Register or Check Your Voter Registration in North Carolina

This page helps with voter registration in North Carolina by explaining how to register, update a registration, and check your voter record using official state tools.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections handles voter registration, and eligible NCDMV customers may use the NCDMV online voter registration application for new registrations or updates.

North Carolina voter registration options

North Carolina offers voter registration online through NCDMV for eligible existing NCDMV customers and by mail using the state voter registration application. The regular civilian voter registration deadline is 25 days before Election Day.

• Use the NCDMV voter registration application if you are an eligible NCDMV customer and want to register or update your voter registration online.
• Use the North Carolina voter registration application if you need to register by mail or submit a paper update.
• After submitting an application, watch for contact from your county board of elections if more information is needed.

No fee applies for voter registration through the NCDMV online service, and users may select “Continue as a guest.”

Information required to register

Have the required voter registration details ready before starting an online or paper application.

• Confirmation that you are a U.S. citizen and meet the age requirement.
• Legal first name, last name, and suffix if applicable.
• Date of birth.
• N.C. driver’s license number, NCDMV ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
• Residential address, including city, ZIP code, and county.
• Mailing address, if you do not receive mail at your residential address.
• Signature and date attesting to your qualifications.

Optional items may include gender, ethnicity, race, political party affiliation, phone number, and email address.

Check your voter registration status

The State Board of Elections provides a Voter Search tool to check publicly available voter registration information. Use the North Carolina Voter Search to view details such as registration status, polling place, sample ballot when available, voting districts, absentee ballot information, and voter history.

The tool requires a first name and last name. You may also narrow the search with year of birth or county.

Update your voter registration

Existing NCDMV customers may update address or party affiliation through the online voter registration application. The online service cannot be used to change a name.

North Carolina residents may use the voter registration application or the change form on a voter registration card to update name, address, or party affiliation by mail. Registration changes are due by the voter registration deadline, 25 days before Election Day.

If the deadline has passed, eligible voters may make changes other than party affiliation during the in-person early voting period.

Same-day registration during early voting

Eligible people who are not registered in their county may register and vote at an early voting site in their county during the in-person early voting period. Same-day registrants must meet eligibility requirements and provide proof of residence.

• North Carolina driver’s license.
• Other government-issued photo identification showing current name and address.
• Current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing name and address.
• College or university document showing current name and residential address, when allowed under the student proof rules.

All voters using same-day registration will also be asked to show an acceptable photo ID when checking in to vote.

Party affiliation and primary voting

North Carolina recognizes the Democratic Party, Green Party, Libertarian Party, and Republican Party. A voter may also register as unaffiliated.

In a partisan primary, voters registered with a political party may vote only that party’s ballot. Unaffiliated voters may choose one recognized party’s ballot or a nonpartisan ballot if available. North Carolina does not allow straight-ticket voting in a general election.

Voter registration contacts

Use these public contacts for statewide voter registration questions or NCDMV online service help.

• North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE), P.O. Box 27255, Raleigh, NC 27611-7255
  Phone: (919) 814-0700
  Fax: (919) 715-0135
  Email: [email protected]
  Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday
• NCDMV Customer Service, 3101 Mail Service Center; 1515 N. Church St., Rocky Mount, NC 27804
  Phone: (919) 715-7000