NC Division of Vital Records - Raleigh - Wake County, North Carolina (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to get a birth certificate from NC Vital Records? ›

The current processing time for mailed-in certificate orders is 30 days - 3 months, depending on certificate type and year. Mail order applications should be sent to the attention of VitalChek with payment made to VitalChek. Be sure to use the mailing address below to submit your completed form(s) and payment.

on the first floor of the Wake County Justice Center in Raleigh. We'll conduct the search and give you a certified copy for $24 ($15 for each additional). Click here if you were born before 1971. Please note: it's only our downtown location that offers birth certificates from other NC counties.

Wake County Register of Deeds can provide copies of marriage, birth, and death records issued in Wake County, North Carolina. Vital records issued in other states or countries must be obtained from the issuing agency.

A copy of a valid photo ID and a signed application are required for all certificate requests. See NC Vital Records' certificate application for a list of acceptable IDs. The Register of Deeds in the county where the death occurred can provide copies of death certificates upon request.

After birth registration, most birth certificates are available after 10 days from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

The surname of the child shall be the same as that of the husband, except that upon agreement of the husband and mother, or upon agreement of the mother and father if paternity has been otherwise determined, any surname may be chosen.

In most cases, certificates can be obtained from the Register of Deeds on the same day. Note: NC Vital Records is the only office from which you may obtain a birth certificate for an adopted child.

By 1920, 90% of births and deaths were being registered. North Carolina is a unique state in that its birth, marriage, and death records are essentially public records as soon as created. North Carolina does not restrict access to genealogical copies with 25 year or greater embargo periods that limit public access.

North Carolina courts maintain that the public has the right to access most court documents. This includes divorce documents.

North Carolina Vital Records are not free, searchable public records per NC laws and rules. Certificate records are not available through a search of this public website. See the Order a Certificate page to begin the process to obtain a certificate.

How long does it take to get a death certificate after someone dies in South Carolina? ›

Average processing time is 5-7 business days.

Only an immediate family member of the decedent may order a death certificate through an online vendor.

The rest of the death certificate will require information from the next of kin, which may be you. Then the funeral home or crematory will submit it to the Health Department. The Health Department then needs to process it. This can take several weeks and depends on the Health Department in your area.

A fully executed death certificate will contain signatures from several individuals to attest that the death has occurred (pronouncer), describe the medical cause of death (certifier), describe the disposition of remains (funeral director), and indicate that the certificate is registered (Vital Records staff).

Vital records (births/deaths) were not kept in North Carolina on a statewide basis before October 1913.

Certificates Available Four to Six Weeks after Birth.

Processing time: Six to eight weeks (delivery by regular mail can take an additional two weeks). Add additional time for your application to be delivered to our office.

You may either come into our office at 201 West Market Street, 1st Floor, Greensboro, N.C. or 325 East Russell Avenue, High Point, N.C. You can also obtain a copy by mail. Come in to either the High Point or Greensboro office. You will need to present picture identification and fill out a request form.

You can request an apostille with the North Carolina Secretary of State in person or by mail. Submit the original notarized or certified document, contact information, and the foreign country in which the apostille will be used, and the state will issue the apostille. The state fee is $10 per authentication.