North Carolina Genealogy Records

To begin, add a genealogy record or view a list of locations and resources for North Carolina genealogy records.

North Carolina genealogy records are maintained by the Vital Records Unit of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. This department handles all birth and death records from 1913 to the present. The department has no records whatsoever for any birth or death prior to 1913. The Register of Deeds in the county where the birth occurred may be contacted for birth information prior to 1913. The North Carolina State Archives has a limited number of death records for deaths occurring between 1909 and 1930.

Marriage and divorce records may also be needed for genealogy records. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has marriage records for 1962 to the present, and divorce records from 1958 to the present. The Vital Records Unit recommends that family researchers first look for any type of genealogy records in the county in which the ancestor lived. This is because in addition to the search fee, the Vital Records Unit also requires that an applicant for a vital record already know a great deal of the information contained in the record.