1.  What birth records can I access at the Rockingham County Register of Deeds office?

Birth records beginning in 1913 for those births that occurred in Rockingham County.

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2.  How do I obtain a certified copy of my birth certificate?

You must either come in person to our office with a valid, government-issued photo identification or submit a written request.

Click here for a form you may use to request a certified copy of a birth certificate. Or,you may submit a written request and include the full name at birth, date of birth and both parents' names. You must sign your request, provide your relationship to the person named on the certificate.

Send a copy of your picture identification along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope.  

The fee ($10 per certified copy) must accompany your written request. We strive to process the request within 24 hours of receipt.

NC Vital Records maintains birth, adoption and death records for the state of NC.  For more information, visit their web site or call NC Vital Records at (919)733-3526. 

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3.  Who may obtain a certified copy of my birth certificate?

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.

Proper picture identification and fee must be presented, and the appropriate form "Application for Certified Copy of Vital Record" completed.

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4.  If I was born in Rockingham County and adopted, is my original birth record available at the Register of Deeds?

No. North Carolina law prohibits public inspection of any adoption records, including original birth records. You will need to contact the NC Department of Health & Human Services Vital Statistics at (919) 733-3526 or visit http://vitalrecords.dhhs.state.nc.us/vr/index.html for more information.

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5.  What is the cost of a Birth Certificate?

A certified copy of a birth certificate (with raised seal) is $10 per copy. An uncertified copy of a birth certificate is .25 per copy in person. If the request is by mail, add $1 for processing and enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope for faster return.

We accept checks and money orders by mail, made payable to the Rockingham County Register of Deeds. Cash may be used when a request is made in person - please do not send cash in the mail.

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6.  What are the acceptable forms of identification?

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

• State Driver's License

• State Issued Identification Card

• U.S. Passport

• Military Identification Card

Agents, attorneys, or legal representatives must also furnish documentation of authority in order to receive a certified certificate on an individual.

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7.  How long does it take to obtain a copy?

We try to answer our mail requests within 24 hours of receipt of request.  If  you walk into the office, it should take just a few minutes depending on the number of customers ahead of you.

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8.  How can I add the father’s name to the child’s birth certificate? We are not married.

The Affidavit of Parentage can be processed at the Rockingham County Public Health Department prior to the child's eighteenth (18th) birthday. You will need to make an appointment and both parties must present a valid driver's license or state-issued identification card. You may contact the Rockingham County Public Health Department at (336) 342-8215.

If a father's name is shown on the birth certificate, a court order may be necessary to change it.

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9.  My child’s father and I were married after the birth of our child. We want to give the child the father’s last name and add the father’s necessary information to the birth certificate. How is this done?

This process is referred to as a Legitimation Proceeding. If the mother was unmarried prior to conception, we may be able to help you with this proceeding. You can speak to a staff member for assistance.

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10.  What if a birth certificate was never filed on me?

You will need to visit our office and complete a Delayed Birth Certificate form that we will forward to Vital Records in Raleigh on your behalf. You must furnish a minimum of three records from independent sources which need to be notarized or certified by the proper authority which shows the facts to be proven. Due to changing criteria and complexity of certain records, we suggest you call our office before bringing in proofs that may be insufficient.  Visit our section on Fees for the cost and our section on Delayed Births for more information.

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11.  Can I file a delayed birth certificate on behalf of another?

A parent can file a delayed certificate of birth for a minor child. Once a person reaches the age of majority, they must file and sign for themselves.

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12.  What if I find an error on my birth certificate?

We can file an amendment with the NC Vital Records on your behalf if a correction can be made. We strongly encourage you to phone our office prior to coming in so we can determine what the error is and whether or not we will be able to assist you, and what proofs you should bring with you. If the error is one in which the change will need to be made by Court Order or other means, a phone call will save you time and the inconvenience of making a personal appearance to our office only to be told we will are unable to file the amendment.

You may also visit our section on Births for additional information.

If you are in a hurry, Vital Records has an expedited service that is available for an additional charge - visit our section on Fees for this information.

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13.  How do I get a birth certificate if I was not born in North Carolina?

If you were born inside the United States:

Birth certificates are maintained by each state for the people who are born in that state. Contact the county or state vital records in the state where you were born to get a copy of your birth certificate. You may also visit the National Center for Health Statistics for their publication "Where to Write for Vital Records" at http://www.schs.state.nc.us/SCHS for information.

 

Born outside the United States:

If you were born outside the United States and your parents were United States citizens at the time of your birth, you can write to --

US Department of State
Washington Passport Agency
1111 - 19th Street - NW Suite 300
Washington DC 20522-1705
(202) 647-0518

 

See section on "Births" for more information.