North Carolina

⚠️ New voter ID law in 2023!

North Carolina is a non-strict photovoter ID state.

You will be asked to show an acceptable photo ID to confirm your identity when voting in person.

If you don’t have an acceptable ID, you can still vote by signing a form.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!

Any registered North Carolina voter may request an absentee ballot.

To request an absentee ballot you must provide your date of birth and one of the following to verify your identity:

• North Carolina driver license number or North Carolina state ID card number
• Last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you do not have an acceptable photo ID due to religious objection, natural disaster or reasonable impediment (see above regarding exceptions to NC’s voter ID law), you will be permitted to sign an ID Exception Form instead.

If you do have an acceptable photo ID but are not able to attach a copy of it, you will also be permitted to sign an ID Exception Form.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!

You must file a formal request with the circuit court to change your name in North Carolina.

You will need to be fingerprinted at a Sheriff’s office and undergo a state and federal background check.

North Carolina also requires you to publish notice of your name change for a specific period of time.  This can be waived if you provide proof that you are a victim of domestic abuse, stalking, or sexual offense.

If the court approves your name change, you will receive a court order that can be used to update the name on your ID documents.

Submit a written request to North Carolina’s Vital Records office to amend your birth certificate.

To change the name on your North Carolina birth certificate, you will need to provide:

• handwritten note requesting the changes needed
• completed application form (PDF) 
• name-change court order
• payment of applicable fee(s)

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.

You must update your name with the Social Security Administration at least 36 hours before you can change it on a North Carolina-issued ID.

Visit a North Carolina DMV office to change the name on your North Carolina driver license or ID.

You will need to provide a certified copy of your name-change court order (or other legal document demonstrating your legal name change).

Submit a written request to North Carolina’s Vital Records office to amend your birth certificate.

You will need to provide a notarized physician’s statement certifying that you have undergone gender affirmation surgery or a court order certifying your gender transition issued by an out-of-state court.

To update your North Carolina birth certificate, you will need to provide:

• handwritten note requesting the changes needed
• completed Application for a Birth Certificate form (PDF) – fill out “other” section as “gender change”
• notarized physician’s statement or out-of-state court order
  
• payment of applicable fee(s)

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.

Visit a DMV office to update the gender marker on your North Carolina driver license or state ID.

You will need to provide one of the following:

• completed Sex Designation Form (PDF) – requires a signature from a physician, physician’s assistant, therapist, counselor, psychologist, case worker, or social worker 
• updated birth certificate showing amended gender marker
• 10-year US Passport showing amended gender marker
• U.S. court order confirming gender transition