Search Obituary, Death and Burial Records by Name
Enter the person’s first name, last name and last known state to prepare an obituary, death, burial, cemetery, memorial and related public-record search.
Find Virginia Beach Obituaries, Funeral Details, Cemetery Records & Death Certificates
Start with the person’s full name and Virginia Beach. If the result is unclear, add a Hampton Roads city, funeral home, school, church, cemetery or family member. Then confirm the correct person through the funeral home or original publisher before travelling, donating or sharing.
Quick Answer: Choose What You Need
Recent obituary
Search Virginia Beach listings, then confirm the correct person on the original funeral-home memorial.
Funeral or visitation
Use the handling funeral home for current service time, location, cemetery, livestream and family instructions.
Older notice
Use Virginia Beach Public Library’s local history archive and genealogy resources.
Legal proof
Use Virginia Vital Records when an estate, insurer, bank, pension or government agency needs a certified death certificate.
How to Find a Recent Virginia Beach Obituary by Name
Search Hampton Roads, Not Only “Virginia Beach”
A person may live in Virginia Beach but have a funeral home, hospital, newspaper, church or cemetery in another Hampton Roads locality.
Virginia Beach
Try Oceanfront, Bayside, Great Neck, Kempsville, Princess Anne, Pungo, Sandbridge and the person’s specific neighborhood or ZIP area.
Norfolk
Search Norfolk separately when the person worked there, attended church there, received medical care there or used a Norfolk funeral home.
Chesapeake
Try Chesapeake when family, church, cemetery, military or funeral-service connections point west or southwest of Virginia Beach.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth funeral homes, churches and cemeteries can appear in notices for Virginia Beach residents.
Suffolk
Suffolk becomes especially important for Veteran burials because Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery is located there.
Hampton & Newport News
Search the Peninsula when relatives, hospitals, military service, former residence or cemetery information points across Hampton Roads.
Confirm the Correct Person Before Sharing
| Check | Why it helps | Pause when… |
|---|---|---|
| Age / birth year | Separates similar names. | The age differs significantly. |
| Relatives | Spouse, children, parents and siblings are strong identity clues. | No family names match. |
| Hampton Roads locality | Similar names may appear across several nearby independent cities. | The city connection does not fit. |
| Funeral home | Provides a first-party verification route. | The provider serves an unrelated location. |
| School / church / military | Adds identity evidence beyond the name. | The biography conflicts with known information. |
| Dates | Separates a recent notice from an old obituary. | The result belongs to another year. |
See how RecentObituaries.info verifies obituary information.
Verify Funeral, Visitation and Burial Details Before Travelling
Date and time
Viewing, visitation, funeral, memorial, graveside service and burial may happen on different days.
Exact venue
The funeral home, church, military chapel, cemetery and reception may all use different addresses.
Public or private
A public obituary does not automatically mean every ceremony is open to the public.
Parking and access
Call when the memorial does not explain parking, entrance, wheelchair access or seating.
Flowers and donations
Follow the family instructions on the official memorial. Do not use copied donation links from social media.
Livestream
Use only a stream linked from the funeral home, church or family-authorized memorial.
Can’t Find the Virginia Beach Obituary?
Find Older Virginia Beach Obituaries and Family Records
Edgar T. Brown Local History Archive
Virginia Beach Public Library’s community archive serves Virginia Beach and the wider Hampton Roads area.
For help locating local-history or genealogy materials:
Phone: 757-385-0150
Email: archives@vbgov.com
Library genealogy databases
Virginia Beach Public Library provides research databases, including in-library access to Ancestry for census, vital-record, directory, photograph and family-history research.
Prepare a better archive question
- Full name and alternate spellings.
- Approximate death or publication date.
- Virginia Beach neighborhood or former Princess Anne County connection.
- Spouse, parent, sibling or child.
- Church, school, employer or military connection.
- Newspaper name if known.
- Cemetery or funeral home if known.
For statewide historical sources, also see our recent Virginia obituaries and death-record guide.
