Edgecombe County Birth Certificates

Edgecombe County maintains birth records at the Register of Deeds office in Tarboro. Formed in 1741 from Bertie County, Edgecombe is one of North Carolina's oldest counties. The office holds birth and death records dating back to 1913 along with delayed birth registrations. Tarboro sits in the northeastern part of the state, and the Register of Deeds staff assists residents with certified copy requests and other vital record needs. Historical deed books at this office date back to the 1730s, making it a key resource for anyone tracing family roots in the region.

Edgecombe County Birth Records Office

The Register of Deeds office in Edgecombe County sits at 128 W. Church Street in Tarboro. Staff members handle birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses. The office is open five days a week and welcomes walk-in visitors. Call ahead if you have questions about which documents to bring.

Note: Mail requests should be sent to P.O. Box 339, Tarboro, NC 27886.

Requesting Edgecombe County Birth Records

Each certified birth certificate copy from Edgecombe County costs $10.00. You must show a valid photo ID when making your request. The office needs the full name on the record, date of birth, and your connection to the person named. Payment can be made in person at the office window.

For mail requests, include a money order for $10.00 per copy. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive your documents back. Personal checks may not be accepted, so confirm payment options by calling (252) 641-7920 before sending your request. Under North Carolina General Statute 130A, the office must verify your eligibility before issuing a certified copy.

The NC Office of Vital Records provides statewide services for all counties, including Edgecombe.

This state website is another resource for ordering birth certificates when you cannot visit the Tarboro office.

Who Can Get Certified Copies in Edgecombe

State law controls who can receive certified birth certificates. The rules apply in Edgecombe County just as they do across North Carolina. Eligible requesters include:

• The person named on the birth certificate
• Parents, siblings, or adult children
• Spouses and grandparents
• Legal representatives with proper proof
• Anyone with a legal need tied to personal or property rights

If your name is not on the record and you are not a direct family member, you will need to provide documents that show your legal authority to request the file. The office staff can guide you through this process.

Birth Records History in Tarboro

Edgecombe County has deep historical roots. Created in 1741 from Bertie County, it is one of the oldest counties in the state. Tarboro, the county seat, has been the center of local government for nearly three centuries. The Register of Deeds office holds historical deed books that go back to the 1730s. These older records are valuable for genealogical research and land title searches.

Birth and death records at the county level begin in 1913, when North Carolina first required registration. Delayed birth records are also on file for people whose births were not recorded at the time they occurred. These delayed filings can be critical for older residents who need proof of birth for government benefits or other purposes. The Edgecombe County government website has additional information about county services.

Note: Historical deed books from the 1730s are available for research at the Tarboro office.

Other Ways to Get Edgecombe County Birth Records

If you cannot travel to Tarboro, there are other options. The NC Office of Vital Records in Raleigh keeps copies of all birth records from 1913 onward. You can request a copy from the state office by mail or through VitalChek, an online ordering service. VitalChek adds processing and shipping fees beyond the standard certificate cost.

The state office charges $24.00 for a birth certificate, which is higher than the county fee of $10.00. Processing at the state level can take several weeks. For the fastest results, visiting the Edgecombe County office in person is your best bet. Walk-in requests are typically completed the same day, saving you both time and money compared to other methods.

Note: The NC Vital Records fee page has a full breakdown of state-level costs for all certificate types.

Edgecombe County Genealogy Resources

Family history researchers will find several useful tools for Edgecombe County. The FamilySearch Edgecombe County genealogy page offers guides, record collections, and research tips. For records before 1913, church records and Bible entries may be the only sources available. The State Archives of North Carolina also holds older documents from the region.

Census records, land grants, and early court documents can help piece together family lines. Many of these resources are now available through digital archives and online databases. The NC State Archives Bible records collection includes handwritten family records from the region that predate formal registration. These entries often list birth dates, parents' names, and other details that cannot be found anywhere else.

Edgecombe County's long history means there is a wealth of material for researchers. Court records, wills, and estate files going back to the 1740s can reveal family connections across many generations. The county's deed books, some of the oldest in the state, are also useful for tracing property transfers that show family ties.

Nearby Counties

Edgecombe County borders several other counties in northeastern North Carolina. If a birth took place in a neighboring county, you will need to contact that county's Register of Deeds instead.