What are North Carolina Vital Records?
North Carolina's vital records consist of birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records Office is the government office in charge of vital records. Their mission statement includes "responsibility for legally registering all births, deaths, fetal deaths, marriages, and divorces which occur in North Carolina; coding these events for statistical purposes; maintaining these records; and providing certified or uncertified copies to individuals, researchers, and public health programs." They go on to explain that "Individual vital records are legal documents that are preserved in a secure environment and may be corrected, amended or replaced over time." They allow citizens to request copies of vital records in person, by mail or online.
North Carolina Birth Records
North Carolina has birth records dating back to 1913. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records Office is the agency in charge of birth records, and they allow people to request copies. Birth records are not public records, so only certain people can request a copy of yours. The Vital Records Office allows you to get certified copies of birth records in person, through the mail or online. Birth certificates are necessary when you apply for a passport, driver's license, government job, insurance, attend school, sign up for sports, and other instances when you need to validate your identity and age. Birth records are not public records. Therefore, only close family and legal representatives may get copies.
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina Birth Records
North Carolina Death Records
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records Office is the government agency in charge of death records. They have them from 1930 to the present. This agency offers walk-in service at their Raleigh office during regular business hours so you can get a copy instantly if you qualify. Death records are not public records, and only authorized personnel may get copies. Death records are helpful when you need to apply for death benefits, insurance, or prove someone's passing.
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina Death Records
North Carolina Marriage Records
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records Office has marriage records from 1962 until the present day. However, the Register of Deeds in each local county keeps records much older, and you can contact them for copies if the Vital Records Office does not have what you need. The agency allows only authorized people to request copies of marriage certificates because they are not public records. You can get them online or by phone using VitalChek, in person at their Raleigh office, or through the mail using their downloadable form.
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina Marriage Records
North Carolina Divorce Records
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records Office has divorce certificates from 1958 to the present. You can find older divorces records with the county clerk of the court where the divorce was granted. North Carolina uses a consolidated form to order death, marriage, and divorce certificates. Divorce records in North Carolina are not public records, and only close family members and legal representatives can get copies. The Vital Records Office allows you to order copies through the mail, in person at their walk-in service center, or online and phone using VitalChek.