Where to order a death certificate in North Carolina

North Carolina issues death certificates through the Vital Records Section of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. You can order by mail, in person, or online through the state's official portal. The fastest route is online ordering through VitalChek, which is the state's contracted vendor — you can receive a certificate within one to two business days if you pay for expedited shipping.

If you need the certificate urgently and live in North Carolina, you can visit the Vital Records office in person at 225 North McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Walk-in service is available, though wait times vary. Out-of-state residents can mail requests to the same address or use the online ordering system, which works from anywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • North Carolina's Vital Records Section is the only office that issues official death certificates, and you must order through them or their contractor VitalChek.
  • Online ordering through VitalChek is the fastest method and allows you to choose standard or expedited shipping, with delivery as soon as one to two business days.
  • You will need to provide the full name of the deceased, date of death, and your relationship to them, plus proof of identity and a reason for requesting the certificate.
  • The cost is $31 for the first certificate and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time, though VitalChek adds a processing fee and shipping charges.
  • If you cannot locate the death record or the person died before 1913, contact the Vital Records office directly because some older records are stored differently.

What information you need to provide

When you order, you must supply the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the county where the death occurred. If you do not know the exact date, provide the month and year or a range. The state will search for the record, but having the county narrows the search significantly and speeds up processing.

You will also need to state your relationship to the deceased and your reason for requesting the certificate. Common reasons include settling an estate, claiming life insurance, updating Social Security records, or obtaining a passport. The state uses this information to determine whether you have a legitimate reason to receive the document — you do not need to be a family member, but you do need a stated purpose.

Bring a valid photo ID when ordering in person, such as a driver's license or passport. If ordering by mail or online, you may need to provide a copy of your ID depending on the method you choose.

Ordering online through VitalChek

VitalChek is the state's official online vendor and is the fastest way to get a death certificate. Go to vitalchek.com, select North Carolina, and choose "Death Certificate." Enter the deceased person's name, date of death, and county. The system will search the state's records and display results if a match is found.

You will then select how many copies you want and choose your shipping method. Standard shipping takes five to ten business days. Expedited shipping costs more but delivers within one to two business days. VitalChek charges a processing fee on top of the state's $31 fee for the first certificate, so the total cost is typically $40 to $50 for one certificate with standard shipping, or $60 to $75 with expedited shipping.

Payment is by credit or debit card only. You will receive a confirmation email with a tracking number, and the certificate will be mailed to the address you provide. VitalChek does not email the certificate itself — it arrives by postal mail.

Ordering by mail or in person

To order by mail, send a written request to the Vital Records Section, 225 North McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Include the deceased person's full name, date of death, county of death, your full name, your relationship to the deceased, your reason for requesting the certificate, and your phone number. Enclose a check or money order for $31 per certificate (payable to "North Carolina Vital Records"), plus $5 for return postage.

Mail orders typically take two to four weeks to process, depending on how busy the office is. If you need the certificate faster, do not use mail — use VitalChek or visit in person instead.

To order in person, visit 225 North McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring your photo ID, the deceased person's full name and date of death, and payment. You can pay by cash, check, or card. Walk-in customers can usually receive a certificate the same day or within a few hours, though this depends on how many requests are ahead of you.

What to do if the death record is not found

If VitalChek or the Vital Records office cannot locate the death record, the person may have died before 1913, in a different county than you thought, or the record may be filed under a different name spelling. Contact the Vital Records Section directly at 919-733-3526 to discuss the search. Staff can help you narrow down the county or suggest alternative ways to locate the record.

If the person died before 1913, some records are held by county registers of deeds rather than the state. The Vital Records office can direct you to the correct county office. If the person died out of state, you will need to contact that state's vital records office instead.

Cost and payment methods

The state fee is $31 for the first death certificate and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. If you order through VitalChek, add a processing fee (typically $8 to $15) and shipping costs. Standard shipping is usually $5 to $10, and expedited shipping is $20 to $30, depending on how fast you need it.

If you order by mail, include $5 for return postage in addition to the $31 certificate fee. In-person payment accepts cash, check, or card. Online payment through VitalChek accepts credit and debit cards only.

How long the process takes

Online ordering through VitalChek with expedited shipping is the fastest option — one to two business days. Standard shipping through VitalChek takes five to ten business days. In-person ordering in Raleigh can be same-day or within a few hours. Mail orders take two to four weeks.

Processing time does not include weekends or state holidays. If you order on a Friday, the clock does not start until Monday. During high-volume periods, such as after a major event or during tax season, processing may take longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order a death certificate for someone who is not a family member?

Yes. You do not have to be related to the deceased. You must state your reason for requesting the certificate — common reasons include being an executor of an estate, a creditor, or someone handling legal matters. The state will review your reason and decide whether to issue the certificate.

What if I do not know the exact date of death?

Provide the month and year, or a range of dates if you are unsure. The Vital Records office will search within that timeframe. Knowing the county of death helps narrow the search. If you are still unsure, call 919-733-3526 and describe what you know — staff can help you locate the record.

Can I get a death certificate if the person died in North Carolina but I live out of state?

Yes. Use VitalChek online or mail your request to the Vital Records Section. Both methods work for out-of-state residents. Online ordering is faster and you can track your order. Mailing takes longer but does not require a credit card.

Do I need an original certificate or will a copy work?

Most institutions accept certified copies, which is what the Vital Records office issues. Some organizations, such as banks or insurance companies, may specify "certified copy" or "official copy" — these are the same thing. Ask the organization that needs the certificate what form they require before you order.

What if the death certificate has an error on it?

Contact the Vital Records Section at 919-733-3526 to report the error. You may need to file a formal amendment request and provide documentation of the correct information. The process and cost vary depending on what is wrong and how long ago the death was recorded.