North Carolina Office of Vital Records Death Certificate Amendment

NorthCarolinaOfficeofVitalRecords

DeathCertificateAmendmentProofRequirements

DeathCertificateFieldModification

RequiredProofs

Allproofsmustbeundamaged,validoriginalsorcertifiedcopies.

Photocopieswillnotbeaccepted.

AmendingaMinorSpellingError*inan yname(s)for

theDecedent

•Birthcertificateofdecedent(out‐of‐state/countrymustbe

certified);OR

*Minorspellingerrorsincludeerrorsaffecting1‐2

lettersofagivennamewheretheamendment

doesnotconstitutealegalnamechange

•CertificateofNaturalizationforforeignbirths;OR

•Cerﬁedcopyofmarriagelicense/cerﬁcateofdecedent(out‐of‐

state/countrymustalsobecertified);OR

•Cerﬁedcopyofchild’sbirthcerﬁcatewithdecedent's

information;OR

•FormI‐94forrefugees;OR

•Government‐issueddrivingcredentialoridentificationcard(e.g.,

NCDMVdriverslicense,etc.);OR

•Passportofdecedent;OR

•SocialSecurityNumidentReportfordecedent;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformation

requestedtobeamended

LegalNameChangefortheDecedent

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

DecedentAlias/ AKA

•Signed/notarizedstatementfromtheinformant

DecedentBirthplace •Certifiedcopyofbirthcertificateofdecedent;OR

•CertificateofNaturalizationforforeignbirths;OR

•Cerﬁedcopyofmarriagelicense/cerﬁcateofdecedent(out‐of‐

state/countrymustalsobecertified);OR

•Cerﬁedcopyofchild’sbirthcerﬁcatewithdecedent's

information;OR

•FormI‐94forrefugees;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

**Iftherequirementforproofisabirthcertificateandtheperson

wasborninNCthenNCOVRwillsearchas

acourtesy**

MaidenName

•Certifiedcopyoforiginal,unamendedbirthcertificateof

decedent;OR

•CertificateofNaturalizationforforeignbirths;OR

•Cerﬁedcopyofmarriagelicense/cerﬁcateofdecedent(out‐of‐

state/countrymustalsobecertified);OR

•Cerﬁedcopyofchild’sbirthcerﬁcatewithdecedent's

information;OR

•FormI‐94forrefugees;OR

Updated09/2022

NorthCarolinaOfficeofVitalRecords

DeathCertificateAmendmentProofRequirements

DeathCertificateFieldModification

RequiredProofs

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

Sex •Certifiedcopyofbirthcertificateofdecedent;OR

•Government‐issueddrivingcredentialoridentificationcard(e.g.,

NCDMVdriverslicense,etc.);OR

•CertificateofNaturalizationforforeignbirths;OR

•FormI‐94forrefugees;OR

•Passportofdecedent;

OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

Age&DateofBirth •Certifiedcopyofbirthcertificateofdecedent;OR

•CertificateofNaturalizationforforeignbirths;OR

•FormI‐94forrefugees;OR

•Passportofdecedent;OR

•SocialSecurityNumidentReportfordecedent;OR

•

Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

DateofDeath

•Signedstatementfromthemedicalcertifierorthemedical

examinerwhosignedthedecedent'sdeathcertificate.Ifthe

certifierisunavailable,thestatementmaybesignedbythe

certifier'sauthorizedmedicalassociateorthechiefmedicalofficer

for

thecertifier'sfacility;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

TimeofDeath

•Signedstatementfromthemedicalcertifierorthemedical

examinerwhosignedthedecedent'sdeathcertificate.Ifthe

certifierisunavailable,thestatementmaybesignedbythe

certifier'sauthorizedmedicalassociateorthe

chiefmedicalofficer

forthecertifier'sfacility;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

SocialSecurityNumber •SocialSecurityCardofthedecedent;OR

•SocialSecurityBenefitStatement‐SSA1099ofthedecedent;OR

•VerificationletterfromSocialSecurityAdministrationregarding

thedecedent;OR

•Report

ofConfidentialSocialSecurityBenefitInformation(SSA‐

2458)forthedecedent;OR

•ReportofSurvivorBenefitsfromSocialSecurityAdministration

forthedecedent;OR

•Filedtaxreturn;OR

•VerificationletterfromtheUSOfficeofPersonnelManagement

forfederalretirees;OR

•Medicare/MedicaidCard‐usedforminorcorrectionsonly‐such



astransposednumbersoronenumberwrong(TheMedicareCard

mustshowtheSocialSecurityNumber);OR

Updated09/2022

NorthCarolinaOfficeofVitalRecords

DeathCertificateAmendmentProofRequirements

DeathCertificateFieldModification

RequiredProofs

•RailroadBenefitsStatement1099‐Rforrailroadretirees;OR

•DD214;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

PlaceofDeath

•Signedstatementfromthemedicalcertifierorthemedical

examinerwhosignedthedecedent'sdeathcertificate.Ifthe

certifierisunavailable,thestatementmaybesigned

bythe

certifier'sauthorizedmedicalassociateorthechiefmedicalofficer

forthecertifier'sfacility

•Signedstatementfromthetransporterwhoremovedthe

remainsfromtheplaceofdeath;OR

•Signedstatementfromthefuneraldirectorwhowitnessedthe

removalofremainsfromtheplaceofdeath;OR

•Treatment

reportfromtheemergencymedicalservicesprovider

thatremovedtheremainsfromtheplaceofdeath;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

