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.
Administering agency
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - NC Vital Records
State Vital Records in North Carolina: key facts
- Administering office
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - NC Vital Records.
- Mail orders
- North Carolina Vital Records, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900.
- Certificate fee
- $24 for the first certified copy; $15 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; expedited processing adds $15.
- Processing time
- 110-115 business days for 2025 orders (increased due to REAL ID demand).
- 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.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 5 days.
- Public record
- No time-based public release — eligibility rules apply regardless of how long ago the death occurred.
- Records available from
- 1930. For death certificates prior to 1930, contact NC State Archives. Some delayed records may exist back to 1909.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in North Carolina — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through VitalChek - only authorized vendor for state-issued certificates
- By mail: Mail completed application to NC Vital Records
- In person: Visit Register of Deeds in county where death occurred (often same-day), or state office by appointment only
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Valid photo ID
- Completed application
- Allow the office's processing time (110-115 business days for 2025 orders (increased due to real id demand)).
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - NC Vital Records
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by mail: Mail completed application to NC Vital Records. in person: Visit Register of Deeds in county where death occurred (often same-day), or state office by appointment only. Mail orders go to North Carolina Vital Records, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900.
The death certificate must be filed within 5 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Valid photo ID; Completed application. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in North Carolina primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - NC Vital Records