Get certified North Carolina Death Certificate

A certified copy of a North Carolina death certificate costs $24 for the first copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $15 each from the NC Vital Records office.

Yes. North Carolina death certificates can be ordered online through the NC Division of Public Health or through authorized third-party services. You will need the decedent’s full legal name, date of death, and your relationship to the deceased.

North Carolina restricts death certificate access to eligible requestors such as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, legal representative, or funeral director. You may submit a notarized affidavit or sworn statement confirming your authorization. A Power of Attorney (PoA) document is also accepted.

An officially certified death certificate from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services contains various security features to guarantee its authenticity and prevent fraudulent alterations. While the design differs slightly depending on the year of issue, the certificate will include essential information that verifies the individual's death, such as the deceased's full name, date of birth, date and place of death, and the cause of death. North Carolina death certificates display the state's official seal, along with the state registrar's signature, further ensuring their legitimacy. The document is printed on tamper-resistant, high-security paper, with watermarks and other security features to prevent unauthorized reproductions or alterations. These certificates are issued within the state guidelines, and all counties in North Carolina adhere to the same secure procedures for publishing death certificates. As such, a certified copy of a North Carolina death certificate is an official legal document recognized nationwide, enabling it to be used in various legal, financial, and personal matters, including settling estates, claiming benefits, and verifying identity for government agencies and institutions.

• Full Name of the Decedent: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date and time of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred, along with the specific facility or location.
• Cause of Death: The immediate and underlying causes of death, as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
• Medical Certification Information: Includes details about who certified the death, such as the attending physician or coroner, and any contributing medical factors.
• Demographic Information: The deceased's age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and occupation.
• Disposition Details: Information about the method of disposition (burial, cremation, etc.), the date and place of disposition, and the funeral home or director responsible.
• Informant Information: The name and relationship of the person providing personal details of the deceased.
• Social Security Number: The Social Security number of the deceased.

The procedure to amend a North Carolina death certificate may vary depending on the changes needed. An addendum will be created to make the necessary corrections or changes, while the original record will remain unchanged.

Typically, amendments to death certificates will require:

1. A completed Request to Amend a Record: the registrant must sign the affidavit in the presence of a Notary Public.
2. Supporting documentation: Varies based on the requested amendment type or correction.
3. Appropriate fee(s): The state’s nonrefundable amendment search fee is $30.00, with an optional rush processing fee of $15.00. Make certified checks or money orders payable to “N.C. Vital Records.” Personal checks are not accepted.
4. Mail Submission: If you requested rush processing and included the applicable fee, write on the outside of your envelope, “EXPEDITE.”
   
   North Carolina DHHS - DPH Vital Records 1903 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699

You may need to obtain an apostille if you need to use a North Carolina death certificate for international purposes. An apostille is an official certification that verifies the document's authenticity for use in foreign countries that are members of the Hague Convention.

To obtain an apostille for a North Carolina death certificate, request it from the Secretary of State of North Carolina. Apostilles can be requested by mail or at the Secretary of State's office. You must submit the certified death certificate and a completed Apostille Request Form.

VRO offers comprehensive apostille services for death certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO's service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.

If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille to the North Carolina office of the Secretary of State in Annapolis, you will need to provide the following items:

1. The certified copy of the death certificate, with the original signature and seal of the current North Carolina State Registrar;
2. A payment of $10.00 per document.

Submit your request to the North Carolina Office of the Secretary of State at the following addresses:

In-person:

By Mail:

Ensure that you indicate the country to which the document will be submitted.