ChangingPlaceofDeathTypetoFacility

•Statementfromfacilitydirectoronletterheadthatverifies

decedentlivedinthefacility;OR

•Signedstatement

fromthemedicalcertifierorthemedical

examinerwhosignedthedecedent'sdeathcertificate.Ifthe

certifierisunavailable,thestatementmaybesignedbythe

certifier'sauthorizedmedicalassociateorthechiefmedicalofficer

forthecertifier'sfacility;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

Countyof

Death

•Signedstatementfromthemedicalcertifierorthemedical

examinerwhosignedthedecedent'sdeathcertificate.Ifthe

certifierisunavailable,thestatementmaybesignedbythe

certifier'sauthorizedmedicalassociateorthechiefmedicalofficer

forthecertifier'sfacility;OR

•Signedstatementfromthetransporterwho

removedthe

remainsfromtheplaceofdeath;OR

•Signedstatementfromthefuneraldirectorwhowitnessedthe

removalofremainsfromtheplaceofdeath;OR

•Treatmentreportfromtheemergencymedicalservicesprovider

thatremovedtheremainsfromtheplaceofdeath;OR

•Courtorderreflectingthe

informationrequestedtobeamended

ArmedForcesAffiliation •Militarydischarge(DD214);OR

•VAIdentificationcard;OR

•Notarized,statementfrominformantorclosestfamilymember

thatdecedentneverservedinthemilitary(to removearmed

forcesmarker);OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

Updated09/2022

NorthCarolinaOfficeofVitalRecords

DeathCertificateAmendmentProofRequirements

DeathCertificateFieldModification

RequiredProofs

MartialStatus

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

MinorCorrectiontoSurvivingSpouseName

•Birthcertificateofspouselistedon certificate;OR

*Minorspellingerrorsincludeerrorsaffecting1‐2

lettersofagivennamewheretheamendment

doesnotconstitutealegalnamechange

•Decedent'sMarriagecertificate;OR

•Spousegovernment‐issueddrivingcredentialoridentification

card(e.g.,NCDMVdriverslicense,etc.);OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

AddingorChangingSurvivingSpouseName

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

Occupations/KindofBusiness

•Statementfromemployeror

employmentrecord;OR

•FederalTaxReturn(closesttoyearofdeath);OR

•W‐2;OR

•Notarized,signedstatementfromtheinformant;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

Residence

•Utilitybillthatincludesnameandaddress(closesttodateof

death);OR

*Minorcorrectiontoobvious

typographicalerrorin

residentialaddress

•Medicalbillthatincludesnameandaddress(closesttodateof

death);OR

•Telephonebillthatincludesnameandaddress(closesttodateof

death);OR

•Government‐issueddrivingcredentialoridentificationcard(e.g.,

NCDMVdriverslicense,etc.);OR

•Propertytaxstatementor

verificationletterfrompropertytax

departmenttocorrectthecountyofresidence(closesttoyearof

death);OR

•Vehicletaxstatement(proofforcountyofresidence);OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

ChangingResidence(Address,City,State,Countyor

Country)

•SocialSecurityBenefitStatement‐SSA1099

(closesttoyearof

death);OR

•Decedent'sSocialSecurityStatementForm(EstimatedBenefits);

•HomesteadExemption;OR

•Medicarebillingstatement(closesttodateofdeath);OR

•Government‐issueddrivingcredentialoridentificationcard(e.g.,

NCDMVdriverslicense,etc.);OR

•FederalTaxReturn verifiesaddress(closesttoyearof

death);OR

•1099‐RFederalRetireestatement;OR

Updated09/2022

NorthCarolinaOfficeofVitalRecords

DeathCertificateAmendmentProofRequirements

DeathCertificateFieldModification

RequiredProofs

•Propertytaxstatementtosupportthecountyofresidencein

additiontooneoftheaboveproofs(closesttoyearofdeath);OR

•Vehicletaxrecordtocorrectcountyofresidence;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

