Kannapolis Birth Records Guide

Kannapolis is a unique city that spans two counties in North Carolina. Parts of the city fall within Cabarrus County, while other parts are in Rowan County. This means that Kannapolis residents may need to contact one of two different Register of Deeds offices depending on where a birth took place. The city was incorporated in 1984 and has roots in the Cannon Mills textile empire. Birth records for the area are available from 1913 forward through the county offices in Concord and Salisbury.

Finding Kannapolis Birth Certificates

Kannapolis does not have a city vital records office. The first step is to determine which county the birth took place in. Most of Kannapolis falls within Cabarrus County, but the northern portion is in Rowan County. Your birth certificate will be at the Register of Deeds in the county where the birth occurred.

For the Cabarrus County portion, visit the Cabarrus County Register of Deeds in Concord. For the Rowan County portion, visit the Rowan County Vital Records office in Salisbury. Both offices charge $10 for a certified copy and are open Monday through Friday.

Note: If you are unsure which county your birth occurred in, either office can check their records and direct you to the right place.

Cabarrus County Office for Kannapolis

The Cabarrus County office is in Concord, about 10 miles south of Kannapolis. It handles birth records, death records, marriage licenses, and real estate records. Cabarrus County was created in 1792 from Mecklenburg County. The office accepts cash, checks, Visa, and MasterCard.

Cabarrus County has a special feature. The office can issue certified abstract copies of birth certificates for any person born in North Carolina from 1971 forward through the statewide birth database. The fee for out-of-county certificates is $24 for the first copy and $15 for each additional copy. This is useful for Kannapolis residents who were born in a different part of the state.

Rowan County Office for Kannapolis

The Rowan County office is in Salisbury, about 20 miles north of Kannapolis. Rowan County was created in 1753 from Anson County. Like Cabarrus County, the Rowan County office can issue out-of-county birth certificates for births from 1971 to the present. Certified copies cost $10 for in-county births.

The image below shows the City of Kannapolis website, the main portal for city government services.

The city website provides community information and links to county offices for vital records services.

Eligibility for Kannapolis Birth Records

North Carolina law limits who can request a certified birth certificate. The rules are the same at both the Cabarrus and Rowan County offices. You must bring a valid photo ID and be one of the following:

• The person named on the birth certificate
• A parent, step-parent, grandparent, or grandchild
• A spouse, sibling, child, or step-child
• A legal representative with documented authority

Both offices also allow requests by mail. Cabarrus County accepts mail requests at 65 Church Street SE, Concord, NC 28025. Include a completed form, a photo ID copy, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Online ordering is also available through the Cabarrus County records portal.

Kannapolis History and Vital Records

Kannapolis has a distinctive history tied to the textile industry. The city was a company town built around Cannon Mills, which at its peak was the largest towel and sheet manufacturer in the world. Cannon Mills was founded by James W. Cannon in 1887. The city was not incorporated until 1984, long after the mills had shaped the community. Today, Kannapolis is home to the North Carolina Research Campus and continues to grow.

For genealogy research, the FamilySearch Cabarrus County page is a free starting point. The State Archives holds older records that predate the 1913 start of official vital records. Church records and cemetery records from the Kannapolis area can help trace family lines back further. The Bible Records collection at the State Archives includes handwritten family entries from the Piedmont region. The NC Office of Vital Records provides statewide services for those who cannot visit a county office in person.

Kannapolis Birth Certificate Details

A certified birth certificate from either Cabarrus or Rowan County includes the official county seal and registrar signature. This document is accepted by all government agencies for legal purposes, including passport applications, school enrollment, and driver's license requests. If your original certificate has been lost, damaged, or stolen, the Register of Deeds can issue a replacement with the same legal standing.

When requesting a certificate, have the following information ready: the full legal name at birth, the date of birth, and both parents' full names. Accepted forms of ID include a driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, or military ID. The NC Vital Records FAQ page answers common questions about accepted identification and processing times.

The NC amendment page explains how to correct errors on a birth certificate. Common fixes include misspelled names and incorrect dates. Adoption-related changes go through the NC Office of Vital Records at the state level rather than through either county office.

Cabarrus County Birth Records

Most Kannapolis birth records fall under Cabarrus County. The county Register of Deeds in Concord serves Kannapolis, Concord, Harrisburg, and Mount Pleasant. For full details on the Cabarrus County office, visit the county page below.

View Cabarrus County Birth Records

Nearby Counties

Kannapolis sits near the border of Cabarrus and Rowan Counties, with several other counties close by in the central Piedmont.