New Hanover County Marriage Records

New Hanover County marriage records are managed by the Register of Deeds in Wilmington, North Carolina. Morghan Getty Collins serves as Register of Deeds for the county. The office handles marriage license applications by appointment and stores all vital records for marriages performed in New Hanover County. This guide covers the office locations, the appointment requirement, how to get certified copies, and where to find historical marriage records for this coastal county.

New Hanover County Register of Deeds

The main office of the New Hanover County Register of Deeds is at 320 Chestnut Street in Wilmington, NC 28401. The phone number is (910) 798-4530. A satellite office is located at 230 Government Center Drive. Morghan Getty Collins is the Register of Deeds and oversees all records and license services. The main office and satellite location together serve the full county, including Wilmington and surrounding communities.

New Hanover County is home to Wilmington, the largest city on the North Carolina coast. The Register of Deeds handles a substantial volume of marriage license applications each year given the area's popularity as a wedding destination. The office is also the keeper of all vital records for the county. All records except DD214 military discharge papers are public records under North Carolina law.

New Hanover County Marriage License by Appointment

Marriage license applications in New Hanover County are handled by appointment only. Both applicants must be present for the appointment. Schedule your appointment by calling (910) 798-4530 or through the Register of Deeds website at nhcgov.com/rod. Walk-in applications are not accepted for marriage licenses. Plan ahead if you have a specific ceremony date in mind.

Both parties need a valid government-issued photo ID. Under NCGS 51-8, both applicants must appear in person. The license costs $60. No waiting period applies once the license is issued. It is valid for 60 days and may be used anywhere in North Carolina.

If either applicant was previously married, bring documentation showing how that marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate satisfies the requirement under NCGS 51-16. After the ceremony, the signed license must be returned to the New Hanover County Register of Deeds for recording under NCGS 51-6.

New Hanover County Register of Deeds Locations

The main office at 320 Chestnut Street in Wilmington is the primary location for all official business. The satellite office at 230 Government Center Drive provides additional access for residents in the northern part of the county. Both offices are part of the same Register of Deeds system under Register Collins.

The Clerk of Superior Court for New Hanover County is a separate office. It is located at 316 Princess Street in Wilmington. The phone number for the Clerk of Superior Court is (910) 772-6600. The Clerk handles court matters, including name changes following a marriage or divorce. These are two different offices with different functions. Make sure you are contacting the right one for your specific need.

For questions about which location to visit for a specific request, call the main number at (910) 798-4530. Staff can direct you to the right office or let you know if your request can be handled by phone, mail, or through the online portal.

New Hanover County Marriage Records Access

All records held by the New Hanover County Register of Deeds are public records under North Carolina law, with the exception of DD214 military discharge forms. This means anyone can request a copy of a marriage record. You do not need to be a party to the marriage to view the record.

Certified copies of New Hanover County marriage records are available at the Register of Deeds offices in Wilmington. Bring a valid photo ID and provide the names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. Under NCGS 130A-93, the office issues certified copies to qualified requestors. The online portal at registerofdeeds.nhcgov.com provides access to many indexed records.

For statewide marriage records from 1962 onward, North Carolina Vital Records at vitalrecords.nc.gov is also an option. Contact the Register of Deeds in Wilmington for older records specific to New Hanover County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border New Hanover County in coastal southeastern North Carolina.