Martin County Birth Certificate Records

Martin County is located in eastern North Carolina with Williamston as its county seat. The Register of Deeds office on East Main Street provides certified copies of birth certificates for births recorded from 1913 to the present. Martin County was formed in 1774 from Halifax and Tyrrell Counties, giving it a history that predates American independence. If you need a birth certificate from Martin County, this page outlines the process for visiting the office, mailing a request, or ordering through the state vital records office in Raleigh.

Martin County Register of Deeds

The Register of Deeds office sits at 305 E. Main Street in Williamston. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The staff handles birth and death records, marriage licenses, and property filings. You can walk in during office hours to request a certified birth certificate. Most requests are completed the same day when the record is on file.

Bring a valid photo ID. You will also need the full name on the record, date of birth, and parents' names. Mail requests should go to P.O. Box 348, Williamston, NC 27892 with $10 per copy enclosed as a check or money order.

Martin County Government Website

The Martin County government website lists county departments and contact details. Below is a screenshot of the main page.

You can use this site to confirm office hours, find phone numbers, and locate forms for requesting vital records from the Martin County Register of Deeds. The site provides a directory of all county departments and links to important services available to Martin County residents.

Ordering Martin County Birth Certificates

Certified birth certificate copies from Martin County cost $10 each. Payment can be made in cash or by check at the Williamston office. Mail orders need a check or money order. Seniors aged 62 and older may receive their first certified copy at no charge.

If you cannot visit or mail a request to Martin County, the NC Office of Vital Records can issue copies of any North Carolina birth certificate for $24 each. Online orders through VitalChek are also accepted, though they come with a service fee. The NC fee schedule provides the full breakdown of costs at the state level.

Note: Only authorized individuals can request a certified birth certificate in North Carolina.

History of Martin County Birth Records

Martin County was formed in 1774 from parts of Halifax and Tyrrell Counties. It was named after Josiah Martin, the last Royal Governor of North Carolina. Williamston, the county seat, grew along the Roanoke River and became a center for agriculture and trade in the eastern part of the state.

Birth records in Martin County, like all of North Carolina, began in October 1913 when statewide registration was put in place. Before that date, no official county-level birth records exist. The State Archives Bible Records may contain entries for Martin County families from earlier periods. Census records and old church registers are additional sources for tracing births that occurred before formal registration.

Researching Martin County Vital Records

Family history research in Martin County benefits from the area's long recorded history. Land grants, court records, and church documents from the 1700s and 1800s are preserved at the State Archives of North Carolina. These documents can reference births, marriages, and deaths that predate formal registration.

The NC vital records research page explains how genealogy researchers can access older records. The Martin County public library in Williamston also maintains a local history section with materials relevant to family research in the area. Certified copies of birth records from 1913 forward can be requested for genealogical purposes if you meet eligibility requirements. The FamilySearch Martin County page provides additional genealogical resources for researchers tracing family roots in eastern North Carolina.

Martin County's location along the Roanoke River made it a key agricultural area throughout its history. Many families who settled here in the 1700s and 1800s grew tobacco, cotton, and other crops. Their records, scattered among church registers and county court files, remain important sources for understanding birth patterns before formal registration began in 1913.

Correcting a Martin County Birth Certificate

Errors on a Martin County birth certificate can be corrected through the Register of Deeds. Simple mistakes like a typo in a name require a short form and supporting documentation. More significant changes, such as adding a parent or changing a legal name, need a court order. The NC amendment process explains each type of correction and the required steps.

Adoption-related certificate changes are processed through the state office. The NC adoptions page details how a new birth certificate is created after an adoption is complete.

Martin County residents looking for birth certificates should plan their visit to the Williamston office during regular business hours. The office is in the county courthouse on East Main Street, which is easy to find in the center of town. For those who live in outlying communities like Robersonville, Jamesville, or Hamilton, a phone call to (252) 809-4150 before visiting can save time by confirming the record is on file. The county's rural character means that many families have lived in the area for generations, and the Register of Deeds holds vital records that span more than a century of Martin County history.

Nearby Counties

Martin County is in the inner coastal plain of eastern North Carolina. These neighboring counties each have a Register of Deeds where birth records can be requested.