diff --git a/.mci.yml b/.mci.yml
index fac46e1e60..3512c9f7fd 100644
--- a/.mci.yml
+++ b/.mci.yml
@@ -283,6 +283,18 @@ functions:
             add_expansions_to_env: true
             script: mongo-cxx-driver/.evergreen/install_c_driver.sh
 
+    # fetch_c_driver_source may be used to fetch the C driver source without installing the C driver.
+    # This can be used when only CI scripts are needed.
+    "fetch_c_driver_source":
+      - command: shell.exec
+        params:
+            shell: bash
+            working_dir: "."
+            script: |
+                set -o errexit
+                set -o pipefail
+                git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/mongodb/mongo-c-driver mongoc
+
     "lint":
         - command: shell.exec
           params:
@@ -832,7 +844,7 @@ tasks:
     - name: clang-tidy
       commands:
         - func: "setup"
-        - func: "install_c_driver"
+        - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
         - func: "compile"
         - func: "clang-tidy"
 
@@ -840,37 +852,41 @@ tasks:
       commands:
         - func: "setup"
         - func: "start_mongod"
-        - func: "install_c_driver"
+        - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
         - func: "compile"
           vars:
               RUN_DISTCHECK: 1
         - func: "clone_drivers-evergreen-tools"
         - func: "run_kms_servers"
+        # Call "install_c_driver" before "test" to build static C driver libraries. Example projects require static C driver libraries.
+        - func: "install_c_driver"
         - func: "test"
 
     - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_extra_alignment
       commands:
         - func: "setup"
         - func: "start_mongod"
-        - func: "install_c_driver"
+        - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
           vars:
               BSON_EXTRA_ALIGNMENT: 1
         - func: "compile"
         - func: "clone_drivers-evergreen-tools"
         - func: "run_kms_servers"
+        - func: "install_c_driver"
         - func: "test"
 
     - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_cxx20
       commands:
         - func: "setup"
         - func: "start_mongod"
-        - func: "install_c_driver"
+        - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
         - func: "compile"
           vars:
               RUN_DISTCHECK: 1
               REQUIRED_CXX_STANDARD: 20
         - func: "clone_drivers-evergreen-tools"
         - func: "run_kms_servers"
+        - func: "install_c_driver"
         - func: "test"
           vars:
               REQUIRED_CXX_STANDARD: 20
@@ -880,7 +896,7 @@ tasks:
       commands:
         - func: "setup"
         - func: "start_mongod"
-        - func: "install_c_driver"
+        - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
           vars:
               BSON_EXTRA_ALIGNMENT: 1
         - func: "compile"
@@ -888,6 +904,7 @@ tasks:
               REQUIRED_CXX_STANDARD: 20
         - func: "clone_drivers-evergreen-tools"
         - func: "run_kms_servers"
+        - func: "install_c_driver"
         - func: "test"
           vars:
               REQUIRED_CXX_STANDARD: 20
@@ -897,13 +914,13 @@ tasks:
       commands:
       - func: "setup"
       - func: "start_mongod"
-      - func: "install_c_driver"
+      - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
       - func: "compile"
 
     - name: compile_without_tests
       commands:
       - func: "setup"
-      - func: "install_c_driver"
+      - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
       - func: "compile"
         vars:
             ENABLE_TESTS: OFF
@@ -914,7 +931,7 @@ tasks:
         - func: "start_mongod"
           vars:
               AUTH: auth
-        - func: "install_c_driver"
+        - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
         - func: "compile"
         - func: "test auth"
         - func: "test atlas connectivity"
@@ -923,13 +940,14 @@ tasks:
       commands:
         - func: "setup"
         - func: "start_mongod"
-        - func: "install_c_driver"
+        - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
         - func: "compile"
           vars:
               USE_STATIC_LIBS: 1
               RUN_DISTCHECK: 1
         - func: "clone_drivers-evergreen-tools"
         - func: "run_kms_servers"
+        - func: "install_c_driver"
         - func: "test"
           vars:
               USE_STATIC_LIBS: 1
@@ -938,7 +956,7 @@ tasks:
       commands:
         - func: "setup"
         - func: "start_mongod"
-        - func: "install_c_driver"
+        - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
           vars:
               BSON_EXTRA_ALIGNMENT: 1
         - func: "compile"
@@ -946,11 +964,31 @@ tasks:
               USE_STATIC_LIBS: 1
         - func: "clone_drivers-evergreen-tools"
         - func: "run_kms_servers"
+        - func: "install_c_driver"
         - func: "test"
           vars:
               USE_STATIC_LIBS: 1
 
     - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set
+      commands:
+        - func: "setup"
+        - func: "start_mongod"
+          vars:
+              TOPOLOGY: "replica_set"
+        - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
+        - func: "compile"
+          vars:
+              RUN_DISTCHECK: 1
+        - func: "clone_drivers-evergreen-tools"
+        - func: "run_kms_servers"
+        - func: "install_c_driver"
+        - func: "test"
+
+    # Auto downloading the C driver in the C++ build does not currently include
+    # support for libmongocrypt, therefore it is not configured with
+    # -DENABLE_CLIENT_SIDE_ENCRYPTION=ON. For now, CSFLE tests will need to have
+    # a manually configured C driver, hence the need to seperate this task.
+    - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set_with_libmongocrypt
       commands:
         - func: "setup"
         - func: "start_mongod"
@@ -967,7 +1005,7 @@ tasks:
     - name: uninstall_check
       commands:
       - func: "setup"
-      - func: "install_c_driver"
+      - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
       - func: "compile"
       - command: expansions.update
         params:
@@ -987,7 +1025,7 @@ tasks:
     - name: uninstall_check_windows
       commands:
       - func: "setup"
-      - func: "install_c_driver"
+      - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
       - func: "compile"
       - command: expansions.update
         params:
@@ -1023,7 +1061,7 @@ tasks:
             export CMAKE="$(find_cmake_latest)"
             cd build
             $CMAKE ..
-            $CMAKE --build . -- -j 8
+            $CMAKE --build . -- -j $(nproc)
             ./hello_mongocxx
 
     - name: debian-package-build
@@ -1098,7 +1136,7 @@ tasks:
     - name: test_mongohouse
       commands:
         - func: "setup"
-        - func: "install_c_driver"
+        - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
         - func: "compile"
         - func: "build_mongohouse"
         - func: "run_mongohouse"
@@ -1113,7 +1151,7 @@ tasks:
               # Authentication with versioned API should already be tested
               # in the C driver.
               AUTH: noauth
-        - func: "install_c_driver"
+        - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
         - func: "compile"
         - func: "clone_drivers-evergreen-tools"
         - func: "run_kms_servers"
@@ -1128,7 +1166,7 @@ tasks:
           vars:
               ORCHESTRATION_FILE: versioned-api-testing.json
               AUTH: noauth
-        - func: "install_c_driver"
+        - func: "fetch_c_driver_source"
         - func: "compile"
         - func: "clone_drivers-evergreen-tools"
         - func: "run_kms_servers"
@@ -1220,7 +1258,7 @@ buildvariants:
       matrix_spec: {os: "ubuntu-1804", mongodb_version: "*"}
       display_name: "${os} replica set (MongoDB ${mongodb_version})"
       tasks:
-        - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set
+        - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set_with_libmongocrypt
 
     - matrix_name: "auth"
       matrix_spec: {os: "*", mongodb_version: "latest"}
@@ -1265,7 +1303,7 @@ buildvariants:
           - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_extra_alignment_cxx20
           - name: compile_and_test_with_static_libs
           - name: compile_and_test_with_static_libs_extra_alignment
-          - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set
+          - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set_with_libmongocrypt
           - name: build_example_with_add_subdirectory
             distros:
             - rhel90-large
@@ -1288,7 +1326,7 @@ buildvariants:
           - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_extra_alignment_cxx20
           - name: compile_and_test_with_static_libs
           - name: compile_and_test_with_static_libs_extra_alignment
-          - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set
+          - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set_with_libmongocrypt
           - name: build_example_with_add_subdirectory
             distros:
             - rhel90-arm64-large
@@ -1310,7 +1348,7 @@ buildvariants:
           - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_extra_alignment_cxx20
           - name: compile_and_test_with_static_libs
           - name: compile_and_test_with_static_libs_extra_alignment
-          - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set
+          - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set_with_libmongocrypt
           - name: build_example_with_add_subdirectory
             distros:
             - debian11-large
@@ -1354,7 +1392,7 @@ buildvariants:
           - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_extra_alignment
           - name: compile_and_test_with_static_libs
           - name: compile_and_test_with_static_libs_extra_alignment
-          - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set
+          - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set_with_libmongocrypt
           - name: build_example_with_add_subdirectory
             distros:
             - debian10-large
@@ -1381,6 +1419,18 @@ buildvariants:
             - debian10-large
           - name: uninstall_check
 
