, the date and place of death, and your relationship to that person. Requests can come in by mail or in person. Processing times vary. If you need something fast, go to the health department in person. Mail requests can take several weeks.

The screenshot below shows the Arlington County government website, which links to health and vital records services.

Arlington County's official site provides direction to the health department, court clerk, and other offices that hold death and obituary records.

Historical Death Records and Registers

Virginia required local registration of deaths starting in 1853. Arlington County death registers from 1853 to 1896 are held on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. There is a gap in records from 1897 to 1911 statewide, as Virginia's registration system lapsed during that period. Consistent statewide registration resumed in June 1912.

The Library of Virginia's collections include digitized death registers that researchers can browse online. The LVA death records guide explains what years are available, how they are organized, and which counties have partial records. For Arlington, the 1853-1896 registers are the main pre-1912 source.

Obituaries from Arlington area newspapers are another important source. The Alexandria Library Special Collections holds local newspaper archives that include death notices and obituaries. The library's collections cover the Alexandria Gazette and other Northern Virginia papers that reported on Arlington County deaths going back many generations.

The screenshot below shows the Alexandria Library, which holds historical newspaper archives with Arlington County obituary content.

Alexandria Library's Special Collections division offers access to historical newspapers and genealogical resources relevant to Arlington County research.

Online Tools for Arlington Obituary Research

Find It Virginia is the best free online tool for Arlington death records from 1912 to the present. You need a Virginia public library card to access it. Go to finditva.com and search by name. Results include death certificates and index entries.

The Henley Index at the Library of Virginia covers obituary and marriage notices from Virginia newspapers dating from 1736 to 1982. Many Arlington County families appear in this index. Access it through the LVA Henley guide. The index is especially useful for pre-1912 obituary research.

The Virginia Genealogy Society maintains an obituary database at virginiagenealogy.org/obits. This resource indexes obituaries from Virginia newspapers and other sources. It is free to search and covers many Northern Virginia records including Arlington County deaths.

The Virginia Museum of History and Culture at virginiahistory.org provides access to family papers, compiled genealogies, and published abstracts. Their collections include Northern Virginia materials relevant to Arlington County family research.

The National Archives at College Park and the Washington DC regional facility hold federal records that touch on Arlington County. These include census records, military records, and pension files. Go to archives.gov/dc-metro to learn what is available and how to access it.

The screenshot below shows the National Archives DC Metro facility, a key source for federal genealogical records related to Arlington County.

The National Archives DC Metro region holds census records, military service files, and other federal materials that supplement Arlington County death and obituary research.

Public Access and FOIA Rights

Virginia law gives the public broad access to death records. Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act at Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3700, death records older than 25 years are public documents. Anyone can request them, no family connection needed.

Certified copies of death certificates issued within the last 25 years require proof of relationship. You must be a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased. Attorneys, legal guardians, and certain authorized agents also qualify. You will need to show valid government-issued ID with your request.

Arlington County Circuit Court records, including probate filings and estate inventories, are also public. These records often list heirs, property, and sometimes obituary details. The clerk's office can help you search these records in person during business hours.

Local Genealogy Resources

Arlington County does not have its own separate historical society, but the Arlington Public Library Virginia Room holds strong local collections. The Virginia Room has photographs, maps, and local newspapers that go back many decades. Staff there can help you find obituary notices and death information in local papers.

The Library of Virginia in Richmond is the primary research center for all Virginia genealogy. Its collections include the Criminal Records Index and a wide range of county-level materials. The Henley Index, death registers, and newspaper microfilm are all available there. You can visit in person or use their online catalog at lva.virginia.gov.

The Virginia Genealogical Society at virginiagenealogy.org publishes research guides and maintains obituary databases that cover Northern Virginia. Their resources can help you locate death notices that do not appear in official vital records.

Cities Near Arlington County

The following independent cities are near Arlington County. Each handles its own vital records separately from the county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border or lie near Arlington. Death filings follow county lines, so confirm which jurisdiction applies to your research.