Asheville Birth Certificate Records

Asheville is the largest city in western North Carolina and the county seat of Buncombe County. The Buncombe County Register of Deeds office is located right in downtown Asheville, making it easy for local residents to obtain birth certificates. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the meeting point of the Swannanoa and French Broad rivers, Asheville has a rich history that stretches back centuries. Birth records for the area are available from 1913 forward. The office serves all of Buncombe County from its Court Plaza location in the heart of the city.

Obtaining Asheville Birth Certificates

Asheville does not run its own vital records office. Birth certificates for Asheville residents are handled by the Buncombe County Register of Deeds. The office is at 60 Court Plaza in downtown Asheville. Walk-in service is available during regular hours.

A certified copy costs $10. Uncertified copies cost $1 each. The office takes cash, checks, Visa, and MasterCard. You must bring a valid photo ID and provide the full name on the certificate, the date of birth, place of birth, and names of both parents. Staff can usually process your request the same day. Marriage licenses are handled at a separate location on College Street, but birth certificates are only available at Court Plaza.

Buncombe County Vital Records Office

The Register of Deeds office also maintains real estate records, military discharge records, and assumed business name filings. An online records search is available through the county website. For mail requests, send your completed application, a copy of your ID, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Court Plaza address.

Note: Mail requests should include a money order or bank check for payment.

Who Can Request Asheville Birth Records

State law controls who can get a certified birth certificate. Not everyone qualifies. Under NC vital records statutes, the following people may request a certified copy:

• The person named on the birth certificate
• Immediate family members such as a spouse, parent, sibling, or grandparent
• Children or grandchildren of the person named
• Legal representatives with proof of authority
• Anyone with a legal need tied to personal or property rights

You will need to sign the request form and show a photo ID. If you are not the person named on the certificate, be prepared to prove your relationship. The office takes this seriously to protect personal information.

Below is a screenshot from the City of Asheville website, which serves as the main portal for city government services.

The city website links to county resources for vital records, including birth certificate requests.

Asheville Birth Record History

Buncombe County was formed in 1791 from Burke and Rutherford Counties. Asheville has been the county seat since the beginning. Birth records for the area start in 1913, when North Carolina began statewide vital records registration. Before that year, births were not officially tracked by the state or county.

For records before 1913, your options are limited. The Bible Records collection at the State Archives holds family Bible entries that document births, marriages, and deaths. Church records from Asheville's many historic congregations may also help. Delayed birth certificates exist for some people born before 1913 who later registered their births with the county. The FamilySearch Buncombe County page is a free resource for genealogical research in the Asheville area.

Ordering Asheville Certificates by Mail or Online

If you cannot visit the office in person, you have two other ways to get an Asheville birth certificate. You can mail your request to the Buncombe County Register of Deeds at 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801. Include a completed application, a copy of your photo ID, your payment, and a stamped return envelope.

You can also order through VitalChek online. The state office at NC Vital Records processes orders too, but it charges $24 and can take more than 110 days. The local county office is faster and cheaper at $10 per copy.

Note: The Buncombe County office can only issue certificates for births that occurred within Buncombe County.

Correcting an Asheville Birth Certificate

Errors on a birth certificate can be corrected through the amendment process. Common changes include fixing a misspelled name, adding a father's name, or updating information after a legal name change. The NC Vital Records amendment page explains the forms and steps required. Some amendments can be processed at the Buncombe County Register of Deeds, while others need a court order.

Adoption-related certificate changes are handled by the NC Office of Vital Records at the state level. The county office cannot process these requests. Once an adoption is legally finalized, the state issues a new certificate with the updated information. Contact the state office at 919-733-3000 for adoption cases.

Asheville Birth Certificate Uses

A certified birth certificate from Buncombe County carries the official county seal and registrar signature. This document is valid for all legal purposes. Common reasons Asheville residents request certified copies include passport applications, school enrollment, driver's license requests, and Social Security claims. If your original has been lost or damaged, the Register of Deeds can issue a replacement with the same legal standing.

Asheville attracts new residents from across the country. People who were not born in Buncombe County can still obtain their North Carolina birth certificate through the NC State Vital Records office in Raleigh. The state office processes requests for births from any county in North Carolina from 1913 onward at a cost of $24 per copy. The NC Vital Records FAQ page answers common questions about ID requirements and processing times.

Buncombe County Birth Records

All Asheville birth records are part of the Buncombe County vital records system. The Register of Deeds office serves Asheville, Black Mountain, Weaverville, and every other community in the county. For complete details on the county's birth certificate services, visit the full county page.

View Buncombe County Birth Records

Nearby Counties

Buncombe County is surrounded by several mountain counties in western North Carolina. Each county maintains its own birth records through its Register of Deeds office.