Need a certified copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate issued in Wake County? We've got it - for just $10!
We will NOT have copies of records issued by other states. If you need a birth certificate for yourself or an immediate family member who was born anywhere in North Carolina from 1971 to present OR if you need a death certificate for anyone that has passed in North Carolina from 2021 to present, you or that family member can come IN-PERSON to the Register of Deeds office located at 300 S. Salisbury St. on the first floor of the Wake County Justice Center in Raleigh. We'll conduct the search and give you a certified copy for $24 ($15 for each additional). Please note: it's only our downtown location that offers birth certificates from other NC counties.
Need a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate right away?
The fastest way to get a certified copy is to come into one of our FIVE convenient locations listed below. Once you arrive, share your information and walk out with a certified copy of the certificate for just $10. Please check location information below for payment types: not all locations accept credit/debit, check or money orders for the $10 fee.
Remember, marriage licenses are different than marriage certificates. Apply for a marriage license before you get married for $60.
Who can get a copy?
You must be one of the following:
- The person or an immediate family member of the person on the certificate (immediate family members are spouses, siblings, parents, children, grandchildren or step-family member)
- Someone seeking information for a legal determination of personal or property rights
- An authorized agent, attorney or legal representative of a person listed above.
How can I make my in-person request even faster?
- Make sure you bring your driver's license or a valid passport.
- Check to make sure the location accepts cash, check, money order or credit/debit cards for the $10 fee.
- You can get familiar with the kind of information we'll need when you arrive by checking out the online application:
Can't come in-person to one of our five convenient locations?
You can order certified copies of birth, marriage or death certificates online. Please note, we receive hundreds of requests and work through them as quickly as possible in the order they’re received, but it can take up to two days to process. Once processed, it can take another 7–10 business days for the certificate to be mailed to you by the U.S. Postal Service or shared with you online.
You can also download the application above, fill it out and mail in your request. Make sure you sign it, include a copy of your driver's license or passport, and place a check or money order for $10 in the envelope. Again, it may take two days to process and 7–10 days to come in the mail. So, if you need a certificate quickly, coming in-person to one of our five locations is the best option!
All adoption requests are processed with the North Carolina State Vital Records, 919-733-3000.
If you don't know the North Carolina county where a vital record was filed, visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records website.