Access Craven County Birth Records

Craven County keeps birth records at its Register of Deeds office in historic New Bern. Created in 1705 as Archdale Precinct of Bath County, Craven is one of the oldest counties in the state. New Bern once served as the first permanent capital of North Carolina. The Register of Deeds office maintains birth certificates for all Craven County births from 1913 to the present. Requests can be made in person at the New Bern office, online through the county portal, or by mail. Both certified and uncertified copies are available.

Craven County Birth Records in New Bern

The Craven County Register of Deeds office is at 226 Pollock Street in New Bern. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office handles birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and delayed birth records. Staff can also help with real estate filings, military discharge recordings, and other public records. The New Bern office serves a sizable population and processes a steady volume of vital record requests each year.

The fax number for the office is (252) 636-1937. The Craven County vital records page provides details on available services and required forms.

Ordering Craven County Birth Certificates

Certified birth certificates cost $10.00 per copy. Uncertified copies are $0.25 each. You can request records three ways in Craven County. Visit the New Bern office in person. Order through the Craven County online ordering system. Or send your request by mail with the required documents.

For each request, you must provide the full name on the certificate, date of birth, mother's maiden name, father's name, your relationship to the person named, and your signature. A copy of valid photo ID is required. The office accepts state IDs, driver's licenses, passports, and military ID cards.

Below is a screenshot of the Craven County online ordering portal for vital records.

The portal allows you to submit birth certificate requests and pay online from anywhere. Credit and debit cards are accepted through the system. This option is especially convenient for people who live outside the New Bern area or who need a certificate quickly without waiting for mail processing.

Note: Online orders may include additional fees for processing and shipping.

Mail Requests for Craven County Vital Records

Send mail requests to Craven County Register of Deeds, 226 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC 28560. Your envelope should include a completed application form, a photocopy of your valid ID, payment by check or money order made out to the Craven County Register of Deeds, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your certificate.

Mail processing takes longer than in-person or online requests. Plan for at least one to two weeks for delivery. If you need a certificate fast, the in-person option at the New Bern office is the quickest route. Make sure every item is included in your mailing. Missing documents or incorrect payments will cause delays. The office will reach out if something is missing, but this adds time to the overall process.

Who May Receive Certified Birth Copies

Craven County follows state rules on who can receive certified birth certificates. Eligible requestors include:

• The person named on the record
• Immediate family members including spouse, parents, siblings, children, and grandparents
• Legal representatives and attorneys
• Anyone with a legal need for personal or property rights determination

Uncertified copies are available to the general public. Delayed birth certificates are also on file at the Craven County office for individuals whose births were registered after the normal filing period. The NC Vital Records office can provide guidance on delayed registration for births that occurred in any county.

Craven County Historical Records

Craven County dates back to 1705 and carries deep historical roots. New Bern was the colonial capital of North Carolina and home to Tryon Palace, the governor's residence during the colonial era. The county sits at the meeting point of the Neuse and Trent rivers in the eastern coastal plain.

Birth registration across the state started in 1913. Records from before that year are rare. For early Craven County genealogy, the FamilySearch Craven County page provides historical indexes and research guides. The NC State Archives bible records can also help fill in gaps for pre-1913 births in the New Bern area and surrounding communities. Because New Bern served as the colonial capital, some older records may exist in state collections even when county-level files are not available. Census records, church registries, and court documents from the 1700s and 1800s provide another avenue for tracing births in Craven County before formal registration began.

Craven County Birth Certificate Amendments

If you need to correct a name, fix a spelling error, or add a father's name to a Craven County birth certificate, the amendment process handles those changes. Contact the office at (252) 636-6617 for details on local options. The NC amendment page lists the full requirements for changes that go through the state office.

Craven County residents seeking to correct a birth record should gather all supporting documents before starting the process. Having court orders, notarized statements, or other proof ready speeds things up. The Register of Deeds staff in New Bern can advise on what is needed for your specific type of correction.

Note: Some amendments require supporting documents such as court orders or affidavits.

Nearby Counties

Craven County is surrounded by several eastern North Carolina counties. If your birth occurred outside Craven County lines, contact the neighboring county's Register of Deeds.