Advance Directive

North Carolina’s Advance Directive form authorizes a healthcare attorney and specifies an individual’s living and last will. It must be signed by the individual, proxy, and two witnesses.

How to Order a Death Certificate

In North Carolina, only the deceased’s immediate family members of legal age and authorized attorneys can obtain a death certificate. The required application information includes:

• Deceased’s name, date of birth, race, sex
• Place and date of death
• Applicant’s name, phone number, address
• Applicant’s relation to the deceased and its proof
• Copy of applicant’s government-issued ID
• Purpose of request

The certificate and one certified copy cost $24. An additional copy costs $15. There’s an additional $15 fee for expedited services and a $15 fee for walk-in orders.

The application can be mailed to:

North Carolina Vital Records

1903 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1903

Or handed in person at:

North Carolina Vital Records (Cooper Memorial Health Building)

225 North McDowell Street

Raleigh, NC 27603-1382.

Digital Estate Planning Laws

SB 85 Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act authorizes an individual’s legal representative who can access and control their digital assets and communications. This bill came into effect on June 30, 2016.

Death With Dignity or Aid-in-Dying or Physician-Assisted Death

North Carolina’s End of Life Options Act is currently under review. The bill progress can be tracked here.

Organ Donation Registry

North Carolina’s organ donation registry can be found here.

Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST)

North Carolina’s MOST form can be ordered by filling out this form. The MOST form must be completed only after a conversation with a patient or their representative. It’s necessary for patients who are at risk of a life-threatening clinical event due to a life-limiting medical condition.

Probate Laws

Information on North Carolina’s legislation on a decedent’s will regarding their estate and other assets can be found in Chapter 47: Probate and Registration.

Estate and Inheritance Tax

North Carolina has no estate or inheritance tax.