Chowan County Birth Certificates

Chowan County holds birth records at its Register of Deeds office in Edenton. This small northeastern North Carolina county has served residents since 1668, making it one of the oldest in the state. The office keeps certified and uncertified copies of birth certificates for births that took place within county lines. Residents and eligible family members can request vital record copies in person or by mail. The Chowan County office processes these requests during regular business hours each weekday. Whether you need a certified copy for legal use or a basic copy for personal records, the Edenton office can help.

Chowan County Register of Deeds Office

The Chowan County Register of Deeds sits at 101 S. Broad Street in Edenton. Staff there handle birth certificates, death records, marriage licenses, and real estate filings. The office also stores military discharge records and assumed business names. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-in visits are welcome during those hours.

The fax number for the office is (252) 482-4730. You can also visit the Chowan County government website for general county information and department contacts.

How to Get Birth Certificates in Chowan County

You can request a Chowan County birth certificate in person at the Edenton office. Bring a valid photo ID such as a state ID, driver's license, or passport. You will need to give the full name on the certificate, the date of birth, the place of birth, the mother's maiden name, and the father's name. Staff will also ask for your relationship to the person named on the record and your signature.

Certified copies cost $10.00 each. Uncertified copies are just $0.25 per page. The office accepts cash, checks, and money orders as payment. Processing times are typically quick for in-person visits.

The screenshot below shows the Chowan County Register of Deeds page with office details.

This page lists the services and contact details for the Chowan County vital records office.

Birth Records by Mail in Chowan County

Mail requests go to Chowan County Register of Deeds, P.O. Box 46, Edenton, NC 27932. Each request must include a completed application form, a copy of your photo ID, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Money orders and checks are the best payment methods for mailed requests. The office will mail your certified copy back once the request is processed.

Include a clear return address on the envelope. Double-check that your payment matches the number of copies you want. Each additional copy adds another $10.00 to the total. If you are ordering more than one type of record, list each one separately in your request letter.

Note: Allow extra time for mail delivery when sending requests to the Chowan County office.

Who Can Request Chowan County Birth Certificates

North Carolina law limits who can get certified birth certificate copies. Not just anyone can walk in and request one. The rules are clear about eligibility.

• The person named on the birth certificate
• A spouse, parent, sibling, or child of that person
• Grandparents and grandchildren
• Legal representatives or attorneys
• Those with a legal need tied to personal or property rights

Uncertified copies are open to the public. These work well for genealogy and personal research. For legal matters such as passports or name changes, you will need a certified copy. The NC Office of Vital Records provides additional guidance on eligibility rules under NC General Statute 130A-93.

Chowan County History and Vital Records

Chowan County was created in 1668 as Shaftesbury Precinct of Albemarle County. It ranks among the oldest counties in all of North Carolina. Edenton served as an early colonial capital and played a key role in the state's founding. The county sits in the northeastern corner of the state, along the Albemarle Sound.

Statewide birth registration in North Carolina began in 1913. Before that year, births were not consistently recorded at the county level. For births before 1913, family bibles, church records, and census data may serve as alternatives. The NC State Archives bible records collection can be a useful resource for older Chowan County births. The FamilySearch Chowan County page also provides genealogy tools and historical vital record indexes.

The image below comes from the Chowan County government website.

The county website links to all departments including the Register of Deeds office. Chowan County's long history means many families have deep roots in the area, making genealogy research a common reason for requesting older vital records and uncertified copies from the Edenton office.

Other Ways to Order Birth Records

If you cannot visit the Edenton office or send a request by mail, other options exist. The VitalChek website lets you order certified vital records online from many North Carolina counties. You can also contact the state vital records office in Raleigh to order copies of any North Carolina birth certificate. State-level orders cost $24.00 and may take longer to process, but they cover births from any county.

For corrections or changes to a birth certificate, the NC amendment process outlines the steps and fees involved. Residents of Chowan County who need help deciding between local and state options can call the Edenton office at (252) 482-8431 for guidance. Staff there can explain which method works best for your situation and how long each option typically takes.

Nearby Counties

Several counties border Chowan County in northeastern North Carolina. If your birth took place in a neighboring county, you will need to contact that county's Register of Deeds instead.