Missing ID blocks almost everything else. Order matters: usually birth certificate first, then the Social Security card, then the state ID.
County next steps
Orange · Durham · Wake · North Carolina · Adults 18+
Orange County
Legal Aid — Central Carolina office
205 West Main Street, Suite 203, Carrboro, NC 27510
919-542-0475- Use the official office directory or application to ask about adult civil legal help in Orange County.
- Visits are by appointment; confirm the location, case type, and eligibility.
- Keep notices and deadlines; contacting an office does not pause a court or appeal deadline.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
Durham County
Legal Aid — Durham office
411 West Chapel Hill Road, Suite 1A, Durham, NC 27701
919-688-6396- Ask about adult civil legal help for Durham County and whether the case is eligible.
- Confirm intake and appointment arrangements before visiting.
- Keep notices and deadlines; representation and case acceptance are not guaranteed.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
Wake County
Legal Aid — Raleigh office
1425 Promise Beacon Circle, Suite 201, Raleigh
- Use Legal Aid’s official office directory or application to request adult civil legal help for Wake County.
- Confirm the current address, intake arrangements, and case eligibility before visiting.
- Do not wait past a court or appeal deadline while seeking representation.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
Orange County
Orange County Courthouse
106 East Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-644-4500- Ask the clerk which office or form applies to the matter; court staff do not act as your lawyer.
- Confirm the hearing building, filing requirements, and deadlines from the notice.
- For a protective order or guardianship matter, use the official court instructions and seek legal advice.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
Durham County
Durham County Courthouse
510 South Dillard Street, Durham, NC 27701
919-808-3000- Ask the clerk which office or form applies to the matter; court staff do not act as your lawyer.
- Confirm the hearing building, filing requirements, and deadlines from the notice.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
Wake County
Wake County Courthouse
316 Fayetteville Street Mall, Raleigh, NC 27601
919-792-4000- Confirm the correct building: criminal matters may be at the Wake County Justice Center rather than this courthouse.
- Ask the clerk about forms, filing, and deadlines; court staff do not provide legal representation.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
Key facts
- County DSS, shelters, and re-entry programs sometimes pay ID fees.
What to bring (checklist)
Step by step
- Birth certificate: order from NC Vital Records (born in NC) or the county Register of Deeds. Born elsewhere: that state's vital records office.
- Social Security card: replacement is free. Many people can request it online through my Social Security, or at an SSA office.
- 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.
- REAL ID needs extra documents. A regular ID is enough for most needs.
Official sources
Last checked October 2026. Amounts and rules change, so confirm with the official source before sharing.