North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - NC Vital Records

North Carolina · Vital Records

vitalrecords.nc.gov/order.htm

State Vital Records in North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - NC Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in North Carolina. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.

Steps to takeKey facts

Steps to take when someone dies

1
Confirm the death occurred in North Carolina; the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
2
Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
  • •Online: Order through VitalChek - only authorized vendor for state-issued certificates
  • •By phone: Call VitalChek toll-free at 1-800-669-8310 (outside the U.S., 1-615-372-6800)
  • •Mail the completed death certificate application, ID and payment (payable to VitalChek) to North Carolina Vital Records, ATTN: VC Certificate Orders, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
  • •In person: State office by appointment only (call 919-733-3000, Option 3); expedited service
  • •In person: Register of Deeds in the county where the death occurred (not the county of residence); same day in most cases
3
Include what the office requires with the order:
  • •Completed application
  • •Photocopy of one current photo ID (driver license, state ID, passport, military ID), or two different alternate documents showing current address
  • •Proof of eligibility for a certified copy (e.g., attorney ID and bar card plus retainer agreement for a legal representative)
4
Allow the office's processing time (2 business days for deaths 2022 to present; 11 business days for deaths 1930 to 2021 (keyed to shipped), plus delivery time).

State Vital Records in North Carolina: key facts

What North Carolina says9

Administering office

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - NC Vital Records.1

Office location and hours

Cooper Memorial Health Building, 225 N. McDowell St., Raleigh, NC 27603-1382. Call center 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Mon. - Fri.; in-person appointments 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Mon. - Fri. (last appointment 2:30 p.m.).1

Mail orders

North Carolina Vital Records, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900.1

Certificate fee

$24 for the first certified copy; $15 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; expedited processing adds $15.1

Processing time

2 business days for deaths 2022 to present; 11 business days for deaths 1930 to 2021 (keyed to shipped), plus delivery time.1

Who may order

The person, or their spouse, sibling, direct ancestor or descendant, stepparent or stepchild; A person seeking information for a legal determination of personal or property rights; An authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative of the above; A funeral director or funeral service licensee.1

An agency acting as a confidential intermediary under G.S. 48-9-104.1

Filing deadline

The death certificate must be filed within 5 days.2

Public record

Any requester may obtain a copy of a death record with no waiting period; certified copies follow the eligibility rules.1

Records available from

1930. For death certificates prior to 1930, contact NC State Archives. Some delayed records may exist back to 1909.1

Governing law: N.C. Gen. Stat. 130A-112

Sources2

  1. 1.North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - NC Vital Records
  2. 2.North Carolina death-certificate filing rule (N.C. Gen. Stat. 130A-112; N.C. Gen. Stat. 130A-113; N.C. Gen. Stat. 130A-115; N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-210.27A; N.C. Gen. Stat. 65-77; N.C. Gen. Stat. 160A-341)

North Carolina vital records offices

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - NC Vital Records

Phone

919-733-3000

Hours

Call center 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Mon. - Fri.; in-person appointments 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Mon. - Fri. (last appointment 2:30 p.m.)

Mailing address

North Carolina Vital Records, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
Verified Oct 2026

Tools for Settling an Estate in North Carolina

Free tools for settling an estate in North Carolina: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

In North Carolina, certified death certificates come from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - NC Vital RecordsNorth Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - NC Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $24North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - NC Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, additional copies $15North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - NC Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source each.

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How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in North Carolina: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysN.C.G.S. §§ 28A-20-1, 28A-20-3, 28A-20-4Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsNCGS §§ 28A-14-1, 28A-19-1, 28A-19-3, 28A-19-6, 28A-19-16Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.

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