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North Carolina vital records

The North Carolina Vital Records is the vital records office for North Carolina.1 It issues certified birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates and divorce records2. Local offices also issue certified copies.2

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Records and where to get them
  2. Local offices
  3. Access rules and the law
  4. The state office
  5. Questions people ask
  6. Sources

Current notices from the office

  • Higher than normal call volumes; longer waits or callback option1
  • In-person appointments are usually filled a month or two out2
  • Marriage and divorce certificates: about 9 months average processing at the state office3

Records and where to get them

RecordWho issues itYears heldFirst copyShortest published time
Birth certificateNorth Carolina Vital Records (NC Office of Vital Records, NCOVR), NC DHHS Division of Public Health41913 to today2$245At a local office: Same day6
Death certificateNorth Carolina Vital Records (NC Office of Vital Records, NCOVR), NC DHHS Division of Public Health41930 to today2$245At a local office: Same day6
Marriage certificateNorth Carolina Vital Records (NC Office of Vital Records, NCOVR), NC DHHS Division of Public Health41962 to today2$245At a local office: Same day6
Divorce recordsNorth Carolina Vital Records (NC Office of Vital Records, NCOVR), NC DHHS Division of Public Health41958 to today2$245By mail: Up to 4 months7

Birth certificate

Who holds it
Also issued by the Register of Deeds in the county of birth2
Older records
Register of Deeds in the county of birth (births before 1913)8
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, in person, at a local office, by phone

How to get a North Carolina birth certificate

Death certificate

Who holds it
Also issued by the Register of Deeds in the county where the death occurred (not the county of residence)6
Older records
State Archives of North Carolina (deaths before 1930)8
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, in person, at a local office, by phone

How to get a North Carolina death certificate

Marriage certificate

Who holds it
Also issued by the Register of Deeds in the county where the marriage license was issued; pre-1962 records only there8
Older records
Register of Deeds where the license was issued (before 1962)8
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, in person, at a local office, by phone

How to get a North Carolina marriage certificate

Divorce records

Who holds it
The state issues a divorce certificate (summary); the court record/decree is held by the Clerk of Court where the divorce was filed9
Older records
Clerk of Court where the divorce was filed (before 1958)8
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, in person, at a local office, by phone

How to get North Carolina divorce records

Local offices

Local offices issue certified copies
Yes2
Which offices
County Register of Deeds (birth, death, marriage); county Clerk of Court (divorce)2

Access rules and the law

Who may get certified copies
Closed for certified copies (restricted to the registrant, close relatives, persons with a legal need, and their agents); uncertified copies to anyone11

Laws and rules the office cites

  • N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-93 (access to vital records; copies)11
  • N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-93.1 (fees for vital records copies or search)12
  • N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-118 (amendment of birth and death certificates)13
  • N.C. Gen. Stat. § 48-9-107 (birth certificates of adoptees)14
  • 10A NCAC 41H.0704 (amendment/adoption processing fee)14

The state office

Office
North Carolina Vital Records1
Mailing address
North Carolina Vital Records, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
1
Walk-in address
Cooper Memorial Health Building, 225 N. McDowell St., Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
1
Hours
Call center Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; in-person appointments Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (last appointment 2:30 p.m.)1
Appointments
Required1

Questions people ask

How much do birth and death certificates cost in North Carolina?

A certified birth certificate costs $24 for the first copy and a death certificate $24.5

What is the phone number of the North Carolina vital records office?

North Carolina Vital Records: 919-733-3000.1

Where do I get a marriage certificate in North Carolina?

North Carolina Vital Records (NC Office of Vital Records, NCOVR), NC DHHS Division of Public Health. Also issued by the Register of Deeds in the county where the marriage license was issued; pre-1962 records only there.48

Where do I get divorce records in North Carolina?

North Carolina Vital Records (NC Office of Vital Records, NCOVR), NC DHHS Division of Public Health. The state issues a divorce certificate (summary); the court record/decree is held by the Clerk of Court where the divorce was filed.49

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. NC Vital Records contacts pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  2. NC Vital Records faqs pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  3. NC Vital Records processing pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  4. NC Vital Records home pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 23, 2026
  5. NC Vital Records fees pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  6. NC Vital Records order pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 23, 2026
  7. NC Divorce Certificate App (PDF)NC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Records (application form PDF hosted on vitalchek.com, linked from vitalrecords.nc.gov/order.htm)dated February 1, 2025
  8. NC Vital Records research pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated August 26, 2026
  9. NC Vital Records divorce pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  10. NC Vital Records county pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  11. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-93 Access to vital records; copiesNorth Carolina General Assemblydated February 13, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  12. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-93.1 Fees for vital records copies or searchNorth Carolina General Assemblydated May 30, 2025read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  13. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-118 Amendment of birth and death certificatesNorth Carolina General Assemblydated May 20, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  14. NC Vital Records adoptions pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026