Adoptee birth certificates now available in Register of Deeds Office

Adoptees can now obtain certified copies of their birth certificates
from their county's Register of Deeds Office.

 

A new state law gives adopted North Carolinians easier access to their adoptive birth certificates.

Before Jan. 1, certified copies of adoptive birth certificates were available only from the N.C. Office of Vital Records. Now, they’re available in county register of deed offices across North Carolina.

The new law is a big win for adoptees, said Johnston County Registrar of Deeds Craig Olive. “I am pleased to offer this service to our citizens,” he said. “It will be a much easier, faster and less expensive process for those who have been adopted to retrieve certified copies of their birth certificates from our office.”

“We appreciate everyone who lobbied for this change and look forward to offering this service locally in our office,” Olive added.

Under the law, adoptive birth records are available only to adoptees and their parents, children, grandchildren and adopted siblings. Proof of relationship is required.

Note too that original birth certificates issued before adoption remain sealed, as do all associated adoption records.

Located in the Johnston County Courthouse in downtown Smithfield, the Register of Deeds Office is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. 

“As always, my doors are open, and I look forward to serving all citizens of our great County,” Olive said.

Page last updated on:  February 13, 2026