There may be one of many reasons that you need to replace your original birth certificate if you were born in the state of North Carolina. The fact is if you need to get your North Carolina birth certificate replaced, there are various ways to go about getting it, including online ordering, getting your birth certificate in person, and ordering via mail service or by phone. You will need to have certain documentation to make sure that you are who you say you are. You will also need to make sure that you are getting an official copy of your birth certificate, which includes the raised, embossed state seal.
Go In to Get Your Birth Certificate
If you opt to go in and order your North Carolina birth certificate from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, you can get same day service if you visit the main office in Raleigh. Same day walk-in service is available from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm Monday through Friday except on state holidays. You must go to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Office in Raleigh at N.C. Vital Records 225 North McDowell Street Raleigh, N.C. 27603-1382.
If you do request a replacement birth certificate, you must be the authorized registrant or the person whose name appears on the birth certificate, a parent or guardian, a legal representative such as a district attorney or law enforcement agent acting in the line of duty, or an adoption agency verifying live birth. The fee for obtaining your birth certificate in this manner is $24.00 plus an additional expedited fee of $15.00. Whether the record is found or not, these fees are non-refundable.
Ordering Online
Like many other states, North Carolina utilizes VitalChek for their online birth certificate order processing. Your birth certificate will be received within 3-6 weeks after receipt, but expensive. The state of North Carolina’s normal fee is $24.00 plus postage. You must also pay an additional $9.95 processing fee for using a credit card via VitalChek plus a $15.00 fee for FedEx/UPS service inside the continental United States. If you are ordering from an international location, additional fees still apply. You will still have to provide supporting documents that prove your identity to get your replacement birth certificate.
VitalChek also allows you to order your birth certificate over the phone for additional fees. Total cost for ordering over the phone is $68.00.
Requesting by Mail
There is always the option of ordering your North Carolina birth certificate via snail mail. You will need a copy of a valid photo identification card and you must be the named person on the birth certificate or the parent or guardian of the person named on the birth certificate. You will also have to process your request via check or money order. Send requests for mail certified copies of your birth certificate to N.C. Vital Records 225 North McDowell Street Raleigh, N.C. 27603-1382. The fee is $24.00 plus postage. Your request is processed within 2 days of receipt of request.
While there are several different methods for obtaining your North Carolina birth certificate, your time, method of payment and fee amount will depend on how you would like to receive it. You can order your birth certificate online, via mail or go in and request a copy in person.
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