Access Greene County Birth Certificates

Greene County keeps birth records at the Register of Deeds office inside the Greene County Courthouse in Snow Hill. This eastern North Carolina county was created in 1799 from Dobbs County. The office serves as the custodian for all real estate documents and vital records in the county. Residents can request certified copies of birth certificates for events that took place within Greene County borders. The office also files deeds, manages marriage licenses, and records notary public commissions. Online index searches are available going back to 1875.

Greene County Birth Records Office

The Greene County Register of Deeds office is at 301 N. Greene Street inside the county courthouse in Snow Hill. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Staff members handle a wide range of services beyond birth certificates. They file deeds, deeds of trust, maps, easements, leases, assignments, and UCCs. They also issue marriage licenses, certify births, deaths, and marriages, and record notary public commissions.

Here is a look at the Greene County Register of Deeds page.

This page provides details about office services, hours, and contact information for the Snow Hill location.

Requesting Greene County Birth Certificates

Birth certificate copies cost $10.00 each in cash. In-person requests require you to complete an application form and submit a valid driver's license or picture ID. The staff will verify your relationship to the person named on the record before releasing any certified copies.

Mail requests follow a different process. Fill out the application form and check the line that shows your relationship to the person on the certificate. Sign the form, then include a copy of your state-issued photo ID, a money order for $10.00 (personal checks are not accepted), and a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope. Mail everything to P.O. Box 86, Snow Hill, NC 28580. The office processes requests in the order they arrive.

North Carolina's vital records statutes define who can receive certified copies and what documentation is required.

Who Can Get Greene County Certified Copies

Only certain people can receive a certified birth certificate from Greene County. The law limits access to protect personal information. Those who qualify include:

• The person named on the certificate
• Immediate family such as parents, siblings, and adult children
• Spouses and grandparents
• Legal representatives with proof of authority
• Anyone with a lawful need for personal or property rights

If you are unsure whether you qualify, call the office at (252) 747-3620. The staff will explain the requirements and tell you what to bring.

Greene County Birth Records Online Index

Greene County offers an online index that covers records from 1875 to the present. The Greene County online index lets you search for recorded documents from your computer. While you cannot download certified copies directly from this system, it helps you find records before visiting the office or making a mail request.

The screenshot below shows the Greene County courthouse computer search system.

This tool provides a way to search indexed records dating back nearly 150 years.

eRecording is also accepted for all documents except maps and highway right-of-ways. This feature allows attorneys and title companies to file documents electronically rather than in person.

Note: A tax form signed by the Greene County Tax Office is required with any deed recording.

Marriage Licenses in Greene County

The Register of Deeds also issues marriage licenses. If you need a license, bring a certified birth certificate, a state-issued photo ID or driver's license, and your Social Security card to the office. Passports are accepted for non-US residents. If you were previously married, bring your divorce decree or the death certificate of your former spouse. Marriage licenses cost $60.00 and must be paid in cash only. License applications are accepted from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Greene County Genealogy and Historical Records

Greene County was carved from Dobbs County in 1799. Snow Hill has been the county seat since the county's formation. The area has a strong agricultural heritage, and many families have lived here for generations. Birth records at the county level begin in 1913, when North Carolina first required registration.

For research into earlier periods, the FamilySearch Greene County genealogy page offers guides, tips, and links to digitized records. Census data, church records, and old court documents can help trace family lines in eastern North Carolina. The State Archives of North Carolina may hold additional historical materials from Greene County. The NC Office of Vital Records also provides an alternative path for ordering birth certificates at the state level.

Additional Birth Certificate Options

If you cannot visit Snow Hill, the state office in Raleigh keeps copies of all birth records from 1913 forward. State certificates cost $24.00. You can also use VitalChek for online orders with credit card payment. Both options cost more than the $10.00 county fee but may be more convenient if you live far from Greene County.

Amendments to Greene County birth certificates are also possible. If you need to correct or update any information on a record, the Register of Deeds office in Snow Hill can guide you through the process. The NC Vital Records amendment page has forms and fee information for changes processed through the state.

Nearby Counties

Greene County borders several counties in eastern North Carolina. Each has its own Register of Deeds that handles local birth records. If a birth happened in one of these neighboring counties, you will need to contact that county's office for your certificate.