+    # Add matrix for specification test requirement of mongocryptd:
+    # "Drivers MUST run all tests with mongocryptd on at least one platform for all tested server versions (4.2+)."
+    - matrix_name: "mongocryptd"
+      matrix_spec:
+        os: "ubuntu-1804"
+        mongodb_version: ["4.2", "4.4", "5.0", "latest"]
+      display_name: "${os} (MongoDB ${mongodb_version}) with mongocryptd"
+      tasks:
+          - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set_with_libmongocrypt
+      expansions:
+        use_mongocryptd: true
+
     - name: ubuntu2004-release-latest
       display_name: "Ubuntu 20.04 Release (MongoDB Latest)"
       expansions:
@@ -1396,7 +1446,7 @@ buildvariants:
           - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_extra_alignment
           - name: compile_and_test_with_static_libs
           - name: compile_and_test_with_static_libs_extra_alignment
-          - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set
+          - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set_with_libmongocrypt
           - name: build_example_with_add_subdirectory
             distros:
             - ubuntu2004-large
@@ -1439,7 +1489,7 @@ buildvariants:
           - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_extra_alignment
           - name: compile_and_test_with_static_libs
           - name: compile_and_test_with_static_libs_extra_alignment
-          - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set
+          - name: compile_and_test_with_shared_libs_replica_set_with_libmongocrypt
           - name: build_example_with_add_subdirectory
             distros:
             - ubuntu1804-build
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 20254facb8..0fbf2c4883 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -40,6 +40,74 @@ else()
   message(WARNING "Unknown compiler... recklessly proceeding without a version check")
 endif()
 
+set(LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_VERSION 1.24.0)
+set(LIBMONGOC_DOWNLOAD_VERSION ba5ab6de26a874d33b0abc3d2b46961a69380e7a) # TODO: update to 1.25.0 once C driver 1.25.0 is released.
+set(LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_ABI_VERSION 1.0)
+
+set(NEED_DOWNLOAD_C_DRIVER false)
+if(TARGET mongoc_shared OR TARGET mongoc_static)
+  # If these targets exist, then libmongoc has already been included as a project
+  # sub-directory
+  message (STATUS "Found libmongoc targets declared in current build scope; version not checked")
+
+  if(NOT MONGOCXX_LINK_WITH_STATIC_MONGOC)
+    set(libmongoc_target mongoc_shared)
+  else()
+    set(libmongoc_target mongoc_static)
+  endif()
+
+  if(MONGOCXX_BUILD_STATIC)
+    set(mongocxx_pkg_dep "find_dependency(mongoc-1.0 REQUIRED)")
+  endif()
+else()
+    find_package(mongoc-${LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_ABI_VERSION} ${LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_VERSION} QUIET)
+    if(mongoc-${LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_ABI_VERSION}_FOUND)
+        message(STATUS "Found libmongoc ${mongoc-${LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_ABI_VERSION}_VERSION}, don't need to download it.")
+    else()
+        set(NEED_DOWNLOAD_C_DRIVER true CACHE INTERNAL "")
+    endif()
+endif()
+
+if(NEED_DOWNLOAD_C_DRIVER)
+    message(STATUS "No Mongo C Driver path provided via CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH, will download C driver version ${LIBMONGOC_DOWNLOAD_VERSION} from the internet.")
+    message(STATUS "Download and configure C driver version ${LIBMONGOC_DOWNLOAD_VERSION} ... begin")
+    include(FetchContent)
+    include(ExternalProject)
+
+    # Declare mongo-c-driver as a dependency
+    FetchContent_Declare(
+      mongo-c-driver
+      GIT_REPOSITORY https://github.com/mongodb/mongo-c-driver.git
+      GIT_TAG ${LIBMONGOC_DOWNLOAD_VERSION}
+    )
+
+    FetchContent_GetProperties(mongo-c-driver)
+    if(NOT mongo-c-driver_POPULATED)
+        set(OLD_ENABLE_TESTS ${ENABLE_TESTS})
+        set(OLD_BUILD_TESTING ${BUILD_TESTING})
+        set(OLD_CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS ${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS})
+        set(OLD_CMAKE_C_FLAGS ${CMAKE_C_FLAGS})
+
+        set(ENABLE_EXTRA_ALIGNMENT OFF)
+
+        FetchContent_Populate(mongo-c-driver)
+        # Set ENABLE_TESTS to OFF to disable the test-libmongoc target in the C driver.
+        # This prevents the LoadTests.cmake script from attempting to execute test-libmongoc.
+        # test-libmongoc is not built with the "all" target.
+        # Attempting to execute test-libmongoc results in an error: "Unable to find executable: NOT_FOUND"
+        set(ENABLE_TESTS OFF)
+        set(BUILD_TESTING OFF)
+        string(REPLACE " -Werror" "" CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS}")
+        string(REPLACE " -Werror" "" CMAKE_C_FLAGS "${CMAKE_C_FLAGS}")
+        add_subdirectory(${mongo-c-driver_SOURCE_DIR} ${mongo-c-driver_BINARY_DIR})
+        set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS ${OLD_CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS})
+        set(CMAKE_C_FLAGS ${OLD_CMAKE_C_FLAGS})
+        set(ENABLE_TESTS OLD_ENABLE_TESTS)
+        set(BUILD_TESTING OLD_BUILD_TESTING)
+    endif()
+    message(STATUS "Download and configure C driver version ${LIBMONGOC_DOWNLOAD_VERSION} ... end")
+endif()
+
 # All of our target compilers support the deprecated
 # attribute. Normally, we would just let the GenerateExportHeader
 # subsystem do this via configure check, but there appears to be a
@@ -338,23 +406,20 @@ add_custom_command (OUTPUT ${DIST_FILE}
       ${ALL_DIST} ${dist_generated_depends}
 )
 
