Introduction to North Carolina Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a North Carolina Death certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal Death certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want a Death certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Death certificate.  

North Carolina Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By North Carolina state law, North Carolina Death certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the North Carolina Death Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the North Carolina Death Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the North Carolina Death Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the North Carolina Death Certificate
• Adult grandchildren of Person Named on the North Carolina Death Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the North Carolina Death certificate 
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the North Carolina Death Certificate

North Carolina Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain a North Carolina uncertified Death certificate.  Uncertified Death certificates are usually used for genealogy purposes.

North Carolina Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order North Carolina Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your North Carolina Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your North Carolina Death Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order North Carolina Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your North Carolina Death certificate online.  It usually takes 2-4 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the North Carolina Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the North Carolina Death certificate
• Date of Death on the North Carolina Death certificate
• Sex on the North Carolina Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the North Carolina Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose North Carolina Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the North Carolina Death certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health Vital Records Unit

1903 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1903

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in North Carolina: You may go to any county health department in the State of North Carolina to obtain a certified copy of a North Carolina Death certificate. Most North Carolina Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

North Carolina Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a North Carolina Death certificate is $24.00, which includes one certified copy of the North Carolina Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the North Carolina Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $15.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "North Carolina Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.