ChangingResidencetoaFacility

•Statementfromfacility

directoronletterheadthatverifies

decedentlivedinthefacility;OR

•Signedstatementfromthemedicalcertifierorthemedical

examinerwhosignedthedecedent'sdeathcertificate.Ifthe

certifierisunavailable,thestatementmaybesignedbythe

certifier'sauthorizedmedicalassociateorthechiefmedicalofficer

forthe

certifier'sfacility;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

HispanicOrigin/Race

•RecordfromrollsoffederalorstaterecognizedIndian

tribes;OR

•Anotarizedaffidavitfromthetribalchief,attestingtothe

factthatoneorbothoftheparentsareAmericanIndian.(A

tribalmembershipcardisnotsufficientbyitself.The

notarizedaffidavitisstillrequired.);OR

•Birthcertificateofdecedentthatsupportstherequested

race(includingforeignbirths)(ifarecordwasrecorded)(out‐

of‐state/countrymustbecertified);OR

•Parents’officiallyregisteredmarriagelicense/certificate

thatsupportstheparent’srequestedrace(out‐of‐

state/countrymustbecertified);OR

•Birthcertificateoftheoldestchildborntothesame

parent(s)astheapplicantthatsupportstherequested

race(out‐of‐state/countrymustbecertified);OR

•CensusRecord,closesttotheyearoftheparent(s’)birth,

thatsupportstherequestedrace;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

Education

•Signedstatementonletterheadfromschoolofficialverifying

yearscompleted;OR

•Cumulativeschoolrecordthatshowsgradecompleted;OR

•Collegetranscriptfordecedent;OR

•Signed/notarizedstatementfromtheinformant;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobe

amended

MinorCorrectiontoParent'sName

•Birthcertificateofdecedent(out‐of‐state/countrymustbe

certified);OR

Updated09/2022

NorthCarolinaOfficeofVitalRecords

DeathCertificateAmendmentProofRequirements

DeathCertificateFieldModification

RequiredProofs

*Minorspellingerrorsincludeerrorsaffecting1‐2

lettersofagivennamewheretheamendment

doesnotconstitutealegalnamechange

•

Marriagelicense/certificateofdecedentifshowsparents'names

(out‐of‐state/countrymustbecertifed);

OR

•SocialSecurityNumidentReport;OR

•CensusRecords–nearestaftertheyearofbirth(example:1905

birthwouldbethecensusfor1910);OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

AddingorChangingParent'sName

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

InformantsName

Minor

CorrectiontoInformant'sName

•Birthcertificateofinformant(out‐of‐state/countrymustbe

certified);OR

*Minorspellingerrorsincludeerrorsaffecting1‐2

lettersofagivennamewheretheamendment

doesnotconstitutealegalnamechange

•Marriagelicense/certificate(out‐of‐state/countrymustbe

certified);OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

ChangeInformantCompletely

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

InformantsRelationshiptoDecedent

•Birthcertificate(s)tosupportthealleged relationship(out‐of‐

state/countrymustbecertified);OR

•Court

orderwhenchangingtherelationshipfromspouseto

friend,companion,etc.;OR

•Courtorderwhenchangingtherelationshipto spouseor

partner;OR

•Ifchangingrelationsh iptofriend,signednotarizedstatement

fromtheinformant

InformantsAddress

•Utilitybillthatincludesnameandaddress(closesttodateof

death);OR

•

Telephonebillthatincludesnameandaddress(closesttodateof

death);OR

•Medicalbillthatincludesnameandaddress(closesttodateof

death);OR

•Bankstatementthatincludesnameandaddress(closesttodate

ofdeath);OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

Method

ofDisposition

•Statementfromfuneralhomerepresentativeexplaining

dispositionerrorandanotarizedstatementfromtheinformant

Ifthedecedentwascrematedandtheasheswerethenburied,the

methodofdispositionisstillcremation;OR

Updated09/2022

NorthCarolinaOfficeofVitalRecords

DeathCertificateAmendmentProofRequirements

DeathCertificateFieldModification

RequiredProofs

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

PlaceofDisposition

•Letterfromarepresentativeatthecemeterylistedonthedeath

certificatestatingthedecedentwasneverburiedatthatlocation;

AND

•Letterfromarepresentativeatthecorrectcemeterystatingthe

datethedecedentwasburiedat

thatlocation

Ifthedecedentwasburiedatonelocationandlatermovedto

anotherlocation,aletterfromarepresentativeatthecemetery

listedonthedeathcertificatestatingthedecedentwillbe

disenterredfromtheirlocationincludingscheduleddisenterment

dateandplotlocation;ANDaletterfroma representative

atthe

newcemeterystatingthedatethedecedentwillbereinterred

includingtheplotlocation

•Letterfromthecrematorywherethedecedentwascremated;

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

FuneralHomeinformation

FuneralHomeName

•BusinessLicense;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformation

requestedtobeamended

ChangeAddressofFuneralHome

•BusinessLicense;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended

ChangeEmbalmersName&LicenseNumber

•CopyofEmbalmer’slicense;OR

•Courtorderreflectingtheinformationrequestedtobeamended



Updated09/2022