Find Wilmington Death Records
Wilmington death records are held by the New Hanover County Register of Deeds. The city of Wilmington does not issue death certificates on its own. All death index records for the Wilmington area pass through the county office. The Register of Deeds has death records from 1913 to the present for events in New Hanover County. Wilmington residents can get copies in person at the county office, order online, or request by mail. This guide covers each method and what you will need to complete your request.
Wilmington Death Records Quick Facts
Wilmington Death Records Office
The New Hanover County Register of Deeds is where death records are kept for Wilmington. The office is at 216 North 2nd Street, Room 2, Wilmington, NC 28401. The staff maintains birth, death, and marriage records for all events in New Hanover County.
To get a death certificate in person, visit during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Bring valid photo ID and $10 per certified copy. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID will work. The staff can look up records and print copies while you wait. Call 866-687-1464 to check hours before you go to the Wilmington office.
Wilmington residents must show their link to the deceased for certified copies. Eligible people include the spouse, parent, child, sibling, or legal representative. Uncertified copies are open to anyone for general use.
Online Death Index Orders for Wilmington
New Hanover County offers online ordering for death certificates. The county Register of Deeds website provides instructions on how to submit requests from home. This option lets Wilmington residents order records without visiting the office in person.
Online orders are not as fast as going to the office in person. The base fee for a certified copy is $10. A small processing charge may apply for credit card payments. Orders go to the New Hanover County Register of Deeds for review and fulfillment. Wilmington area deaths from 1913 to the present are available through this system.
Wilmington Death Certificate Steps
The City of Wilmington provides many local services, though death records are handled at the county level. Visit the City of Wilmington website for other city services.
A certified death record from Wilmington can be used for several legal needs. These include claiming death benefits, filing insurance claims, notifying Social Security, and settling estate matters. The certified copy carries an official seal and signature from the Register of Deeds. Uncertified copies do not have this seal and cannot be used for legal claims.
Wilmington residents who need to request by mail should send their completed form, photo ID copy, and payment to the New Hanover County Register of Deeds at 216 North 2nd Street, Room 2, Wilmington, NC 28401. Include the name of the deceased, date of death, your name and address, and how you are linked to the deceased.
North Carolina Death Index from Wilmington
The North Carolina Vital Records office in Raleigh is another option for Wilmington residents. The state holds death records from 1930 to the present for all counties. The fee is $24 for a search and one copy. Extra copies from the same search cost $15 each.
This option works best when you do not know which county a death took place in. The state office can search all counties at once. However, wait times are long. Orders may take over 100 business days. For deaths in the Wilmington area, the New Hanover County office is faster and costs less at $10 per copy.
Note: The $24 state search fee is non-refundable even if no Wilmington area death record is found.
Who Can Get Wilmington Death Records
North Carolina General Statute 130A-93 sets the rules for who can get certified death certificates. These rules apply in Wilmington just as they do in every other city in the state. Eligible people include:
- Spouse of the deceased
- Parent or stepparent
- Child or stepchild
- Sibling of the deceased
- Grandparent or grandchild
- Person with a legal right to the record
- Attorney or authorized agent
Anyone can request an uncertified copy for research or personal use in Wilmington. These copies carry no legal weight but work well for genealogy and family records.
Death Records Research in Wilmington
Wilmington has a rich history as a port city. Death records in New Hanover County date back to 1913. For family history research, uncertified copies are available at a low cost. The county office can help you find records by name or date range.
For older records, the North Carolina State Archives has original death files from 1913 to 1975 for most counties. Records before 1913 may be at the county Register of Deeds or in local church and cemetery records. Wilmington's long history means many older vital records exist for the area, making it a good spot for genealogy research in eastern North Carolina.
Uses for Wilmington Death Certificates
A certified death certificate from Wilmington serves many legal purposes. Common uses include claiming life insurance benefits, notifying the Social Security Administration, settling estate matters, and transferring property titles. Banks and financial firms often require a certified copy before releasing funds from a deceased person's accounts.
Uncertified copies work for personal records and family research. They are cheaper and easier to get since anyone can request them. The New Hanover County office in Wilmington can issue both types during a single visit. If you are not sure which type you need, the staff can guide you based on how you plan to use the Wilmington death record.
New Hanover County Death Index
Wilmington is the county seat of New Hanover County. All death records for the Wilmington area pass through the county Register of Deeds. For complete details on New Hanover County death record services, fees, and request methods, see the county page.