Beaufort County Birth Records

Beaufort County stores birth records at its Register of Deeds office in Washington, North Carolina. This Inner Banks county is one of the oldest in the state, formed in 1712. The Register of Deeds keeps birth certificates on file from 1913 forward. Certified and uncertified copies are available through in-person visits, mail requests, and online ordering. Beaufort County offers convenient access through its Permitium online portal, making it easy to request birth certificate copies without leaving home. The office staff in Washington can guide you through the steps if you have questions.

Beaufort County Register of Deeds

The Beaufort County Register of Deeds office sits at 112 W. 2nd Street in Washington. It handles all vital records requests for births, deaths, and marriages that took place in the county. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1029, Washington, NC 27889.

The fax number is (252) 975-9356. Walk-in visitors are welcome during business hours.

Ways to Get Beaufort County Birth Certificates

Beaufort County gives you three ways to get a birth certificate. You can visit the office, send a mail request, or order through the online portal.

In-person visits are the fastest. Bring photo ID and provide the full name on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth, mother's maiden name, father's name, and your relationship to the person. Certified copies cost $10.00 each. Uncertified copies are $0.25 each. Most walk-in requests are completed the same day.

Mail requests should go to P.O. Box 1029, Washington, NC 27889. Include a completed application, copy of your ID, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Money orders are preferred for mail payments.

The Beaufort County online ordering system lets you request certificates from any location. This portal accepts credit and debit cards. A small processing fee applies. It guides you through each step of the request.

Note: Online orders may take a few extra days compared to in-person visits due to processing and mailing time.

Beaufort County Out-of-County Birth Certificate Service

Starting June 1, 2025, Beaufort County Register of Deeds will offer an out-of-county birth certificate service. This new option lets the Beaufort County office process birth certificates for births that occurred in other North Carolina counties from 1971 to the present. It is a major change that makes the office more useful for residents who were not born locally.

This service means you can visit the Washington office and request a birth certificate even if the birth happened in a different part of the state. The same fees and ID requirements apply. Check with the office for details about this new program and any extra processing time it may require.

Who Can Request Beaufort County Birth Records

North Carolina law limits who can receive a certified birth certificate. The rules apply to every county office in the state. Eligible requestors include the person named on the certificate, immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with a legal need to access the record. Valid photo ID is always required.

The screenshot below is from the Beaufort County Register of Deeds page.

This page provides an overview of the office and its vital records services.

The NC General Statutes, Article 4 spell out the eligibility rules in full. These laws protect individuals while still allowing lawful access to birth records.

Beaufort County Birth Records History

Beaufort County was formed in 1712 from Bath County. It is one of the earliest counties established in North Carolina. Washington, the county seat, sits along the Pamlico River in the Inner Banks region. The area has deep colonial roots and a rich history.

Birth record keeping in the modern format began in 1913. Before that, families kept their own records. Church registers, family Bibles, and midwife logs were the main sources. The State Archives Bible Records collection has material from across the state. The FamilySearch Beaufort County page offers genealogical resources and historical indexes.

Below is a screenshot of the Beaufort County online ordering portal.

This portal lets residents and eligible requestors order birth certificate copies through the web.

State and Additional Beaufort County Resources

The NC Office of Vital Records serves as the state-level source for birth certificates. Its fee is $24, compared to the $10 county fee. State mail orders can take over 110 days. The Beaufort County office is faster for local births. The Beaufort County government website has links to all county departments.

The Register of Deeds also keeps death certificates, marriage licenses, real estate records, and military discharge papers. Online records search is available for many document types at this office. VitalChek is another option for ordering birth certificates online with a convenience fee.

Beaufort County's long history as one of North Carolina's oldest counties means the Register of Deeds holds records that stretch back centuries. Land grants, property deeds, and court orders from the colonial era are all part of the office's collection. The county seat of Washington sits along the Pamlico River and has deep ties to the area's maritime and farming traditions. Researchers tracing roots in the Inner Banks region often find rich material in the Beaufort County records.

Veterans can file DD-214 military discharge papers at the Washington office for permanent safekeeping. Assumed business name filings are also handled here. The office remains a central resource for all types of public records in Beaufort County.

Note: For births in other NC counties from 1971 onward, ask the Beaufort County office about the new out-of-county service.

Nearby Counties

Beaufort County is in the Inner Banks area of eastern North Carolina. Several neighboring counties also maintain birth records at their local offices.