-if(NOT (TARGET bson_shared OR TARGET mongoc_shared))
-   # If these targets exist, then libbson/libmongoc have already been included
-   # as a project sub-directory; the 'dist' and 'distcheck' targets here would
-   # collide with those declared in the mongo-c-driver project
-   add_custom_target (dist DEPENDS ${DIST_FILE})
-
-   add_custom_target (distcheck DEPENDS dist
-      COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND}
-         -D CMAKE_MODULE_PATH=${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/make_dist
-         -D CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=${CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH}
-         -D PACKAGE_PREFIX=${PACKAGE_PREFIX}
-         -D CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS=${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS}
-         -P ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/make_dist/MakeDistCheck.cmake
-   )
+if(NOT (TARGET dist OR TARGET distcheck))
+    add_custom_target (dist DEPENDS ${DIST_FILE})
+
+    add_custom_target (distcheck DEPENDS dist
+       COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND}
+          -D CMAKE_MODULE_PATH=${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/make_dist
+          -D CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=${CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH}
+          -D PACKAGE_PREFIX=${PACKAGE_PREFIX}
+          -D CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS=${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS}
+          -P ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/make_dist/MakeDistCheck.cmake
+    )
 endif()
 
-if(ENABLE_UNINSTALL AND NOT (TARGET bson_shared OR TARGET mongoc_shared))
+if(ENABLE_UNINSTALL)
     if(WIN32)
         set(UNINSTALL_PROG "uninstall.cmd")
     else()
diff --git a/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/advanced.md b/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/advanced.md
index 5e287fa0fd..ad4b73d985 100644
--- a/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/advanced.md
+++ b/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/advanced.md
@@ -19,6 +19,37 @@ cmake ..                                            \
 
 The above command would produce libraries named `libcustom_bsoncxx.so` and `libcustom_mongocxx.so` (or with the extension appropriate for the build platform).  Those libraries could be placed in a standard system directory or in an alternate location and could be linked to by specifying something like `-lcustom_mongocxx -lcustom_bsoncxx` on the linker command line (possibly adjusting the specific flags to those required by your linker).
 
