US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 37129

New Hanover County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for New Hanover County, North Carolina. Serving a population of 238.852 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Wilmington • Land Area: 192,255 sq mi • State: North Carolina (NC)
Call: (919) 693-3899 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

New Hanover County Courthouse / Recording Office, Wilmington, NC 28403

Seat of government for New Hanover County in Wilmington, NC.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(919) 693-3899

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 37129 • Coordinates: 34.1834° N, -77.8642° W
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Filing Checklist

Before You Visit New Hanover County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

New Hanover County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by N.C.G.S. § 161-10 & § 105-228.30
First Page Base Fee
$26.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$4.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
$1.00 per $500 ($2.00 per $1,000) Excise Stamp Tax on conveyances
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in North Carolina:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in New Hanover County

License Fee $60.00
Waiting Period 0 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 60 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the New Hanover County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Issued by Register of Deeds. Valid 60 days anywhere in NC.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $10.00
Death Cert $10.00
Marriage Cert $10.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through North Carolina Vital Records (NCDHHS) & County Register of Deeds and the local New Hanover County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in New Hanover County

Filing Fee: $26.00
1. Filing Authority

In New Hanover County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Register of Deeds.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in North Carolina.

3. State Rules & Notice

Assumed Business Name certificate filed with local Register of Deeds; transmitted automatically to statewide database (EDPBR).

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in New Hanover County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the New Hanover County Register of Deeds. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in North Carolina.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
North Carolina Compliant
Register LLC / DBA Online Official partner filing service • Expedited processing
State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official North Carolina Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with North Carolina county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get North Carolina Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in North Carolina

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring North Carolina recording offices:

Pender County Seat: Burgaw
~22.8 mi →
Brunswick County Seat: Bolivia
~23.1 mi →
Columbus County Seat: Whiteville
~44.6 mi →
Onslow County Seat: Jacksonville
~45.1 mi →
Bladen County Seat: Elizabethtown
~47.7 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: New Hanover County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the New Hanover County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official New Hanover County office is located at New Hanover County Courthouse / Recording Office, Wilmington, NC 28403. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (919) 693-3899.
How much does it cost to record a deed in New Hanover County?
Under North Carolina statute (N.C.G.S. § 161-10 & § 105-228.30), recording a real property deed or mortgage in New Hanover County costs $26.00 for the first page, plus $4.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $1.00 per $500 ($2.00 per $1,000) Excise Stamp Tax on conveyances.
How do I obtain a marriage license in New Hanover County, NC?
Both applicants must appear in person before the New Hanover County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $60.00. North Carolina requires a waiting period of 0 hours, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in New Hanover County?
In New Hanover County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Register of Deeds with a standard statutory filing fee of $26.00. Assumed Business Name certificate filed with local Register of Deeds; transmitted automatically to statewide database (EDPBR).
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in New Hanover County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $10.00 and death certificates starting at $10.00) can be requested through the North Carolina Vital Records (NCDHHS) & County Register of Deeds or directly at the New Hanover County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.