NC Vital Records: General Issuance Processing Dates
Estimated Time for Regular Certificates
- Estimates are from the date the request is keyed into the system to the date the requested service is shipped.
- Dates below do not apply to special registrations / amendments: birth or death certificate amendments, legitimations, court-ordered name changes, adoptions, paternities (including affidavits of parentage / AOPs), or delayed registration of birth.
- Expedited in-person service is available by appointment only.
| Service | Average Processing Time for Orders |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificates - 1971 to present | 3 weeks |
| Birth Certificates - 1913 to 1970 | 30-90 days |
| Death Certificates - 2022 to present | 3 weeks |
| Death Certificates - 1930 to 2021 | 30-90 days |
| Marriage Certificates - 1962 to present | 9 months |
| Divorce Certificates - 1958 to present | 9 months |
Payment Processing and Order Delivery
- For orders placed through our office there is a $24 search (and one copy) fee per each three-year period (or portion thereof) that is nonrefundable, even if a record is not found, which means we must process payments before completing the order.
- Due to order volume and system migrations from paper to electronic, there will usually be a lag time between your payment being processed and orders being completed and delivered to you, especially if there are issues to be researched and addressed with orders (e.g., amendments to certificates).
- If a record is not found during the search, then we will be in touch.
- Payments above the $24 search fee can be refunded when a record is not found and an order is cancelled.
Resources and Contacts
- VitalChek Orders: If you placed an order online or by phone through VitalChek, you can check order status through their Manage My Order / Order Status page.
- Phone numbers, including for amendment and adoption inquiries, are available on the Contacts page.
Other Ordering Options
If our current processing times do not meet your needs, you may want to try one of the options listed below.
- Birth, death or marriage certificates may also be obtained from the Register of Deeds in the county of the event.
- Divorce certificates may also be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce is filed.
Last Modified: April 9, 2026