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North Carolina · How-To Guide

How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

NC DHHS, Vital Records Office (state level - Raleigh) / County Register of Deeds (county level - where birth occurred - fastest for in-person)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: NC vital records are restricted. Eligible: the person named (if adult), parents, legal guardian, legal representative, spouse, child, and others with direct and tangible interest in the record.
  2. Choose your method:
  3. IN PERSON - County Register of Deeds (FASTEST): Visit the ROD office in the county where the birth occurred; bring valid photo ID; same-day service in most cases; typically lower fees than the state office; most counties do not require an appointment for vital records
  4. IN PERSON - NC Vital Records (Raleigh): 225 N. McDowell St., Raleigh, NC 27603; appointment required; last appointment at 2:30 PM; book appointment online at vitalrecords.nc.gov
  5. BY MAIL - NC Vital Records: Complete application (available at vitalrecords.nc.gov/forms.htm); include photocopy of valid photo ID; check or money order payable to "NC Vital Records"; mail to: NC Vital Records, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903
  6. ONLINE/PHONE (VitalChek): Authorized vendor; additional fees; vitalchek.com
  7. Submit with valid photo ID and proof of qualifying relationship
  8. Pay the fee
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed application
  • Valid government-issued photo ID with signature
  • Proof of qualifying relationship if requesting on behalf of another
  • Payment: check or money order for state mail; card accepted at many county RODs and VitalChek
Processing Time
County ROD in-person: same day in most cases; state office mail: several weeks; VitalChek: expedited
Online Option
VitalChek (authorized vendor)
Where to Go
County Register of Deeds in the county where birth occurred (fastest, often lower fee); NC Vital Records in Raleigh (mail, online, or in-person by appointment)
County-specific variations apply

NC's 100 county Registers of Deeds each hold birth records for their county. Through NC's statewide electronic vital records system, many county RODs can access records for events in their jurisdiction. Large counties (Wake/Raleigh, Mecklenburg/Charlotte, Guilford, Forsyth, Cumberland/Fayetteville, Durham) have well-staffed ROD offices. Very small mountain and coastal NC counties may have limited hours.

North Carolina Notes

Important state-specific details

  • NC Vital Records state office: birth records from October 1913 to present.
  • For births before October 1913: NC State Archives or county-level records may be needed.
  • State in-person service requires APPOINTMENT - do not walk in without one.
  • $24 search fee is nonrefundable even if no record found.
  • Uncertified copies (informational, not for legal use) available to anyone; certified copies require eligibility.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
$24 per search (includes one certified copy if found); $15 each additional copy of same record at same time; $24 search fee nonrefundable even if record not found FEE - COUNTY ROD: Typically lower; verify with specific county ROD PROCESSING TIME: County ROD in-person: same day in most cases; state office mail: several weeks; VitalChek: expedited ONLINE OPTION: VitalChek (authorized vendor) WHERE TO GO: County Register of Deeds in the county where birth occurred (fastest, often lower fee); NC Vital Records in Raleigh (mail, online, or in-person by appointment)