How to Get a Virginia Beach Death Certificate
The first 30 days matter
Virginia Beach Department of Health
Pembroke Corporate Center III
4452 Corporation Lane
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Vital Statistics: 757-518-2671
Main: 757-518-2700
Vital Records office hours are listed as Monday–Friday, 8:15 a.m.–5:00 p.m. The registrar closes at 4:00 p.m., and no payments or applications are accepted after that time.
Call first. The local VDH page contains different instructions for general in-person issuance, so confirm that this location can issue the specific certificate you need before visiting.
Virginia Office of Vital Records
8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23227
Customer Care: 804-662-6200
Current walk-in hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Who can receive a recent certified death certificate?
Virginia currently limits full recent certified vital records to eligible immediate family members such as a mother, father, current spouse, child, brother, sister and grandparent with valid identification.
Current Virginia record facts
| Detail | Current guidance |
|---|---|
| Certificate/search fee | $15 per certified copy or search where no certificate is produced. |
| Public access | Death records become public information 25 years after the event. |
| Online application | VDH’s current application page lists about 5 business days for complete online applications. |
| Mail application | VDH’s current application page lists about 8 business days for complete mailed applications after receipt. |
| Corrections | Amendments take longer and are handled through the Office of Vital Records. |
| DMV option | Participating full-service DMV offices can issue eligible Virginia vital records. Current DMV certificate fee is $15 plus a $2 processing fee. |
Death-certificate microsteps
Correcting an Obituary vs Correcting a Virginia Death Certificate
Contact the original publisher
Save the obituary URL, identify the exact error and contact the funeral home or newspaper that published or submitted the notice.
Contact Virginia Vital Records
An obituary correction does not change a death certificate. Virginia amendments are handled separately through Vital Records.
For amendment questions, call 804-662-6200.
Free or Low-Cost Local Resources Families May Miss
Free local-history help
The Edgar T. Brown Local History Archive serves Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads. Staff can help identify relevant genealogy and local-history materials.
Phone: 757-385-0150
Email: archives@vbgov.com
Free legal research library
The Wahab Public Law Library provides public legal-research assistance, reference books, research databases, computers and copying/scanning services.
2425 Nimmo Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone: 757-385-4419
Current hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Free Virginia unclaimed-property search
Virginia Treasury’s official search can locate forgotten bank accounts, insurance proceeds, dividends, utility deposits and other property connected with a deceased owner.
Small-estate option
Virginia’s Small Estate Act currently uses a $75,000 personal probate-estate limit. The affidavit route generally requires at least 60 days after death and other legal conditions.
Verify a Virginia Beach Funeral Home or File a Complaint
Virginia’s Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers regulates funeral establishments, crematories, funeral-service licensees and related funeral professions.
License Lookup
Virginia Department of Health Professions provides free public License Lookup. DHP describes the database as primary-source verification of Virginia credentials.
Complaint route
DHP’s Enforcement Division investigates complaints involving regulated funeral establishments and practitioners.
Complaint line: 800-533-1560
Board: 804-367-4479
Email: fanbd@dhp.virginia.gov
Veteran Burial Help Near Virginia Beach
Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery
5310 Milners Road
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: 855-482-8387
The cemetery is open to visitors during daylight hours. The administrative office is currently open Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., except federal and state holidays.
Useful local cemetery services
- Veterans may pre-apply before death to determine burial eligibility.
- DD-214 or equivalent service documentation is normally needed.
- A marriage certificate should be included when spouse eligibility applies.
- On Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., cemetery staff are available to help visitors locate memorial sites.
- The cemetery provides a visitor map and links to the VA Nationwide Gravesite Locator.
VA burial allowance
Eligible people who paid Veteran funeral, burial, plot or transportation costs may qualify for federal VA burial reimbursement. Eligibility depends on the Veteran’s circumstances and who paid the expenses.
Funeral Price Rights Before You Agree to Pay
Ask for prices by phone
Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral directors must provide price information by telephone when you ask.
