Vital Records

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The Guilford County Department of Public Health Vital Records Office is responsible for filing all births, deaths, and fetal deaths in Guilford County.

Birth Registration

A certificate of birth must be filed within 10 days with the local health department in the county where the birth occurred, regardless of the gestation period.

Who is responsible for filing the certificate with the local health department?
The hospital, medical facility, or qualified medical professional is responsible for filing all births with the local health department.

What information is required to register an intentional home birth?
If your child was born at home in Guilford County, their birth must still be registered within 10 days. If a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) was present for the birth, they will contact the health department. If there was not a CNM in attendance, please visit the below links for information and forms to register an unattended birth outside a medical facility:

Affidavit of Parentage

How do I add my child’s father to a birth certificate?
This service is by appointment only. Please call or email for more information.

Death Registration Information

The person who first assumes custody of the deceased body is responsible for completing the death certificate in NC DAVE. You do not need to fax an NOD (notification of death).

Burial Transit Permits

How do I obtain a burial transit permit?
During normal business hours, you must fax or email all requests for a Burial Transit Permit, and the deputy registrar will sign and return it to you.

Sub-Registrars including the Greensboro Detention Center (Jail) at 201 S. Edgeworth Street, in Greensboro issue all Burial Transit Permits after-hours (evenings, weekends, and holidays).

If the death occurred in a medical facility, they may have a sub-registrar on-site to issue Burial Transit Permits. Please visit the below link to access a Burial Transit Permit for completion:

Burial Transit Permit

Green Burials

Where can I get information on Green Burials?
For Green Burials please call or email for more information.

Non-Communicable Disease Letter

How do I obtain a Non-Communicable Disease Letter?
If the death occurred under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner, please contact the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) at 919-743-9000 (1-800-672-7024).

All other cases please call or email us for assistance

Birth and Death Certificate Copies

Where can I obtain a certified copy of a birth or death certificate?
Please visit the Guilford County Register of Deeds or call (336) 641-7556.

Where can I obtain a copy of a fetal death or stillbirth report?
Please contact the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health-Vital Records Unit at (919) 733-3000. An Application for a Copy of a North Carolina Report of Fetal Death and/or Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth must be completed.

Medical Examiner Cases

How do I contact the State Medical Examiners’ Office for results on pending Medical Examiner cases?
Please contact the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) at 919-743-9000 (1-800-672-7024) or via their website at www.ocme.dhhs.nc.gov for information on autopsy and toxicology results or pending causes of death.