Wayne County Register of Deeds backlog delaying funerals, sending people to other counties to fix

A paperwork backlog in Wayne County is holding up funerals and sending people to other counties for a fix.

The Register of Deeds Office in Wayne County is so backed up, people are now going to Johnston and Wilson counties for their birth, death and marriage certificates.

On Tuesday, Wayne County Register of Deeds Constance Coram stood in front of the county Board of Commissioners to explain why her office is so backed up.

"I want the community to realize and help me do something by contacting the county manager's office and help me get my office back intact," she said.

After going over her time limit, commissioners asked her to stop and said the issue would be addressed at the next meeting.

She refused and was escorted out.

Coram declined to comment to WRAL News about the backlog, which is affecting local funeral homes.

Yarbrough said it's not just the wait, but mistakes are also slowing them down.

“There have been times when the employees at the deeds [office] forgot to put a seal of certificate on the copies of the death certificate,” he said.

Yarbrough said it's been an issue since Coram was elected, and it's making their job much hard.

"We always have to double check when we get the death certificate ... just to make sure everything is correct and the seal is put in place," said Yarbrough. "I would say there's no confidence in how it's run right now. We've witnessed many, many mistakes."

Now, the backlog is trickling down to residents.

Taressa Roberts said she stopped by the Register of Deeds Office to get a copy of her son's birth certificate, but she was told she needed an appointment.

"[It's] very frustrating. I shouldn't have to go to Johnston County and get a birth certificate for my son. He was born here in Wayne County. That's not fair," added Roberts.

The Johnston County Register of Deeds Office said there's been an increase in Wayne County residents coming there since last December, specifically for marriage licenses -- which have increased by 22 percent.

Wilson County leaders said they've also seen an increase in Wayne County residents using their Register of Deeds Office.