Get the General Price List
When you visit and begin discussing funeral arrangements or prices, the provider must give you an itemized General Price List to keep.
Choose individual services
You generally have the right to choose the funeral goods and services you want instead of being forced into an unwanted package.
Compare the total
Ask which charges are funeral-home fees and which are third-party costs such as cemetery, obituary, death certificates or transportation.
Outside casket or urn
A funeral home cannot refuse a casket or urn purchased elsewhere or charge a handling fee simply because it came from another seller.
Direct cremation
A casket is not required for cremation. Providers offering cremation must make alternative containers available.
Will, Probate and Estate Help in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach Circuit Court Probate
Probate/Wills Division
2425 Nimmo Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone: 757-385-8831
The Clerk’s Office asks people to call before coming in so staff can explain what to bring.
What to prepare for probate
- Original will, when one exists.
- Copy of the death certificate.
- List of assets owned by the deceased.
- Approximate asset values.
- Information about heirs and beneficiaries.
Local probate deadlines to know
| Task | Virginia Beach court guidance |
|---|---|
| Notify heirs/beneficiaries | A fiduciary generally must provide written notice within 30 days after qualification or probate. |
| Estate inventory | The fiduciary generally files a complete inventory within four months of qualification. |
| Accounting | Estate accounting is generally required annually until a final accounting can be made. |
After a Recent Death: Practical Next Actions
Social Security
Funeral homes generally report deaths to Social Security. If that did not happen, SSA says the family should call 800-772-1213.
Survivor benefits
Certain spouses, divorced spouses, children and dependent parents may qualify for monthly survivor payments.
One-time payment
SSA currently provides a possible $255 lump-sum death payment to an eligible spouse or, in some cases, eligible children.
Keep one simple document log
- Obituary and funeral-home memorial URL.
- Funeral, church and cemetery addresses.
- Death-certificate receipt and tracking ID.
- Funeral General Price List and final itemized statement.
- Insurance, pension and bank contacts.
- SSA contact date and instructions.
- VA cemetery or benefit paperwork when applicable.
- Probate, small-estate or unclaimed-property claim documents.
Safety: Flowers, Donations, Guestbooks and Livestreams
Memorial donations
Use the charity named on the original memorial, then visit the charity’s own official website before entering payment details.
Flowers
Confirm the person, service location and delivery deadline before ordering.
Guestbooks
Assume comments are public. Do not post home addresses, account details, medical claims or private family information.
Livestreams
Use only a link supplied by the funeral home, church or authorized memorial. Do not pay an unknown site to “unlock” a service.
Official and Primary Sources Used
Virginia Beach Department of Health — Vital Records Local office hours, eligibility, first-30-days death-certificate rule and official request routes. Virginia Department of Health — Office of Vital Records Current $15 certificate fee, public-record timeframes, Richmond office and statewide ordering. Virginia Beach Public Library — Edgar T. Brown Local History Archive Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads local-history and genealogy research. Virginia Beach Circuit Court Clerk — Probate Local wills, qualification, estate administration and probate guidance. Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers License Lookup, complaints and public funeral-service resources. Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery Suffolk cemetery eligibility, pre-application, visitor and gravesite-location information. Federal Trade Commission — Funeral Rule General Price List, telephone pricing and funeral consumer-choice protections. Virginia Department of the Treasury — Unclaimed Property Free official search and claim route for unclaimed Virginia property. Social Security Administration — What to Do When Someone Dies Death reporting, lump-sum payment and survivor-benefit starting points.Related RecentObituaries.info Guides
Recent Obituaries in Virginia
Statewide Virginia obituary, death-record, archive and veterans-resource guidance.
Obituary Search Guide
Search by name, date, funeral home, newspaper, cemetery and family clue.
Death Certificate & Vital Records
Understand when certified proof is needed instead of a public obituary.
Veterans Burial & Memorial Benefits
VA cemetery, burial allowance, memorial and Veteran-family resources.