+## Installing the MongoDB C driver.
+
+The mongocxx driver builds on top of the [MongoDB C driver](https://www.mongodb.com/docs/drivers/c/).
+
+The build of mongocxx-3.8.0 automatically downloads and installs the C driver if the C driver is not detected.
+To use an existing install of the C driver, set `CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH` to the directory containing the C driver install.
+
+* For mongocxx-3.8.x, libmongoc 1.24.0 or later is required.
+* For mongocxx-3.7.x, libmongoc 1.22.1 or later is required.
+* For mongocxx-3.6.x, libmongoc 1.17.0 or later is required.
+* For mongocxx-3.5.x, libmongoc 1.15.0 or later is required.
+* For mongocxx-3.4.x, libmongoc 1.13.0 or later is required.
+* For mongocxx-3.3.x, libmongoc 1.10.1 or later is required.
+* For mongocxx-3.2.x, libmongoc 1.9.2 or later is required.
+* For mongocxx-3.1.4+, libmongoc 1.7.0 or later is required.
+* For mongocxx-3.1.[0-3], libmongoc 1.5.0 or later is required.
+* For mongocxx-3.0.x, we recommend the last 1.4.x version of libmongoc
+
+Unless you know that your package manager offers a sufficiently recent version, you
+will need to download and build from the source code. Get a tarball from
+the [C Driver releases](https://github.com/mongodb/mongo-c-driver/releases)
+page.
+
+Follow the instructions for building from a tarball at
+[Installing libmongoc](http://mongoc.org/libmongoc/current/installing.html).
+
+Industry best practices and some regulations require the use of TLS 1.1
+or newer. The MongoDB C Driver supports TLS 1.1 on Linux if OpenSSL is
+at least version 1.0.1. On macOS and Windows, the C Driver uses native
+TLS implementations that support TLS 1.1.
+
 ## Advanced configuration (static configurations)
 
 The following sub-sections detail advanced options for configuring the C++ driver and/or its
diff --git a/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/linux.md b/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/linux.md
index e794b662bf..ecc8acbb3a 100644
--- a/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/linux.md
+++ b/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/linux.md
@@ -7,35 +7,7 @@ title = "Linux"
   weight = 33
 +++
 
-### Step 1: Install the latest version of the MongoDB C driver.
-
-The mongocxx driver builds on top of the MongoDB C driver.
-
-* For mongocxx-3.8.x, libmongoc 1.24.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.7.x, libmongoc 1.22.1 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.6.x, libmongoc 1.17.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.5.x, libmongoc 1.15.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.4.x, libmongoc 1.13.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.3.x, libmongoc 1.10.1 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.2.x, libmongoc 1.9.2 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.1.4+, libmongoc 1.7.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.1.[0-3], libmongoc 1.5.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.0.x, we recommend the last 1.4.x version of libmongoc
-
-Unless you know that your package manager offers a high enough version, you
-will need to download and build from the source code. Get a tarball from
-the [C Driver releases](https://github.com/mongodb/mongo-c-driver/releases)
-page.
-
-Follow the instructions for building from a tarball at
-[Installing libmongoc](http://mongoc.org/libmongoc/current/installing.html).
-
-Industry best practices and some regulations require the use of TLS 1.1
-or newer. The MongoDB C Driver supports TLS 1.1 on Linux if OpenSSL is
-at least version 1.0.1. On macOS and Windows, the C Driver uses native
-TLS implementations that support TLS 1.1.
-
-### Step 2: Choose a C++17 polyfill
+### Step 1: Choose a C++17 polyfill
 
 The mongocxx driver uses the C++17 features `std::optional` and
 `std::string_view`. To compile the mongocxx driver for pre-C++17, you
@@ -71,7 +43,7 @@ against the same library.
 **DO NOT** change your project's polyfill if you need to create a
 stable binary interface.
 
-### Step 3: Download the latest version of the mongocxx driver.
+### Step 2: Download the latest version of the mongocxx driver.
 
 The most reliable starting point for building the mongocxx driver is the latest
 release tarball.
@@ -89,9 +61,9 @@ cd mongo-cxx-driver-r3.8.0/build
 Make sure you change to the `build` directory of whatever source tree you
 obtain.
 
