State vital records · NCDHHS-NCOVR

North Carolina Vital Records

Get a birth, death, or marriage certificate in North Carolina — official fees, processing times, ID requirements, and every local vital records office by county and city.

North Carolina · 182 offices

182
Offices listed
107
Counties covered
$30.00
Birth cert. fee
2–3 weeks
Avg. processing

At a glance

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Vital Record (NCDHHS-NCOVR)

Address
Cooper Memorial Health Building 225 N. McDowell St. Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
Mailing
NCOVR Attn: VC Certificate Orders 1903 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
Phone
919-733-3000
Hours
8:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m. (appointment required)

North Carolina Birth Certificate

Fee
$24 + one of the following processing fees: $15.00 - in person $6.00 - mail-in $13.95 - online/phone order
Additional copy
$15
Rush fee
$15 - expedited fee, temporarily suspended for mail-in orders and currently only available for in-person (this fee is added to all in-person request, as they are all considered expedited) or $13.95 + optional $20 overnight shipping - for online orders with vitalchek
Processing time
30 days - 1 year** see Contact NC.gov about conflicting processing time info (https://www.notion.so/Contact-NC-gov-about-conflicting-processing-time-info-8e0f20ae845748a68e18aee6ac187f53?pvs=21)
Rush processing
Immediate in-person, NA mail-in, possibly 4-5 months online/phone (see Contact NC.gov about conflicting processing time info (https://www.notion.so/Contact-NC-gov-about-conflicting-processing-time-info-8e0f20ae845748a68e18aee6ac187f53?pvs=21)
Public after
Not restricted (Uncertified copies)

Who can request

  • Children
  • Grandchildren
  • Grandparents
  • Law Enforcement
  • Legal Guardian
  • Legal Representative
  • Other Person of Interest
  • Parents
  • Person on Record
  • Power of Attorney
  • Siblings
  • Social Worker
  • Spouse
  • Step Children
  • Step-Parents

Required information

  • Date of Birth
  • Daytime Phone Number
  • Email
  • Father's Name at Birth
  • Full Name at Birth
  • Mailing Address
  • Mother's Maiden Name
  • Place of Birth
  • Purpose for the Certificate
  • Sex
  • Your Name
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
  • Your Signature

Accepted ID

  • Corrections ID
  • Passport
  • State Driver's License
  • State ID
  • State Non-Driver ID
  • Student ID (with transcript)
  • US Military ID
  • Valid Government ID

Secondary ID

  • Bank Statement
  • Letter from Government Agency
  • State Concealed Weapon Permit
  • Temporary Driver's License
  • Utility Bill
  • Vehicle Registration
  • W-2 Form
Application form

North Carolina Death Certificate

Fee
$24 + one of the following processing fees: $15.00 - in person $6.00 - mail-in $13.95 - online/phone order
Additional copy
$15
Rush fee
$15 - expedited fee, temporarily suspended for mail-in orders and currently only available for in-person (this fee is added to all in-person request, as they are all considered expedited) or $13.95 + optional $20 overnight shipping - for online orders with vitalchek
Processing time
30 days - 1 year** see notion://www.notion.so/nordseo/c6780250435b46518132dc61c9c7bcc9?v=8eac8277d6ae40d2bf1d0d1682626e32notion://www.notion.so/nordseo/c6780250435b46518132dc61c9c7bcc9?v=8eac8277d6ae40d2bf1d0d1682626e32
Rush processing
Immediate in-person, NA mail-in, possibly 4-5 months online/phone (see notion://www.notion.so/nordseo/c6780250435b46518132dc61c9c7bcc9?v=8eac8277d6ae40d2bf1d0d1682626e32notion://www.notion.so/nordseo/c6780250435b46518132dc61c9c7bcc9?v=8eac8277d6ae40d2bf1d0d1682626e32
Public after
Not restricted (Uncertified copies)

Who can request

  • Children
  • Grandchildren
  • Grandparents
  • Legal Guardian
  • Legal Representative
  • Other Person of Interest
  • Parents
  • Siblings
  • Spouse
  • Step Children
  • Step-Parents

Required information

  • Age at Death
  • Date of Birth
  • Date of Death
  • Daytime Phone Number
  • Email
  • Full Name at Birth
  • Full Name of Person of Record
  • Mailing Address
  • Place of Death
  • Purpose for the Certificate
  • Race
  • Your Name
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
  • Your Signature

Accepted ID

  • Corrections ID
  • Passport
  • State Driver's License
  • State ID
  • State Non-Driver ID
  • Student ID (with transcript)
  • US Military ID
  • Valid Government ID

Secondary ID

  • Bank Statement
  • Letter from Government Agency
  • Pay Stub
  • State Concealed Weapon Permit
  • Temporary Driver's License
  • Utility Bill
  • Vehicle Registration
  • W-2 Form
Application form

