BIRTHS
  

 

Under North Carolina law (GS 130A-26A), it is a felony violation to fraudulently request a certified copy of a vital record or obtain, possess, sell, furnish, use, or attempt to use for any purpose of deception a North Carolina birth certificate.

The registration of birth records in North Carolina began in 1913.  Prior to that time, the State of North Carolina did not use birth records or certificates, so there are no birth records prior to 1913 in a state public office. An exception is if a delayed birth certificate was issued. A delayed birth certificate is one in which a birth was not reported and the proper paperwork was later submitted to prepare a delayed certificate. See the section on delayed birth certificates for more information.

Birth records are available in the Rockingham Register of Deeds Office for those births that occurred in Rockingham County. If the birth occurred in another North Carolina county and you know which county, you may contact the Register of Deeds in that county or you may contact the North Carolina Department of Vital Records in Raleigh, North Carolina.

 

TIME FRAME

 

Birth certificates for those who were born in Rockingham County date back to 1913 and are on file in our office. Birth records are not available on our internet public access site.

ELIGIBLE PARTIES

 

Pursuant to NCGS 130A-93(c):

North Carolina law allows the issuance of a certified birth certificate ONLY to:

  • The applicant

  • The applicant's spouse

  • The applicant's children

  • The applicant's parents

  • The applicant's brother/sister

  • The applicant's stepchildren/stepparents

  • The applicant's grandchildren/grandparents

  • Anyone seeking information for legal determination of personal or property rights.

  • An authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative of the applicant. Proof required.

REQUIREMENTS

 

To obtain a certified birth certificate (one with a raised seal):

  • You must be an eligible party as listed above

  • Complete form: Application for Certified Copy of Vital Record

  • Present a valid photo ID

  • Agents or legal representatives must furnish documentation of authority and identification to receive a certified certificate on an individual

  • Cost is $10 for each certified copy

ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION

 

One valid form of government-issued identification with a photograph, such as:

  • State Driver's License

  • State Issued Identification Card

  • U.S. Passport

  • Military Identification Card

COST

 

$10 per certified copy

 

No appointment is necessary and certificates are issued between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

 

TO REQUEST A CERTIFIED COPY OF A BIRTH RECORD BY MAIL

 

Write to us at:

 

Register of Deeds

PO Box 56

Wentworth, NC 27375

 

Complete the form: Application for Certified Copy of Vital Record  

   or

Send a letter and include the following information with your request:

  • Full Name at Birth

  • Date of Birth

  • Place of Birth (City or County)

  • Your Relationship to the Person whose Certificate is Requested

  • Your Signature

Enclose:

  • A copy of your valid, current driver's license.

  • Completed form: Application for Certified Copy of Vital Record

  • $10 for each certified copy requested (check or money order made payable to "Register of Deeds")

  • Stamped, self-addressed envelope

 

Rockingham County Contact Information

 

STREET ADDRESS

Register of Deeds

Rockingham County Courthouse

1086 NC 65, Suite 99

Wentworth, NC 27375

 

MAILING ADDRESS

Register of Deeds

Vital Records Division

PO Box 56

Wentworth, NC 27375-0056

 

PHONE

(336) 342-8820

 

 

To obtain birth records from other North Carolina Registers of Deeds offices, visit the website for the School of Government, Roster of North Carolina Registers of Deeds at www.sog.unc.edu/ for addresses and telephone numbers.

 

For more information, visit the Vital Records Division at the State Center for Health Statistics at: http://vitalrecords.dhhs.state.nc.us

 

Vital Records Contact Information

 

Vital Records - Mailing Address

1903 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1903

 

Vital Records  - Street Address

Cooper Memorial Health Building

225 N. McDowell Street

Raleigh, NC 27603-1382

 

Vital Records  - Telephone Number

(919) 733-3526

 

 

TO REQUEST AN UNCERTIFIED COPY OF A BIRTH RECORD BY MAIL

Please provide the following:

  • Full name at birth

  • Date of birth

  • Place (city or county) of birth

  • A check made payable to the "Register of Deeds" for $.25 for each uncertified copy requested, plus $1 processing fee.

  • A stamped, self-addressed envelope  
     

Other Websites of Interest:

 

How long does it take to obtain a copy? 
We try to answer our mail requests within 24 hours of receipt. If you walk into our office, it should take just a few minutes depending on the number of customers at the counter. If you complete the Application for Certified Copy of Vital Record form and bring it with you, it will save time.  

 

©2008 Rockingham County Register of Deeds