Effective January 1, 2026, North Carolina’s S.L. 2025-9 (Senate Bill 248) updates G.S. 48-9-107 and G.S. 130A to allow adopted individuals to request their new birth certificates directly from their local Register of Deeds office, just as non-adopted individuals do. Previously, these records were available only through the State Registrar.
The new law authorizes the adoptee, adoptive parents, the adoptee’s spouse, the adoptee’s children, and siblings within the adoptive family to obtain certified copies of the new birth certificate, which contains adoptive parent information only, from the county of birth.
Signed into law in 2025, Senate Bill 248 creates a more efficient and convenient process for families seeking this vital record. Under the prior system, requests had to be submitted through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records, a process that often took weeks or even months.
If a birth certificate for an adopted person born in Carteret County has not yet been digitized, the Carteret County Register of Deeds may request digitization through the NCOVR Portal. The law requires the State Registrar to complete digitization within two business days, significantly improving turnaround times.
This legislation provides important benefits for adoptees, their adoptive families, and Register of Deeds offices across North Carolina by allowing these records to be issued at the local level, improving timeliness and efficiency while maintaining the integrity and security of vital records.
Citizens who believe they may be eligible to request a birth certificate under the new law are encouraged to contact the Carteret County Register of Deeds Office for information regarding identification requirements and processing.
The Register of Deeds office is governed by North Carolina General Statutes and is responsible for maintaining and issuing vital records, including birth, death, and marriage certificates, serving as a trusted resource for the Carteret County community.
For more information about Senate Bill 248 or services provided by the Carteret County Register of Deeds, contact the office directly.