North Carolina Birth Records Search

The State offers the following types of NC 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.

The state 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 the area 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.

Timeline of male/female population from 2010-2016

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

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 County - 99.91, Craven County - 77.59 and Cumberland County - 76.32. For the fertility rates of the rest of the counties, please see the table below:

State Average Birth Weight and LMP Gestational Age

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.

NC 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 via North Carolina birth records search online with VitalChek and pay with a credit card.

North Carolina Department of Public Health