What Is an FS-1 Form?

An FS-1 form is a document that only exists for drivers located in North Carolina. It's a certificate that shows that you have insurance on your car.
Written by Brady Klopfer
Edited by R.E. Fulton
An FS-1 form verifies that you have car insurance in
North Carolina
.
  • The North Carolina FS-1 form is a standard certificate of insurance that verifies a driver’s car insurance coverage
  • Only North Carolina uses FS-1 forms
  • Your insurance company should issue you an FS-1 form when you purchase coverage 
  • If you need to send an FS-1 form to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles, use online services or fax it to (919) 733-6949

What is an FS-1 form?

An FS-1 form is a certificate of financial responsibility that only exists for drivers in North Carolina. When you purchase
car insurance
coverage in the state of North Carolina, you’ll get an FS-1 form from your car insurance company.
In addition to your contact information, the North Carolina FS-1 form shows: 
  • The effective date of your auto insurance policy
  • Your vehicle’s year, make, and model
  • Your vehicle identification number (VIN)
To get an FS-1 form, you need to purchase the minimum amount of car insurance coverage that is mandated by the state of North Carolina. In 2023, that minimum is: 

When do you need an FS-1 form?

Anyone who lives in North Carolina and owns or leases a car needs an FS-1 form. You’ll need your FS-1 form any time it’s necessary to show
proof of insurance
, especially: 
  • When you want to
    register your car
    with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
  • If you’re pulled over by the police or highway patrol
  • If you’re involved in an accident
  • If you’re charged with
    driving uninsured
    when you had insurance
If for some reason you don’t have or don’t want an FS-1 insurance form, you can also self-certify that you have the appropriate liability coverage required by North Carolina state law. In order to self-certify, you need to provide: 
  • The name of your insurance provider
  • Your insurance policy number
  • The phone number for the insurer (in some cases)

How to send an FS-1 form to NCDMV

If you’re charged with driving uninsured when you actually had liability insurance that met
North Carolina’s car insurance laws
, you may need to send a copy of your FS-1 form to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) to prove there was no
insurance lapse
To send your FS-1 to the North Carolina DMV, you can either: 
  • Fax the document to (919) 733-6949, or
  • Use the NCDMV online services to send a NC FS1 PDF electronically 
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FAQs

Every state has the equivalent of an FS-1 form, but most states simply call it a certificate of insurance. There’s not really anything special about an FS-1 form, other than the name.
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