Legal, ID & documents

Key facts

• County DSS, shelters, and re-entry programs sometimes pay ID fees.

What to bring (checklist)

• Any ID they have (old ID, school ID, prison ID, or Medicaid card can help)
• Proof of address: a shelter letter, mail, or a lease
• Name change papers if their name changed

Step by step

1. Birth certificate: order from NC Vital Records (born in NC) or the county Register of Deeds. Born elsewhere: that state's vital records office.
2. Social Security card: replacement is free. Many people can request it online through my Social Security, or at an SSA office.
3. NC ID card: at an NC DMV office. Bring proof of identity, Social Security number, and NC residency. Ask about the free ID for people who are homeless, 17+ and disabled, or getting a voter ID.
4. REAL ID needs extra documents. A regular ID is enough for most needs.

Official sources

• NC Vital Records
• SSA: Replace a Social Security card
• NC DMV: ID cards
• NC DMV: Free ID cards

Last checked October 2026. Amounts and rules change, so confirm with the official source before sharing.

Key facts

• Legal Aid of NC: housing, benefits, domestic violence, expunctions, and more.
• Disability Rights NC: disability discrimination, abuse in facilities, and rights.
• Use Legal Aid’s official office directory: Central Carolina in Carrboro for Orange, Durham for Durham, and Raleigh for Wake. Confirm case acceptance and appointments before referring.
• NC courts have self-help centers and free online forms.

Official sources

• Legal Aid of NC
• Disability Rights NC
• NC Judicial Branch: Help topics
• NC Bar Lawyer Referral

Last checked October 2026. Amounts and rules change, so confirm with the official source before sharing.

Key facts

• Dismissed charges and not-guilty verdicts are often expunged automatically (since 2021).
• Some nonviolent misdemeanors and felonies can be expunged after a waiting period, and NC allows more than one expunction in some cases.
• A Certificate of Relief can reduce job and housing barriers.
• Voting rights come back automatically once someone finishes their felony sentence, including probation or parole. People on misdemeanor sentences can vote.
• Free expunction clinics are run by Legal Aid and others.

Official sources

• NC Judicial Branch: Expunctions
• NC Judicial Branch: Certificate of Relief
• NC State Board of Elections: Voting with a criminal record

Last checked October 2026. Amounts and rules change, so confirm with the official source before sharing.

Key facts

• NC Child Support Services helps set up, collect, and change support. People can ask to lower support if income drops (like during incarceration or disability).
• Custody forms and court info are on the NC courts site.
• Protective orders: see the Crisis & safety section.

Official sources

• NC Child Support Services
• NC Judicial Branch: Child custody

Last checked October 2026. Amounts and rules change, so confirm with the official source before sharing.

Key facts

• Overdose risk is much higher in the first weeks after release. Make sure they have naloxone.
• Medicaid can be reactivated or applied for right away. Leaving incarceration triggers a Marketplace special enrollment period.
• SSI stops after a full month in jail and must be restarted. SSDI stops after 30 days for a conviction. Contact SSA on release.
• NC Local Reentry Councils give help with housing, ID, jobs, and more.
• NC Department of Adult Correction has re-entry resources.

Official sources

• NC Dept. of Adult Correction: Reentry
• SSA: Benefits after incarceration

Last checked October 2026. Amounts and rules change, so confirm with the official source before sharing.

Key facts

• Register by 25 days before an election, or same-day register during early voting.
• NC requires photo ID to vote. A free voter photo ID is available from the county board of elections.
• People without a fixed address can register using where they stay (like a shelter).

Official sources

• NC State Board of Elections
• NC voter ID

Last checked October 2026. Amounts and rules change, so confirm with the official source before sharing.