Get your certified North Carolina Divorce Certificate

The cost for a North Carolina divorce record varies by county. Certified copies of the divorce decree must be obtained from the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Contact the relevant clerk’s office for exact fees.

Yes. A legal representative, attorney, or authorized agent may request North Carolina divorce records on behalf of one of the parties. You will need a notarized affidavit or sworn statement confirming your authorization, or a valid Power of Attorney (PoA) document.

A North Carolina divorce certificate is a summary record confirming that a divorce took place. A divorce decree (judgment) is the full court order from the Superior Court that includes the terms of the divorce. Most legal and government purposes require the actual divorce decree.

A North Carolina divorce record is an official document issued by the North Carolina Vital Records Office or the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was granted. The document varies based on the type issued, but it generally includes key details about the dissolution of marriage.

The design and security elements of these certificates can differ significantly from state to state.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal names of the spouses.
• Date of Divorce: The exact date of divorce of the spouses.
• 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 divorce certificate.
• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

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

Since North Carolina does not issue divorce certificates for divorces before 1958, individuals requesting older records must obtain a certified divorce record directly from the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was finalized.

If you lose your divorce certificate:

1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the NCDHHS-NCOVR.
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county health department. The NCDHHS-NCOVR may accept walk-ins at their location.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the NCDHHS-NCOVR at:
      
      North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records
      Cooper Memorial Health Building 225 N. McDowell St. Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
      
   3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. NCDHHS-NCOVR will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

If there is an error on your North Carolina divorce record, you must request a legal amendment through the NCVR or the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Corrections can include spelling errors, incorrect dates, missing information, or incorrect party details. However, changes related to the terms of the divorce decree require a court order rather than a simple amendment request.

Steps to Amend a North Carolina Divorce Record

1. Determine the Type of Correction Needed
2. • Minor errors, such as typos or incorrect dates, may be corrected by submitting supporting documents.
   • Significant changes, such as a name change or missing spouse details, may require a court order.
2. Obtain the Amendment Request Form
3. • Request the Vital Records Amendment Application from NCVR or the Clerk of Court.
   • Some counties may have additional requirements, so verify with the local Clerk of Court.
3. Gather Supporting Documents
4. • A certified copy of the original divorce decree (available from the Clerk of Court).
   • A valid government-issued ID.
   • Court documents, if applicable, for significant amendments.
   • Additional proof of error, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate, if the issue involves a name discrepancy.
4. Submit the Application and Pay the Fees
5. • Standard Amendment Fee: $15 (varies by county).
   • Additional Certified Copies: $10 per copy.
   • Expedited Processing Fee: $15 (reduces processing time).
   • Payment must be made via money order or certified check, payable to NCVR.
5. Processing Time
6. • Standard Processing: 6 to 8 weeks.
   • Expedited Requests (with additional fee): 2 to 4 weeks.
6. Receive the Amended Divorce Record
7. • Once processed, the corrected divorce record will be mailed to you.

If the correction requires legal action, you may need to file a petition with the county court and obtain a court order before submitting the amendment request. For complex cases, consulting a family law attorney may be necessary.

To use your North Carolina divorce record internationally, an apostille will be required. These can be acquired through the Secretary of State’s office. Before pursuing authentication with an apostille, you will need to have a certified copy of your North Carolina divorce record.

You may choose to manually send your certificates to the North Carolina Secretary of State, or you may place an order through VRO. VRO provides apostille services for divorce certificates in Arkansas and is legally valid in more than 100 countries. This service costs $149 (plus government fees) and is completed in three easy steps.

1. Complete the VRO Apostille Express online application.
2. Submit the required documents for approval.
3. Receive your apostille document.

When your apostille is ready, it will be mailed to you via FedEx or DHL. You don’t need to be located in the U.S. to use this service - we can ship your documents anywhere in the world.

To order the apostille manually, follow these steps:

Steps to Obtain an Apostille for a North Carolina Divorce Record

1. Obtain a Certified Copy of Your Divorce Record: Request a certified divorce record from the NCVR or the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Ensure that the document bears an official seal and the registrar’s signature, as uncertified copies cannot be apostilled.
2. Complete the Apostille Request Form: Download and complete the Authentication Request Form from the North Carolina Secretary of State’s website. Indicate the country where the document will be used.
3. Prepare the Required Documents
4. • The certified divorce record.
   • A completed Authentication Request Form.
   • A self-addressed, prepaid return envelope (for mail applications).
   • A government-issued photo ID (if submitting in person).
4. Pay the Apostille Fees: Standard Apostille Fee: $10 per document. Payment must be made via check or money order, payable to the North Carolina Secretary of State.
5. Submit Your Request
6. • Walk-In/In-Person Submission:
   • • Visit the North Carolina Secretary of State Authentication Office South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
     • Office hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
     • Processing time: Same day or next business day.
   • Mail Submission:
   • • Mail your documents to: North Carolina Secretary of State – Authentication Office
     • PO Box 29622, Raleigh, NC 27626-0622
     • Processing time: 5 to 10 business days (excluding mailing time).
6. Receive Your Apostilled Divorce Record: In-person applicants will receive the apostilled document immediately or within a day. Mail applicants should allow for additional mailing time.

For urgent requests, expedited services may be available. For more details, visit the North Carolina Secretary of State's Apostille Services page or contact them at (919) 814-5400.