North Carolina Marriage Certificate

Fee
$24 + one of the following processing fees: $15.00 - in person $6.00 - mail-in $13.95 - online/phone order
Additional copy
$15
Rush fee
$15 - expedited fee, temporarily suspended for mail-in orders and currently only available for in-person (this fee is added to all in-person request, as they are all considered expedited) or $13.95 + optional $20 overnight shipping - for online orders with vitalchek
Processing time
30 days - 1 year** see notion://www.notion.so/nordseo/c6780250435b46518132dc61c9c7bcc9?v=8eac8277d6ae40d2bf1d0d1682626e32notion://www.notion.so/nordseo/c6780250435b46518132dc61c9c7bcc9?v=8eac8277d6ae40d2bf1d0d1682626e32
Rush processing
Immediate in-person, NA mail-in, possibly 4-5 months online/phone (see notion://www.notion.so/nordseo/c6780250435b46518132dc61c9c7bcc9?v=8eac8277d6ae40d2bf1d0d1682626e32notion://www.notion.so/nordseo/c6780250435b46518132dc61c9c7bcc9?v=8eac8277d6ae40d2bf1d0d1682626e32
Public after
Not restricted (Uncertified copies)

Who can request

  • Children
  • Grandparents
  • Legal Guardian
  • Legal Representative
  • Parents
  • Person on Record
  • Power of Attorney
  • Siblings
  • Social Worker
  • Spouse
  • Step Children
  • Step-Parents

Required information

  • Bride Name
  • Bride's Name Before Marriage
  • Date of Marriage
  • Daytime Phone Number
  • Email
  • Groom Name
  • Groom Name Before Marriage
  • Mailing Address
  • Place where License Was Issued
  • Purpose for the Certificate
  • Your Name
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
  • Your Signature

Accepted ID

  • Corrections ID
  • Passport
  • State Driver's License
  • State ID
  • State Non-Driver ID
  • Student ID (with transcript)
  • US Military ID
  • Valid Government ID

Secondary ID

  • Bank Statement
  • Letter from Government Agency
  • Pay Stub
  • State Concealed Weapon Permit
  • Temporary Driver's License
  • Utility Bill
  • Vehicle Registration
  • W-2 Form
Application form

Don't want to visit in person? Order a North Carolina birth, death, or marriage certificate online through our partner, Vital Records Online.

Order online ↗

Find a vital records office in North Carolina

Most North Carolina birth and death records are requested at the county level. Browse by office type, popular city, or county.

All counties (107)

Apostille & authentication

Office
NC Department of the Secretary of State
Phone
919-814-5400
Mailing
By US Postal Service NC Department of the Secretary of State ATTN: Authentications PO Box 29622 Raleigh, NC 27626-0622 By Delivery Service NC Department of the Secretary of State ATTN: Authentications 2 South Salisbury Street Raleigh, NC 27601
Walk-in
NC Department of the Secretary of State ATTN: Authentications 2 South Salisbury Street Raleigh, NC 27601 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Monday – Friday except Federal and State Holidays.
Details
NC Vital Records do not need to be notarized Requesting an apostille using a "copy" of a document will require a notarized Affidavit saying that the document is a "true copy" of the original.

North Carolina vital records FAQs

How much does a North Carolina birth certificate cost?

The fee is $24 + one of the following processing fees: $15.00 - in person $6.00 - mail-in $13.95 - online/phone order.

How long does a North Carolina birth certificate take?

30 days - 1 year** see Contact NC.gov about conflicting processing time info (https://www.notion.so/Contact-NC-gov-about-conflicting-processing-time-info-8e0f20ae845748a68e18aee6ac187f53?pvs=21)

How much does a North Carolina death certificate cost?

The fee is $24 + one of the following processing fees: $15.00 - in person $6.00 - mail-in $13.95 - online/phone order.

How long does a North Carolina death certificate take?

30 days - 1 year** see notion://www.notion.so/nordseo/c6780250435b46518132dc61c9c7bcc9?v=8eac8277d6ae40d2bf1d0d1682626e32notion://www.notion.so/nordseo/c6780250435b46518132dc61c9c7bcc9?v=8eac8277d6ae40d2bf1d0d1682626e32

How much does a North Carolina marriage certificate cost?

The fee is $24 + one of the following processing fees: $15.00 - in person $6.00 - mail-in $13.95 - online/phone order.

How long does a North Carolina marriage certificate take?

30 days - 1 year** see notion://www.notion.so/nordseo/c6780250435b46518132dc61c9c7bcc9?v=8eac8277d6ae40d2bf1d0d1682626e32notion://www.notion.so/nordseo/c6780250435b46518132dc61c9c7bcc9?v=8eac8277d6ae40d2bf1d0d1682626e32

Where do I get a birth certificate in North Carolina?

North Carolina birth and death records are requested at the county level or from the state vital records office. Browse the 182 offices listed on this page by county or city, or order online through our partner to skip the in-person visit.

Can I order a North Carolina birth certificate online?

Yes. You can prepare and submit your application online through our partner, Vital Records Online, and skip the in-person visit.

Public records: North Carolina Public Records Law. Information is provided as guidance and may change — verify with the state office before applying.