Get your certified North Carolina Marriage Certificate

An apostille is required when filing a vital record with a foreign government. The NC Department of the Secretary of State issues apostilles for vital records initially filed with the NCDHHS-NCOVR.

You can obtain an apostille for North Carolina vital records through the Department of the Secretary of State or Vital Records Online (VRO). VRO offers reliable apostille services across all 50 US states, recognized by governments in over 100 countries. VRO provides professional assistance for apostilles on birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, starting at $149 (plus government fees).

1. Complete the VRO Apostille Express online application.
2. Submit the required documents for approval.
3. Receive your apostille document.

Once you have completed the necessary apostille documentation, it will be sent to you via FedEx or DHL. The delivery will be made right to your doorstep using reliable courier services, regardless of your location, whether in the US or abroad.

To manually mail in a request, you will need to provide the following information:

• A completed NC Authentication Cover Letter
• Payment in the form of money order or check $10.00 per document, made out to the “NC Secretary of State.”
• The original document(s) with all certifications attached (certified copies of vital records).
• A return pre-paid envelope or carrier label (see Delivery Policy on Authentications Home Page).
• Documents may be directed to a third party as a convenience. Please include that information on the cover letter and address the pre-paid envelope to the third party.

You can submit requests for vital record apostilles to the Center for Health Statistics at the following addresses:

For express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), submit the request to the physical address:

NC Department of the Secretary of State, ATTN: Authentications,2 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

For standard mail, use the following address:

NC Department of the Secretary of State, ATTN: Authentications, PO Box 29622

You can reach the office at 919-814-5400 or online at https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/authentications/apostille_certificates.

If you lose your marriage certificate:

1. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the NCDHHS-NCOVR.
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county health department.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the NCDHHS-NCOVR at:
      , North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services,
      Office of Vital Records
      Attn: VC Certificate Orders,
      1903 Mail Service Center,
      Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
      Records
   3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. NCDHHS-NCOVR will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

Any changes made to the original document are recorded as addendums. However, the original document cannot be altered. The process for requesting changes or amendments may vary depending on the correction that needs to be made. For marriage certificate changes or replacements, contact the county Register of Deeds, where the marriage license was issued.

Correcting or amending vital records usually will require the following:

1. A completed amendment application;
2. Supporting documentation;
3. Appropriate fee(s);
4. A notarized, sworn statement completed by an authorized person.

Learn more about correcting or amending birth, death, and marriage certificates.

The REAL ID Act is a new federal law regarding driver’s licenses that may affect those individuals whose vital records do not match their driver’s licenses. To prevent delays when applying for your Real ID driver’s license, you are encouraged to review your birth and/or marriage records to ensure your name, sex, and date of birth are listed correctly.

• The DMV prefers a birth certificate when verifying your identity for the REAL ID.
• The deadline to obtain a Real ID has been extended to May 7th, 2025.records