New Hanover Death Records

New Hanover County death records are held at the Register of Deeds office in Wilmington, North Carolina. The county was formed in 1729 from Craven County and is one of the oldest in the state. Death certificates on file go back to 1913. You can visit the office at the courthouse, send a request by mail, or contact the staff by phone. This page explains how to find and request New Hanover County death records, what fees apply, and where to look for older records.

New Hanover County Register of Deeds

The New Hanover County Register of Deeds is at 3rd and Princess Street, Room 103, Wilmington, NC 28401. This is the office that stores and issues death records for the county. Staff can look up a death record and provide copies on the same day for in-person visits. The office also handles birth certificates, marriage licenses, and land records.

New Hanover County has birth and death records from 1913 forward. That is the year state law first required formal recording of vital events at the county level. For records before that date, you will need to check other sources. The Register of Deeds staff can point you in the right direction if the record you need is not on file.

A certified death certificate from New Hanover County costs $10. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Under G.S. 130A-93, only certain people have the right to a certified copy. The staff will check your ID and confirm your link to the deceased before they issue the record.

Historical Death Records

New Hanover County has a rich history that goes back to 1729. Because of this, many people search for death records that are well over a hundred years old. The formal vital records system did not start until 1913, so older records must be found through other paths. There are several collections that cover deaths in New Hanover County from before the modern era.

The 1898 to 1994 North Carolina Deaths and Burials collection is one source. The 1906 to 1930 North Carolina Deaths file is another. Both are available through large genealogy databases. The 1908 to 2004 North Carolina Death Indexes on Ancestry can help you find a record by name and narrow down the year. The 1909 to 1975 North Carolina Death Certificates on Ancestry offer full images of the original forms. The 1931 to 1994 North Carolina Deaths file rounds out the set.

These collections are not held at the New Hanover County office. They are hosted by private genealogy sites and by the state. If you need a death record from New Hanover County that falls in these date ranges, these databases are a good place to look.

Note: Access to some of these databases requires a paid account. Your local library may offer free access to Ancestry and other genealogy tools.

Wilmington Cemetery Records

The 1852 to 2005 Wilmington Cemetery Records on FamilySearch are a strong resource for death record research in New Hanover County. These records list the names and dates of people buried in Wilmington area cemeteries. They can help fill gaps when a formal death certificate is not on file.

Cemetery records often include the date of death, age, and sometimes the cause. Some entries note the name of a spouse or parent. These details can help you confirm a death or find clues that lead to other records. The FamilySearch site is free to use and does not require a paid account.

If you are looking for a death that took place in Wilmington or the wider New Hanover County area, the cemetery records are a smart place to search. They cover over 150 years of burials and include both large and small cemeteries in the area.

New Hanover County Library Resources

The New Hanover County Public Library at 201 Chestnut Street in Wilmington has a local history and genealogy section. The library holds records that can support your search for New Hanover County death records. Staff there can help you use microfilm, old newspapers, and other tools to find details about a death.

Old newspaper death notices are one of the most useful tools at the library. The Wilmington area has had local papers for a very long time. Death notices and funeral announcements can fill in facts that a formal death record may not include. The library is free to visit and open to the public.

Under G.S. 130A Article 4, the state oversees the vital records system. But local libraries often hold copies of records and indexes that are not easy to find elsewhere. The New Hanover County Public Library is a strong second stop if the Register of Deeds does not have what you need.

Who Can Request Death Records

North Carolina law limits who can get a certified death certificate from New Hanover County. Close family members have the right. This includes the spouse, a parent, or an adult child of the person who died. A legal guardian or attorney who acts for an eligible person can also request a certified copy.

If you are not in one of these groups, you can still get a non-certified copy. It holds the same facts but does not carry the raised seal of the Register of Deeds. Non-certified copies are fine for research, family history work, and personal files. The fee is lower than for a certified copy.

Under G.S. 130A-93.1, you must show a valid photo ID with each request. The New Hanover County office accepts a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. If you send a request by mail, include a clear copy of your ID with the letter.

State Vital Records Office

The North Carolina Vital Records office in Raleigh holds death records from all 100 counties, including New Hanover. If the county office does not have the record, the state may. You can order through the state ordering page or by mail.

The North Carolina State Archives is another key resource. The archives hold estate papers, church records, and old court files that may note a death in New Hanover County. These records go back well before 1913 and can be very useful for early family research.

The NC Association of Registers of Deeds has a list of all county offices in the state. If the death took place outside New Hanover County, you can use this list to find the right office to contact.

Search Tips for New Hanover County

Have the full name of the deceased ready. This is the most useful fact for any search. If you know the date of death, share that too. The more facts you give the staff, the faster they can find the record.

Older records may have different spellings or name forms. Try more than one version of the name if your first search comes up empty. Maiden names, middle names, and nicknames can all be useful. New Hanover County death records from the early 1900s may list a spouse or parent, which helps the staff match the right file.

Note: If you plan to visit the New Hanover County Register of Deeds, call ahead to confirm hours and ask what forms of payment the office accepts.