How to Get a Death Certificate in North Carolina
How to Get a Death Certificate in North Carolina
In North Carolina, you can get a certified death certificate from NC Vital Records in Raleigh, online through VitalChek, by mail, or from your county Register of Deeds. The first certified copy costs $24 (includes a search fee), and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $15. Order at least 8 to 12 copies, because every financial institution, insurer, and court filing requires its own certified original.
Where to Get a North Carolina Death Certificate
Two official sources issue certified copies of a death certificate in North Carolina.
NC Vital Records (State Office)
NC Vital Records, part of the Division of Public Health within the NC Department of Health and Human Services, is the central state office for death certificates.
- Address: 225 North McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
- Mailing address: NC Vital Records, ATTN: VC Certificate Orders, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
- Phone: (919) 733-3000 (Option 3 for certificates)
- Website: https://vitalrecords.nc.gov
- Records available: Deaths from 1930 to present
County Register of Deeds
Many county Register of Deeds offices issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in their county. Fees are typically $10 per copy, and many offices provide same-day service. This is often the fastest and cheapest option.
Ordering Methods
Online (VitalChek)
VitalChek is the only authorized online vendor for NC death certificates.
- URL: https://www.vitalchek.com
- Phone orders: 1-800-669-8310 (or 1-615-372-6800 outside U.S.)
- Total cost (standard): $24.00 (search fee) + $13.95 (VitalChek fee) = $37.95
- Total cost with overnight shipping: $37.95 + $20.00 = $57.95
- Each additional copy (same order): $15.00
- Payment: Credit card, debit card, or personal check via VitalChek
By Mail
- Download and complete the application form from https://vitalrecords.nc.gov/forms.htm
- Include payment: money order, certified check, or business check payable to "NC Vital Records"
- No personal checks or cash accepted by mail
- Mail to: NC Vital Records, ATTN: VC Certificate Orders, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
- For expedited processing, write "EXPEDITE" on the envelope and add $15 to your payment
In Person (By Appointment)
- Location: 225 North McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 (Cooper Memorial Health Building)
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM (last appointment at 2:30 PM)
- Appointment required: Book online or call (919) 733-3000, Option 3
- Payment: Cash accepted in person
- Expedited in-person service: Available by appointment with additional $15 fee
- Typical turnaround: Same day or next day
County Register of Deeds
- Available at the Register of Deeds office in the county where the death occurred
- Many offices provide same-day service
- Fees vary by county, typically $10 per copy
- No appointment usually needed
Fees Summary
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Search fee (includes 1 certified copy) | $24.00 |
| Each additional copy (same order) | $15.00 |
| Expedited processing (in-person by appointment) | $15.00 additional |
| Amendment to death certificate | $15.00 |
| VitalChek processing fee (online/phone) | $13.95 |
| UPS overnight shipping (optional) | $20.00 |
| County Register of Deeds (typical) | $10.00 per copy |
Important: The $24 search fee applies per 3-year search period. If the exact year of death is unknown and multiple periods must be searched, additional $24 fees apply for each 3-year period.
Who Can Order a Death Certificate
North Carolina restricts access to certified death certificates to individuals with a direct relationship or legal interest. Eligible requestors include:
- Spouse of the deceased
- Parent or legal guardian of the deceased
- Adult child or grandchild of the deceased
- Sibling of the deceased
- Legal representative of the estate (executor or administrator)
- Attorney representing an eligible party
- Government agencies with legal authority
Required documentation:
- Legible photocopy of valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or visa)
- Proof of eligibility showing relationship to the deceased
Information Needed to Order
When placing your order, have the following ready:
- Full legal name of the deceased
- Date of death
- Place of death (city or county in North Carolina)
- Requestor's name and relationship to the deceased
How Many Copies to Order
Order 8 to 12 certified copies. Here is what typically requires an original:
| Purpose | Copies Needed |
|---|---|
| Banks and credit unions | 1-2 per institution |
| Life insurance companies | 1 per policy |
| Retirement account administrators | 1 per account |
| Clerk of Superior Court (probate filing) | 1-2 |
| Social Security Administration | 1 |
| NCDMV (vehicle title transfer) | 1 |
| Real property (county Register of Deeds) | 1 per county |
| VA benefits (if veteran) | 1 |
Ordering all copies at once saves significant money: $24 for the first copy plus $15 each additional, compared to $24 per separate request.
Amendments
If the death certificate contains an error, you can request an amendment:
- Cost: $15.00 per amendment
- Requirements: Supporting documentation (court order, medical correction)
- Contact: NC Vital Records at (919) 733-3000
If the Death Occurred Outside North Carolina
If a North Carolina resident died in another state, you must obtain the death certificate from the state where the death occurred, not from North Carolina. Contact that state's vital records office. Conversely, if a non-resident died in North Carolina, the certificate must be obtained from NC.
Processing Times
Processing times vary by method and current demand. NC Vital Records maintains a processing dates page with current timeframes.
| Method | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|
| In person (by appointment) | Same day or next day |
| County Register of Deeds | Often same day |
| Online (VitalChek) | Check vitalrecords.nc.gov for current times |
| By mail (standard) | Check vitalrecords.nc.gov for current times |
Check current processing times: https://vitalrecords.nc.gov
What to Do Next
Once you have certified death certificates in hand, your next steps are to notify Social Security, close or transfer bank accounts, and file for probate if needed. For the full sequence, see the complete guide to what to do when someone dies in North Carolina.
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This guide was researched using NC Vital Records information current as of April 2026. Fees and processing times may change. For current information, visit https://vitalrecords.nc.gov.
Sources: NC Vital Records (vitalrecords.nc.gov); NC DHHS Vital Records (ncdhhs.gov); VitalChek (vitalchek.com)