How to Find North Carolina Birth Records

Statewide registration of births began in 1913 in North Carolina with general compliance by 1920.

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Next Step: When did the birth occur?

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 * Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's birth record:


 * Births before 1913
 * Births after 1913
 * I don't know when the birth is


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Births before 1913
Before 1913, no births were recorded by the county or state (exceptions being the cities of Raleigh (births begin 1890) and Wilmington (births begin 1904)). Delayed birth records are kept by each county's Register of Deeds. For most individuals, you must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births after 1913
In 1913, the State of North Carolina began recording births. If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases:

Obtain the Certificate
With full names, dates and places of an event, you can order a copy of the birth certificate for a fee from North Carolina Public Health, VitalChek, or the local county register of deeds.

Restrictions for ordering North Carolina birth certificates: To obtain a copy of the birth certificate, you must be:


 * The person on the certificate
 * The direct descendant of the person on the certificate
 * The spouse of the person on the certificate
 * The direct ancestor of the person on the certificate
 * The sibling of the person on the certificate
 * The legal guardian of the person on the certificate
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the birth certificate cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above.

'''If you do not want to order the birth record, there are other records with birth information you can search. ''' Return to top: Choose another birth year

Related Wiki Articles

 * Learn more about U.S. Birth Records
 * United States Record Finder
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Death Records
 * United States Marriage Records