Vital Records

The local Health Director serves as the county vital records registrar for the registration of all births and deaths, and fetal deaths, in New Hanover County, as well as the issuance of Burial Transit Permits and Disinterment / Re-interment Permits.

Notification of Death

A funeral director, or person acting as such, who first assumes custody of a dead body, or fetus of 20 completed weeks gestation or more, shall submit a notification of death to the local vital records registrar in the county where the death occurred within 24 hours of taking custody of the body or fetus.

To submit the Notification of Death by fax, please fax to 910-798-7834.

Death Certificates

The funeral director, or person acting as such, is responsible for filing a Certificate of Death with the local vital records registrar of the district where the death occurred within 5 days after death.

To purchase certified copies of Death and Birth Certificates, you will need to contact the New Hanover County Register of Deeds at 910-798-4530 and ask for Vital Records or visit the Register of Deeds webpage.

Birth Certificates

A certificate of birth for each live birth regardless of the gestation period, which occurs in this State shall be filed with the local vital records registrar of the county in which the birth occurs within 10 days after the birth.

To purchase certified copies of Death and Birth Certificates, you will need to contact the New Hanover County Register of Deeds at 910-798-4530 and ask for Vital Records or visit the Register of Deeds webpage.

Burial Transit and Disinterment / Reinternment Permits

The New Hanover County deputy vital records registrar issues Burial Transit and Disinterment / Reinternment Permits during regular business hours. There is no fee for these permits.

Affidavit of Parentage

An Affidavit of Parentage can be completed at New Hanover County Public Health by appointment only for children up to the age of 18. You will need to provide, for both parents, a current government-issued photo ID.