Bladen County Birth Certificate Records

The Bladen County Register of Deeds in Elizabethtown maintains birth records for the county. This office has certified copies of birth certificates for births that took place in Bladen County starting in 1913. Bladen County is located in the southern part of North Carolina, within the Cape Fear region. Getting a birth certificate copy here is a simple process that requires valid ID and a few basic details. You can visit the office in person or send your request by mail. The staff handles requests each weekday during business hours.

Bladen County Register of Deeds

The Register of Deeds office for Bladen County is at 106 W. Broad Street in Elizabethtown. This is the only local office that handles birth certificate requests. Visitors are welcome during regular business hours.

The fax number is (910) 862-6713. Mail should be sent to P.O. Box 247, Elizabethtown, NC 28337.

How to Get a Bladen County Birth Certificate

There are two ways to request a birth certificate from Bladen County. You can go to the office in Elizabethtown or mail in your request. The office does not have an online ordering portal at this time.

For in-person requests, bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You need to know the full name on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth, mother's maiden name, and father's name. State your relationship to the person on the record and sign the request form. Cash, check, and money order are accepted. A certified copy costs $10.00 each. Uncertified copies are $0.25 each.

Mail requests should include a completed application, a photocopy of your photo ID, payment by money order or certified check, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send everything to P.O. Box 247, Elizabethtown, NC 28337. The office will process your request and return the certificate by mail.

Eligibility for Bladen County Birth Records

Not everyone can get a certified birth certificate in North Carolina. The state has strict rules. Only specific people are allowed to receive certified copies. These rules protect personal privacy and prevent misuse of vital records.

• The person whose name is on the certificate
• A spouse, parent, sibling, or grandparent
• A child or grandchild of the person named
• Legal representatives with proper documentation
• Those seeking records for legal determination of personal or property rights

Valid photo ID is required for all requests. The NC vital records statutes define these requirements.

Note: Uncertified copies have broader access and are suitable for genealogical research purposes.

Bladen County Birth Records History

Bladen County was established in 1734 from New Hanover County. Elizabethtown has served as the county seat for most of the county's history. The county sits in southern North Carolina and is part of the Cape Fear region. It covers a large area and has a rich heritage tied to the Cape Fear River.

Formal birth recording in Bladen County started in 1913 under state mandate. Before that year, there was no official system for tracking births at the county level. Families relied on their own records. Church logs, Bible entries, and personal journals were common ways to document births. Delayed birth certificates exist for some residents born before 1913 who later registered with the state.

The NC State Archives Bible Records hold pre-1913 material from across the state. The FamilySearch Bladen County page provides genealogical indexes and historical resources for deeper research.

North Carolina State Vital Records

The NC Office of Vital Records provides birth certificates at the state level. The fee is $24 per certified copy, more than double the county's $10 charge. Processing by mail can exceed 110 days. The county office is the better choice when you need a record tied to Bladen County.

Third-party ordering is available through VitalChek. This service lets you order online or by phone. A convenience fee applies. VitalChek works for state office orders and some county orders. It can save time for people who live far from Elizabethtown.

The image below shows the NC Vital Records fee schedule page.

This page lists the fees charged by the state office for various types of vital record copies.

Additional Records in Bladen County

The Bladen County Register of Deeds keeps many types of records beyond birth certificates. Death certificates, marriage licenses, real estate records, assumed business names, and military discharge papers are all on file. The office serves as the official custodian for these documents under North Carolina law. The Bladen County government website has more information about departments and services in the county.

Bladen County covers a wide stretch of land in southern North Carolina. The county is one of the largest in the state by area. Its rural character and ties to the Cape Fear River have shaped the community for centuries. The courthouse in Elizabethtown sits at the center of county life. Land records, wills, and estate documents at the Register of Deeds office go back generations and serve as key tools for family history research.

Veterans can file DD-214 military discharge papers at the Elizabethtown office for permanent safekeeping. Assumed business name registrations are also processed here. For those tracing roots in the Bladen County area, checking both county and state records can help build a more complete family tree. The NC genealogical research page offers guidance on how to request uncertified copies and other records for family history work.

Note: The Register of Deeds office is the same location for real estate filings and vital records in Bladen County.

Nearby Counties

Bladen County borders several counties in southern North Carolina. Each has its own Register of Deeds for birth records and other vital documents.