North Carolina Birth Records Search
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services collects, maintains and handles North Carolina birth records.
North Carolina birth records are private, and only the following people can get a copy of yours: you, if you are 18 or older, your spouse, children, siblings, stepparents, stepchildren and your legal representative.
Table of Contents
You must prove your identity when requesting a North Carolina birth record search, and the following forms of photo ID are accepted:
- Driver’s license.
- State-issued ID.
- Passport.
- Military ID.
- Prison ID.
- Government agency photo ID.
- Student photo ID.
If you cannot supply one of those, you must provide two additional forms of ID like a temporary driver’s license, utility bill, bank statement, pay stub or other legal documents.
Types of North Carolina Birth Records
North Carolina offers the following types of birth records that you can choose to purchase:
- Uncertified Copy - an uncertified copy is not a legal document, and you cannot use it to prove your identity. It is for information purposes only and will be printed on plain, white paper.
- Certified Copy - a certified copy is legal proof of your identity, and you can use it when applying to school, for retirement benefits, to the military, or to get a driver’s license and passport.
You may also request amendment services to have a North Carolina birth record changed.
North Carolina Population
North Carolina is the 28th largest state in the U.S. with a population of 10.39 million people. Its growth rate of 1.13% makes it the 14th regarding growth in the country.
The state has a high population density with a total landmass of 53,819 square miles with 196 people living in each square mile. This statistic makes North Carolina the 15th most densely populated state in America. Charlotte is the largest city in the state with more than 827,000 people calling it home. The area was one of the original 13 U.S. States.
Population change from 2010-2016
Population by Gender
There are more women than men in North Carolina. The total population of North Carolina is estimated at 10,156,689 people with 4,946,038 male and 5,210,651 female. There are 264,613 more more women than men in the state, which is 51.30% of the total population.
The North Carolina Gender Ratio is 95 men to 100 women (99:100) or 0.95. State’s gender ratio is lower than the national average of 97 men to 100 women (97:100) or 0.97.
Gender ratio in 2016
Total population in 2016
Timeline of male/female population from 2010-2016
North Carolina Birth Statistics
The state's birth rate decreased to 12.09 births per 1,000 population in 2016 with 120,779 total births — the lowest in North Carolina history, and higher than the national birth rate - 11.95 births per 1000 women. The total number of births for 2016 was 120,779, 3.06% of the number of nationwide registered births.
State Birth Rate
Top 5 States with Lower/Higher Birth Rates than North Carolina
| Top 5 states with a lower birth rate than North Carolina | Top 5 states with a higher birth rate than North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Maryland - 11.73 | Missouri - 12.47 |
| Arizona - 11.68 | Mississippi - 12.59 |
| Vermont - 9.35 | Washington - 12.55 |
| Hawaii - 12.01 | Nebraska - 13.93 |
| Connecticut - 9.29 | North Dakota - 15.04 |
Top 5 Counties in North Carolina with the lowest/highest Birth Rate
| Top 5 counties in North Carolina with the lowest birth rate | Top 5 counties in North Carolina with the highest birth rate |
|---|---|
| Orange County - 8.22 | Onslow County - 21.16 |
| Henderson County - 9.54 | Cumberland County - 16.65 |
| New Hanover County - 10.03 | Harnett County - 14.22 |
| Buncombe County - 10.13 | Durham County - 14.19 |
| Catawba County - 10.64 | Mecklenburg County - 14.11 |
North Carolina Fertility Rate
In North Carolina the fertility rate based on historical data went from 62.86 to 61.22 from 2010-2016, and currently is lower than the crude fertility rate of the US - 60.31 births per 1000 women. The state reproductive age of the mother has seen an increase during the last 6 years, going from 27.19 to 28.16.
State fertility rate timeline with the average age of mother
Fertility Rate By County
The top reproductive counties of North Carolina are Onslow - 99.91, Craven - 77.59 and Cumberland - 76.32. For the fertility rates of the rest of the counties, please see the table below:
| County | Fertility rate |
|---|---|
| Wayne County | 69.76 |
| Harnett County | 67.62 |
| Robeson County | 65.87 |
| Rowan County | 64.81 |
| Johnston County | 63.13 |
| Randolph County | 62.68 |
| Mecklenburg County | 61.58 |
| Cabarrus County | 61.44 |
| Henderson County | 60.84 |
| Davidson County | 60.7 |
| Gaston County | 60.56 |
| Durham County | 60.55 |
| Iredell County | 60.26 |
| Forsyth County | 59.78 |
| Alamance County | 59.05 |
| Catawba County | 58.76 |
| Wake County | 56.62 |
| Guilford County | 56.08 |
| Brunswick County | 55.35 |
| Union County | 55.27 |
| New Hanover County | 47.02 |
| Pitt County | 45.61 |
| Orange County | 33.95 |
State Average Birth Weight and LMP Gestational Age
Where to Obtain a North Carolina Birth Certificate
North Carolina birth record requests from 1971 to present could take up to five weeks for processing. Orders for older or special birth certificate may take 6-8 weeks for processing. If you request expedited services and pay the additional fee, you can get a copy of your North Carolina birth certificate within 3-5 business days.
You can get same-day service in the Raleigh location only between 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also visit a county Register of Deeds office and may be able to get one there while you wait.
North Carolina birth certificates cost $24 for the first copy and $15 for each copy after. For expedited processing, add another $15 to the total.
You can pay with money order, certified check, business check or cash if in person. Make checks and money orders out to N.C. Vital Records. They do not accept personal checks.
You can also order them online with VitalChek and pay with a credit card.