-### Step 4: Configure the driver
+### Step 3: Configure the driver
 
-On Unix systems, `libmongoc` installs into `/usr/local` by default. Without additional
+Without additional
 configuration, `mongocxx` installs into its local build directory as a courtesy to those who build
 from source. To configure `mongocxx` for installation into `/usr/local` as well, use the following
 `cmake` command:
@@ -111,7 +83,7 @@ cmake ..                                            \
     -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr/local
 ```
 
-### Step 5: Build and install the driver
+### Step 4: Build and install the driver
 
 If you are using the default MNMLSTC polyfill and are installing to a
 directory requiring root permissions, you should install the polyfill with
diff --git a/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/macos.md b/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/macos.md
index 8584b31f7d..54514fe58a 100644
--- a/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/macos.md
+++ b/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/macos.md
@@ -7,35 +7,7 @@ title = "macOS"
   weight = 32
 +++
 
-### Step 1: Install the latest version of the MongoDB C driver.
-
-The mongocxx driver builds on top of the MongoDB C driver.
-
-* For mongocxx-3.8.x, libmongoc 1.24.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.7.x, libmongoc 1.22.1 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.6.x, libmongoc 1.17.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.5.x, libmongoc 1.15.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.4.x, libmongoc 1.13.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.3.x, libmongoc 1.10.1 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.2.x, libmongoc 1.9.2 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.1.4+, libmongoc 1.7.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.1.[0-3], libmongoc 1.5.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.0.x, we recommend the last 1.4.x version of libmongoc
-
-Unless you know that your package manager offers a high enough version, you
-will need to download and build from the source code. Get a tarball from
-the [C Driver releases](https://github.com/mongodb/mongo-c-driver/releases)
-page.
-
-Follow the instructions for building from a tarball at
-[Installing libmongoc](http://mongoc.org/libmongoc/current/installing.html).
-
-Industry best practices and some regulations require the use of TLS 1.1
-or newer. The MongoDB C Driver supports TLS 1.1 on Linux if OpenSSL is
-at least version 1.0.1. On macOS and Windows, the C Driver uses native
-TLS implementations that support TLS 1.1.
-
-### Step 2: Choose a C++17 polyfill
+### Step 1: Choose a C++17 polyfill
 
 The mongocxx driver uses the C++17 features `std::optional` and
 `std::string_view`. To compile the mongocxx driver for pre-C++17, you
@@ -71,7 +43,7 @@ against the same library.
 **DO NOT** change your project's polyfill if you need to create a
 stable binary interface.
 
-### Step 3: Download the latest version of the mongocxx driver.
+### Step 2: Download the latest version of the mongocxx driver.
 
 The most reliable starting point for building the mongocxx driver is the latest
 release tarball.
@@ -89,9 +61,9 @@ cd mongo-cxx-driver-r3.8.0/build
 Make sure you change to the `build` directory of whatever source tree you
 obtain.
 
-### Step 4: Configure the driver
+### Step 3: Configure the driver
 
-On Unix systems, `libmongoc` installs into `/usr/local` by default. Without additional
+Without additional
 configuration, `mongocxx` installs into its local build directory as a courtesy to those who build
 from source. To configure `mongocxx` for installation into `/usr/local` as well, use the following
 `cmake` command:
@@ -111,7 +83,7 @@ cmake ..                                            \
     -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr/local
 ```
 
-### Step 5: Build and install the driver
+### Step 4: Build and install the driver
 
 If you are using the default MNMLSTC polyfill and are installing to a
 directory requiring root permissions, you should install the polyfill with
diff --git a/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/windows.md b/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/windows.md
index c61121b9e1..765d3f32d3 100644
--- a/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/windows.md
+++ b/docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/windows.md
@@ -7,38 +7,7 @@ title = "Windows"
   weight = 31
 +++
 
-### Step 1: Install the latest version of the MongoDB C driver.
-
-The mongocxx driver builds on top of the MongoDB C driver.
-
-* For mongocxx-3.8.x, libmongoc 1.24.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.7.x, libmongoc 1.22.1 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.6.x, libmongoc 1.17.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.5.x, libmongoc 1.15.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.4.x, libmongoc 1.13.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.3.x, libmongoc 1.10.1 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.2.x, libmongoc 1.9.2 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.1.4+, libmongoc 1.7.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.1.[0-3], libmongoc 1.5.0 or later is required.
-* For mongocxx-3.0.x, we recommend the last 1.4.x version of libmongoc
-
-Unless you know that your package manager offers a high enough version, you
-will need to download and build from the source code. Get a tarball from
-the [C Driver releases](https://github.com/mongodb/mongo-c-driver/releases)
-page.
-
-Follow the instructions for building from a tarball at
-[Installing libmongoc](http://mongoc.org/libmongoc/current/installing.html).
-
-Industry best practices and some regulations require the use of TLS 1.1
-or newer. The MongoDB C Driver supports TLS 1.1 on Linux if OpenSSL is
-at least version 1.0.1. On macOS and Windows, the C Driver uses native
-TLS implementations that support TLS 1.1.
-
-If you are compiling on Windows, you should disable extra alignment with
-`-DENABLE_EXTRA_ALIGNMENT=0` when configuring the C driver.
-
-### Step 2: Choose a C++17 polyfill
+### Step 1: Choose a C++17 polyfill
 
 The mongocxx driver uses the C++17 features `std::optional` and
 `std::string_view`. To compile the mongocxx driver for pre-C++17, you
@@ -74,7 +43,7 @@ against the same library.
 **DO NOT** change your project's polyfill if you need to create a
 stable binary interface.
 
