• Vital Records FAQ's – Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates

  • Can I get a Birth/Death Certificate from out of county?

    Effective March 1, 2023 and until further notice, our office will no longer issue certified copies of Birth or Death Certificates of individuals who were born or died outside of Watauga County.  Please contact the county in which the birth or death occurred to find out how to order the certificate online.  We are also unable to initiate Vital Record Amendments of any kind at this time.  We do have amendment forms available to the public that can be completed and submitted directly to NC Vital Records in Raleigh, or you may contact them at 919-733-3000 for assistance.  We apologize for the inconvenience and hope that soon the implementation of a new system at NC Vital Records will allow us to resume these services.

  • What is the cost of a copy of a marriage certificate?

    The cost is $ 10.00 for each certified copy and .50 for each uncertified copy.

    Click Here to download the request form.

  • Who may obtain a certified copy of my marriage certificate?

    Other than the parties of the marriage, only the brother/sister, child/step-child or grandchild, parent/step -parent or grandparent, authorized agent, attorney or legal representative is authorized to obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate. Proper picture identification must be presented and the appropriate form completed.

  • What vital records can I access from Watauga County?

    Watauga County Register of Deeds has birth and death records from 1914 and marriages from 1872. These records are for birth, death and marriages occurring in Watauga County.

  • How do I obtain a certified copy of my birth certificate?

    There are 3 ways in which you can obtain a certified copy. 

    1.  The fastest and easiest way is to order this online through our "Get Certificate Now" link.  You will make the request, upload identification and securely pay for the certified copy, and it will be mailed to you.

    Click here for online vital record request:  https://www.getcertificatenow.com/watauga#1

    2.  You may come in person to our office complete a request form, present identification and pay the fee for a certified copy.

    3.  You may submit a written request through the mail.  The written request must include full name at birth, date of birth and both parents' names. You MUST SIGN your request, enclose a copy of a government issued picture ID, and give an address where we are to mail the certified copy. The fee for the certified copy must accompany your written request.

    Click Here to download the request form.

  • Who may obtain a certified copy of my birth certificate?

    Only your current spouse, brother/sister, child/step-child or grandchild, parent/step-parent or grandparent, authorized agent, attorney or legal representative is authorized to obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate. Proper picture identification must be present and the application for a certified birth certificate form completed.

  • What is the cost of a birth certificate?

    The cost is $10.00 for each certified copy and .50 for each uncertified copy.

    Click Here to download the request form.

  • How do I obtain a certified copy of a death certificate?

    There are 3 ways in which you can obtain a certified copy. 

    1.  The fastest and easiest way is to order this online through our "Get Certificate Now" link.  You will make the request, upload identification and securely pay for the certified copy, and it will be mailed to you.

    Click here for online vital record request:  https://www.getcertificatenow.com/watauga#1

    2.  You may come in person to our office complete a request form, present identification and pay the fee for a certified copy.

    3., You may submit a written request through the mail.  The written request must include the deceased persons name, and date of death. You must sign your request, enclose a copy of a government issued picture ID, and give an address where we are to mail the certified copy. The fee for the certified copy must accompany your written request.

    Use the link below to download the request form http://www.wataugacounty.org/App_Pages/Dept/Deeds/Forms/death.pdf

  • Who may obtain a certified copy of a death certificate?

    Only the current spouse, brother/sister, child/step-child or grandchild, parent/step-parent or grandparent, authorized agent, attorney or legal representative is authorized to obtain a certified copy of a death certificate. Proper picture identification must be presented and the appropriate form completed.

  • What is the cost of a certified copy of a death certificate?

    The cost is $10.00 for each certified copy and .50 for each uncertified copy.

    Click Here to download the request form.

  • How can I obtain copies of vital record online?

    Click Here for Online Vital Records Request.