NC Vital Records: Change a Record

See the adoptions page for processes and forms.

After acceptance for registration by the State Registrar, no birth certificate can be altered or changed except by a request to the state office. The State Registrar adopts rules governing the form of these requests and the type and amount of proof required.

Availability

Requests for modification of a birth certificate by amendment, correction, court order, or legitimation may be submitted at the following locations.

1. The county Register of Deeds where the birth occurred. Some county registers of deeds will provide this service for out-of-county vital events, so please check with your county Register of Deeds for the services they provide. Note: NC Vital Records is the only office through which you can request to modify or obtain a birth certificate for an adopted child.
2. N.C. Vital Records By Mail
   • Court Order: For certificate modifications that are requested pursuant to a court-ordered name change:
     • Mail us the completed Birth Certificate Modification Application Form in order to provide information necessary to locate the original birth certificate.
     • Be sure to write in the reason for the modification under Part II.
     • You must include a certified copy of the name change court order along with your request.
     • There is a nonrefundable fee of $39 to perform the record search and process the application to modify the birth certificate. This fee includes a copy of the amended certificate if the application is approved.
     • Please complete the application, have your signature notarized and supply all required identity documents and evidence prior to submission of the application. Search and processing fees are nonrefundable.
     • After the modified birth certificate containing the name change has been processed, you may order additional copies of the certificate. Information for how to order may be found on the Order a Certificate page.
     • Note that we cannot modify a field on a birth certificate if that field has been previously modified without a court order. If you are unsure whether the field you are requesting to modify has been previously modified, you may first submit a "Request to Amend a Record" form to our office. However, we encourage you to thoughtfully consider whether submission of this form could be required for your birth certificate, as additional processing time will apply.
       • If you determine that a Request to Amend inquiry is necessary, mail us the completed Request to Amend a Record Form with a $24 search fee (nonrefundable). Note: This form is used only to make a request and does not authorize any changes to the record. Additional processing times will apply.
       • After we receive your form with the requested change and the fee, we will evaluate your request and respond in writing with further instructions.
   • Legitimation: For certificate modifications that are requested pursuant to a legitimation:
     • A legitimation is a legal process for biological fathers to acknowledge their children when they marry the mother after the birth of the child. A new birth certificate may be issued reflecting the father's name, and the child's name can be changed to the father's last name if the parents agree and request the change. In some cases, a court order may be required.
     • Request a "Legitimation Affidavit for New Birth Certificate" at the county Register of Deeds where the birth occurred or by emailing us at [email protected].
     • Mail us the completed Birth Certificate Modification Application Form, including the completed legitimation affidavit and required identity documents indicated on pages 2-3 of the application.
     • Be sure to write in the reason for the modification under Part II.
     • There is a nonrefundable fee of $39 to perform the record search and process the application to modify the birth certificate. This fee includes a copy of the amended certificate if the application is approved.
     • After the modified birth certificate containing the name change has been processed, you may order additional copies of the certificate. Information for how to order additional copies may be found on the Order a Certificate page.
     • Note that we cannot modify a field on a birth certificate if that field has been previously modified without a court order. If you are unsure whether the field you are requesting to modify has been previously modified, you may first submit a "Request to Amend a Record" form to our office. However, we encourage you to thoughtfully consider whether submission of this form could be required for your birth certificate, as additional processing time will apply.
       • Mail us the completed Request to Amend a Record Form with a $24 search fee (nonrefundable). Note: This form is used only to make a request and does not authorize any changes to the record. Additional processing times will apply.
       • After we receive your form with the requested change and the fee, we will evaluate your request and respond in writing with further instructions.
   • See below for details for certificate modifications that are requested pursuant to a paternity acknowledgment or paternity judgment.

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Phone

984-236-7203

• Please note that we are experiencing higher than normal call volumes. You may experience longer than normal wait times or be given a callback option.
• Alternatively, you may contact us at NC Vital Records Inquiry. Please allow 3-5 business day response time.

This content is available on the Paternity Establishment page, which includes Affidavits of Parentage (AOPs), Court Orders for Paternity, and Disestablishment of Paternity.

After acceptance for registration by the State Registrar, no death certificate can be altered or changed except by a request. The State Registrar adopts rules governing the form of these requests and the type and amount of proof required.

Processing Locations in NC

This service is available at the following locations.

• The county Register of Deeds where the death occurred.
• N.C. Vital Records by mail.

Request Process and Fees through NC Vital Records

If you want to request a change to a death certificate through our office:

• Mail us the completed Death Certificate Amendment Application with a $24 search fee (nonrefundable) + $15 amendments processing fee = Total $39.
• Please review the full list of Death Certificate Amendment Required Proofs to amend each field on the death certificate, Identity Verification and Entitlement Requirements.
• Be sure to note on the form what type of change is needed.
• After we receive your form with the requested change and the fee, we will evaluate your request and respond in writing with further instructions.

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Phone

984-236-7203

• Please note that we are experiencing higher than normal call volumes. You may experience longer than normal wait times or be given a callback option.
• Alternatively, you may contact us at NC Vital Records Inquiry. Please allow 3-5 business day response time.

After acceptance for registration by the State Registrar, no fetal death report can be altered or changed except by a request. The State Registrar adopts rules governing the form of these requests and the type and amount of proof required.

Availability

This service is available through N.C. Vital Records by mail.

How To Request a Change to a Fetal Death Report

If you want to request a change to a death certificate through our office:

• Mail us the completed Request to Amend a Record Form with a $24 search fee (nonrefundable). This form is used only to make a request and does not authorize any changes to the record.
• Be sure to note on the form what type of change is needed.
• After we receive your form with the requested change and the fee, we will evaluate your request and respond in writing with further instructions.

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Phone

984-236-7203

• Please note that we are experiencing higher than normal call volumes. You may experience longer than normal wait times or be given a callback option.
• Alternatively, you may contact us at NC Vital Records Inquiry. Please allow 3-5 business day response time.

If you need to make a change to a birth or death certificate not listed above, please contact us at 984-236-7203 or mail in a completed Birth Certificate Modification Application Form.

• Please note that we are experiencing higher than normal call volumes. You may experience longer than normal wait times or be given a callback option.
• Alternatively, you may contact us at NC Vital Records Inquiry. Please allow 3-5 business day response time.