-### Step 3: Download the latest version of the mongocxx driver.
+### Step 2: Download the latest version of the mongocxx driver.
 
 The most reliable starting point for building the mongocxx driver is the latest
 release tarball.
@@ -92,7 +61,7 @@ cd mongo-cxx-driver-r3.8.0/build
 Make sure you change to the `build` directory of whatever source tree you
 obtain.
 
-### Step 4: Configure the driver
+### Step 3: Configure the driver
 
 On Windows, the C++ driver is configured as follows (adjusting the path of the CMake executable as appropriate to your system):
 
@@ -100,14 +69,12 @@ On Windows, the C++ driver is configured as follows (adjusting the path of the C
 'C:\Program Files (x86)\CMake\bin\cmake.exe' .. \
      -G "Visual Studio 14 2015 Win64"           \
     -DBOOST_ROOT=C:\local\boost_1_60_0          \
-    -DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=C:\mongo-c-driver       \
     -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=C:\mongo-cxx-driver
 ```
 
 The example above assumes:
 
 * Boost is found in `C:\local\boost_1_60_0`.
-* `libmongoc` is found in `C:\mongo-c-driver`.
 * `mongocxx` is to be installed into `C:\mongo-cxx-driver`.
 
 To build with Visual Studio 2017 without a C++17 polyfill, configure as follows:
@@ -116,13 +83,9 @@ To build with Visual Studio 2017 without a C++17 polyfill, configure as follows:
 'C:\Program Files (x86)\CMake\bin\cmake.exe' .. \
     -G "Visual Studio 15 2017 Win64"            \
     -DCMAKE_CXX_STANDARD=17                     \
-    -DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=C:\mongo-c-driver       \
     -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=C:\mongo-cxx-driver  \
 ```
 
-For details on how to install libmongoc for Windows, see the
-[mongoc Windows installation instructions](http://mongoc.org/libmongoc/current/installing.html#building-windows).
-
 #### Configuring with `mongocxx` 3.7.0 and older
 
