Get your certified North Carolina Birth Certificate

How to Get a North Carolina Birth Certificate Without ID?

To obtain a North Carolina birth certificate without an ID, you can use two secondary forms of identification listed in the requirements table above. Alternatively, authorized third parties such as family members or legal representatives can request the birth certificate on your behalf, provided they have the necessary documentation and proof of identity.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in North Carolina?

The total time it takes to receive a North Carolina birth certificate depends on the method of application, the year in which the birth took place, and the current wait times set by the NCDHHS. The standard processing time is approximately 30 days to 3 months, while expedited orders can reduce wait times to take 1 to 2 weeks. In person requests are processed the same day. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

You do not need to notarize your North Carolina birth certificate replacement application. However, you must provide valid identification and the documents specified by the NCDHHS to process your request. Certain third parties may need to provide notarized proof of their relationship to the individual on record.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain a North Carolina if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  If you were born on a U.S. military base overseas, you would not have a birth certificate on record with the state of North Carolina. You must request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) or form FS-240, as it would have been recorded with the U.S. Department of State. The CRBA is equivalent to a U.S. birth certificate, evidence of U.S. citizenship. A CRBA can be used for legal purposes such as applying for a passport and accessing social services.

  Note, if you are searching for copies of a birth record that occurred overseas, you can contact the hospital where you were born.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My North Carolina Birth Certificate?

  

  Certified copies of your North Carolina birth certificate prove your identity and citizenship. They include essential information such as your legal name, place and date of birth, and parents' names. Government and commercial entities recognize certified birth certificates, which are often required for legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, employment, and travel.
  
  Birth certificates are often useful or required for:

  Applying for a driver's license

  Applying for a new passport

  Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

  Applying for Social Security benefits

  Claiming pension or insurance benefits

  Genealogy research

  Claiming family inheritance

  Applying for a new job

  Enrolling in school

  Enlisting in military

  Obtaining a marriage license

  
  

• What Does a North Carolina Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  Official birth certificates issued by the NCDHHS will display key features that indicate its authenticity. While the appearance of the birth certificate may vary depending on the year of its issue, state guidelines mandate that certified copies must display standard features, such as the state seal, the individual's name, the registrar's signature, and printed on secure paper.

  It's important to note that official (long-form) birth certificates are used for legal purposes and differ from informational (short-form) copies, which are generally used for commemorative purposes.

  • Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

  • Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

  • Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

  • Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

  • State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

  • Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

  • Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

  • Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

  In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

  • Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

  • Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

  
  

  

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen North Carolina Birth Certificate

  

  If you lose your birth certificate:

  1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the NCDHHS.
     a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the state health department or the Register of Deeds office in the county where the birth occurred.
     b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the NCDHHS at:
     NCDHHS-NCOVR
     Attn: VC Certificate Orders 1903 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
     c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
  2. The NCDHHS will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend a North Carolina Birth Certificate

  

  The process for correcting or amending a North Carolina birth certificate varies depending on the changes needed. In most cases, an addendum (or supplement) is created to correct or change the birth certificate, while the original record remains unaltered. The NC Office of Vital Records (NCOVR) offers in-person appointments and mail-in requests to amend your birth record.

  Typically, North Carolina amendments to birth certificates will require:

  1. A completed Request to Amend a Record: This is not an official amendment application but a request form. NCOVR will contact you with further instructions once your request is approved.
  2. Supporting documentation: An accepted form of identification set by NCOVR is required with your request form. NCOVR may need further documentation to amend the record.
  3. Appropriate fee(s): A certified check or money order (no personal checks) payable to “NC. Vital Records.” The search fee is $24.00, and expedited requests cost an additional $15.00. Note in-person requests must pay the expedited fee.
  4. Mail in your submission: If you request to expedite, write “EXPEDITE” outside the envelope and include the $15.00 payment.
     Mail To:
     North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
     Division of Public Health - NC. Vital Records
     1903 Mail Service Center
     Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
     In-person Appointments:
     Contact the North Carolina Vital Records Amendments office at (919) 792-5986 before completing the Request to Amend a Record. 225 North McDowell St Raleigh, NC 27603-1382

  County offices only process corrections and amendments for birth records from 1997 and later. If the birth occurred before 1997, you must submit all modification requests to the ADHS-BVR. However, when needed they can process corrections and amendments for any birth year.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a North Carolina Birth Certificate

  

  You can obtain a North Carolina birth certificate apostille by submitting a request directly to the North Carolina Secretary of State or online through VRO's Express Apostille Service. Apostilles are only issued by the North Carolina Secretary of State and are usually required when filing a birth certificate with a foreign government as part of the 1961 Hague Convention.

  To manually obtain an apostille for a North Carolina birth certificate, complete the following steps:

  1. Obtain a Certified Copy of the Birth Certificate: Ensure you have a certified copy of the birth certificate issued by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
  2. Complete the Application for an Apostille: Download and complete the Cover Letter from the North Carolina Secretary of State's website.
  3. Prepare Supporting Documents: Gather the necessary documents, the certified copy of your NC Birth Certificate, and Cover Letter as specified by the North Carolina Secretary of State.
  4. Submit the Application and Fees: Submit your completed application, supporting documents, and a check or money order for the required fee of $10.00 per document, payable to the NC Secretary of State.
  5. Mail or Deliver Your Request: Mail your request with a return pre-paid envelope or carrier label, or hand deliver to the following address:

  Mailing Address USPS:

  
  

  Street Address for Carrier and Hand Delivery: