Information about obtaining Vital Records

These links were checked on June 30, 2009.

Vital Records may be obtained in New Hanover County from:
The Registrar of Deeds
216 N. 2nd Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Telephone (910) 798-4530


The web site for research and information is: New Hanover County Register of Deeds
You can download and fill out forms to obtain birth, death and marriage certificates as well as look up info on their site.


By mail or in person certified copies of certificates are $10.00.
By mail uncertified certificates cost $1.00
In person certificates cost .25..that's right -- one quarter!

In case you are not aware, the cost of obtaining records through the NC Archives is VERY expensive for out of state researchers! It is incredibly less to obtain copies through local counties....some counties only charge 25 or 50-cents for a copy!!

BUT, if you are out of state and contact NC Archives, you MUST INCLUDE a $20 fee and this is for ONE question about ONE person, or ONE record! This usually will cover the cost of the copy, as well.....BUT, it's awfully steep! (And no, if they do not find anything, they do NOT return your money!)

This link goes direct to NC Archives mail query policy... NC Archives

For those who may not be aware.....if you are IN state in NC, you CAN query NC Archives via email (but ONLY for IN-state residents!). You must provide your *snail mail* address.....and NC Archives will respond to you via that. You can only ask ONE question per email, however. But there is no limit on the number of emails. The following information also comes from the above url under "general information": Requests from North Carolina residents may also be sent by Fax: (919) 733-1354 or e-mail: Responses will be by U. S. Mail. The Archives currently cannot respond to out-of-state requests received by fax or e-mail


You can also go through Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness. They have many volunteers who are willing to go and obtain copies of certificates for you. Remember, the person must be deceased before they can obtain birth or death certificates for you! Here is the link for Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness They will only charge you for the cost of the copies!


  • NC Vital Records Where and how to obtain NC Vital Records
  • VitiCheck Order Vital Records by phone, fax, or mail


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