 To build versions 3.7.0 and older without a C++17 polyfill, it is necessary to configure with additional options:
@@ -134,24 +97,19 @@ To build versions 3.7.0 and older without a C++17 polyfill, it is necessary to c
     -G "Visual Studio 15 2017 Win64"            \
     -DCMAKE_CXX_STANDARD=17                     \
     -DCMAKE_CXX_FLAGS="/Zc:__cplusplus /EHsc"   \
-    -DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=C:\mongo-c-driver       \
     -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=C:\mongo-cxx-driver  \
 ```
 
 #### Configuring with `mongocxx` 3.1.x or 3.0.x
 
-Instead of the `-DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH` option, users must specify the `libmongoc` installation
-directory by using the `-DLIBMONGOC_DIR` and `-DLIBBSON_DIR` options:
-
 ```sh
 cmake ..                                            \
     -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release                      \
     -DLIBMONGOC_DIR=C:\mongo-c-driver               \
-    -DLIBBSON_DIR=C:\mongo-c-driver                 \
     -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=C:\mongo-cxx-driver
 ```
 
-### Step 5: Build and install the driver
+### Step 4: Build and install the driver
 
 Build and install the driver:
 
diff --git a/etc/make_release.py b/etc/make_release.py
index 66deb747fa..f454625677 100755
--- a/etc/make_release.py
+++ b/etc/make_release.py
@@ -124,6 +124,8 @@ def release(jira_creds_file,
     Perform the steps associated with the release.
     """
 
+    check_libmongoc_version()
+
     # Read Jira credentials and GitHub token first, to check that
     # user has proper credentials before embarking on lengthy builds.
     jira_options = {'server': 'https://jira.mongodb.org'}
@@ -221,6 +223,43 @@ def release(jira_creds_file,
         create_github_release_draft(gh_repo, release_tag, is_pre_release, dist_file,
                                     release_notes_text, output_file, quiet)
 
+
+def check_libmongoc_version():
+    got_LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_VERSION = None
+    got_LIBMONGOC_DOWNLOAD_VERSION = None
+    with open("CMakeLists.txt", "r") as cmakelists:
+        for line in cmakelists:
+            match = re.match(
+                r"set\(LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_VERSION\s+(.*?)\)", line)
+            if match:
+                if 'TODO' in line:
+                    click.echo(
+                        'Found TODO on LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_VERSION line in CMakeLists.txt: {}'.format(line))
+                    sys.exit(1)
+                got_LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_VERSION = match.group(1)
+                continue
+            match = re.match(
+                r"set\(LIBMONGOC_DOWNLOAD_VERSION\s+(.*?)\)", line)
+            if match:
+                if 'TODO' in line:
+                    click.echo(
+                        'Found TODO on LIBMONGOC_DOWNLOAD_VERSION line in CMakeLists.txt: {}'.format(line))
+                    sys.exit(1)
+                got_LIBMONGOC_DOWNLOAD_VERSION = match.group(1)
+                continue
+    assert got_LIBMONGOC_DOWNLOAD_VERSION
+    assert got_LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_VERSION
+    libmongoc_version_pattern = r'[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+'
+    if not re.match (libmongoc_version_pattern, got_LIBMONGOC_DOWNLOAD_VERSION):
+        click.echo("Expected LIBMONGOC_DOWNLOAD_VERSION to match: {}, got: {}".format(
+            libmongoc_version_pattern, got_LIBMONGOC_DOWNLOAD_VERSION))
+        sys.exit(1)
+    if not re.match (libmongoc_version_pattern, got_LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_VERSION):
+        click.echo("Expected LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_VERSION to match: {}, got: {}".format(
+            libmongoc_version_pattern, got_LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_VERSION))
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+
 # pylint: enable=too-many-arguments,too-many-locals,too-many-branches,too-many-statements
 def is_valid_remote(remote):
     """
diff --git a/etc/releasing.md b/etc/releasing.md
index 9cfa8f37b9..aadb671f3a 100644
--- a/etc/releasing.md
+++ b/etc/releasing.md
@@ -205,6 +205,14 @@ pushed.
 - Checkout the master branch. Push the commit containing changes to `etc/` and
   `docs/`. This may require pushing the commit to a fork of the C++ Driver
   repository and creating a pull request.
+- Edit the `Installing the MongoDB C driver` section of
+  `docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/advanced.md` to reflect libmongoc
+  requirements.
+- Edit `docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/linux.md`,
+  `docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/macos.md` and
+  `docs/content/mongocxx-v3/installation/windows.md`.
+   If the release was not a release candidate, update `Step 2` to reflect the
+   new latest stable version to download.
 
 ## Homebrew
 This requires a macOS machine. 
diff --git a/src/mongocxx/CMakeLists.txt b/src/mongocxx/CMakeLists.txt
index eb328587e6..45f6bfc1d0 100644
--- a/src/mongocxx/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/mongocxx/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -29,9 +29,6 @@ message ("mongocxx version: ${MONGOCXX_VERSION}")
 set(MONGOCXX_INLINE_NAMESPACE "v${MONGOCXX_ABI_VERSION}")
 set(MONGOCXX_HEADER_INSTALL_DIR "${CMAKE_INSTALL_INCLUDEDIR}/mongocxx/${MONGOCXX_INLINE_NAMESPACE}" CACHE INTERNAL "")
 
-set(LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_VERSION 1.24.0)
-set(LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_ABI_VERSION 1.0)
-
 set(mongocxx_pkg_dep "")
 
 if(TARGET mongoc_shared OR TARGET mongoc_static)
@@ -69,7 +66,6 @@ else()
       find_package(libmongoc-${LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_ABI_VERSION} ${LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_VERSION} REQUIRED)
       message ("found libmongoc version ${MONGOC_VERSION}")
       set(libmongoc_target ${MONGOC_LIBRARIES})
-      set(libmongoc_include_directories ${MONGOC_INCLUDE_DIRS})
       set(libmongoc_definitions ${MONGOC_DEFINITIONS})
       if(MONGOCXX_BUILD_STATIC)
         set(mongocxx_pkg_dep "find_dependency(libmongoc-1.0 REQUIRED)")
@@ -78,7 +74,6 @@ else()
       find_package(libmongoc-static-${LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_ABI_VERSION} ${LIBMONGOC_REQUIRED_VERSION} REQUIRED)
       message ("found libmongoc version ${MONGOC_STATIC_VERSION}")
       set(libmongoc_target ${MONGOC_STATIC_LIBRARIES})
-      set(libmongoc_include_directories ${MONGOC_STATIC_INCLUDE_DIRS})
       set(libmongoc_definitions ${MONGOC_STATIC_DEFINITIONS})
       if(MONGOCXX_BUILD_STATIC)
         set(mongocxx_pkg_dep "find_dependency(libmongoc-static-1.0 REQUIRED)")