Funeral Costs & Consumer Rights
General Price Lists, packages, cremation choices and FTC protections.
After-Death Notification Checklist
Social Security, banks, insurers, mail, benefits and records.
Virginia Beach Recent Obituaries: FAQs
Where can I find recent obituaries in Virginia Beach?
Start with a Virginia Beach obituary listing, then confirm the correct person through the handling funeral home’s original memorial. If the person had strong Hampton Roads connections, also search nearby independent cities such as Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk.
How do I search Virginia Beach obituaries by name?
Search the full name first. If no result appears, try the surname alone, nickname, maiden name, previous surname, spouse, school, church, funeral home, cemetery or nearby Hampton Roads city.
Why should I search Norfolk or Chesapeake too?
Virginia Beach residents may use funeral homes, hospitals, churches, cemeteries or newspapers in nearby Hampton Roads cities. Each nearby city is a separate Virginia locality.
How much is a Virginia death certificate in 2026?
Virginia Department of Health increased the certificate/search fee to $15 effective July 1, 2026.
Where do I get a death certificate during the first 30 days?
Virginia Beach Department of Health states that during the first 30 days after the death is filed, copies must be obtained from the city or county where the death was originally filed.
What is the Virginia Beach Vital Statistics phone number?
The Virginia Beach Department of Health currently lists 757-518-2671 for its Vital Statistics Office. Call before visiting to confirm the service, location and documents needed.
Who can get a recent Virginia death certificate?
Virginia currently limits full recent certified records to eligible immediate family members such as a parent, current spouse, child, sibling or grandparent with valid identification. Other requesters with a direct and tangible interest may qualify for a Verification of Death instead.
When do Virginia death records become public?
Virginia death records become public information 25 years after the event.
How can I find an older Virginia Beach obituary?
Use the Edgar T. Brown Local History Archive at Virginia Beach Public Library and search both Virginia Beach and historical Princess Anne County terms. Library staff can help locate local-history and genealogy material.
How can I verify a Virginia Beach funeral home?
Use the Virginia Department of Health Professions License Lookup through the Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. The database provides primary-source Virginia license verification.
Where can I file a complaint about a Virginia funeral provider?
The Virginia Department of Health Professions Enforcement Division handles complaints involving regulated funeral establishments and practitioners. The complaint line is 800-533-1560.
What Veterans cemetery is near Virginia Beach?
Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery is located at 5310 Milners Road in Suffolk. Eligible Veterans can pre-apply for burial eligibility.
How do I probate a will in Virginia Beach?
Contact the Virginia Beach Circuit Court Clerk’s Probate/Wills Division at 757-385-8831. The court recommends calling before visiting and generally asks for the original will, a death-certificate copy and information about the deceased person’s assets.
Does Virginia have a small-estate affidavit?
Yes. Current Virginia law generally uses a $75,000 personal probate-estate limit and requires at least 60 days after death, along with other legal conditions.
How do I check for unclaimed money belonging to someone who died?
Use Virginia Treasury’s official VaMoneySearch.gov database. Searching is free. A deceased-owner claim may require probate, estate or successor documentation.
Before You Share, Travel or Pay
- Confirm the correct person, not only a matching name.
- Search nearby Hampton Roads cities when Virginia Beach alone gives no result.
- Use the original funeral-home memorial for current service details.
- Save funeral, church and cemetery addresses separately.
- Remember Virginia’s current death-certificate fee is $15.
- For a newly filed death, check the first-30-days local filing rule.
- Verify unfamiliar funeral providers through Virginia License Lookup.
- Check Albert G. Horton cemetery and VA benefits when the deceased was a Veteran.
- Use Virginia Beach Circuit Court for local probate questions.
- Keep private medical, financial and estate information out of public guestbooks.
RecentObituaries.info provides independent source-navigation and educational information. Verify final obituary details, service times, fees, eligibility, benefits and legal requirements with the funeral home, cemetery, court or government agency responsible for the service or record.