General Questions?

CAN ANYONE OBTAIN INFORMATION ON FILE AT THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE?

Yes, all records filed in the Register of Deeds office are public records.  Anyone can view and obtain a copy of any public document on file in the office.

ARE WILLS FILED IN THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE?

No, wills are filed in the Duplin County Clerk of Court's Office.

CAN I OBTAIN A COPY OF MY SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND DIVORCE IN THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE?

Separation agreements can be obtained in the Register of Deeds Office, but divorces are filed in the Clerk of Court's Office.

Real Property Related Questions?

WHAT IS A DEED?

A deed is a written instrument that, when executed and delivered, conveys title to or an interest in real estate.

DOES A DEED HAVE TO BE RECORDED?

After a deed has been drawn up, it should be recorded as soon as possible.  Failure to record a deed could render the transfer or mortgaging of the property impossible to prove and create numerous legal difficulties.

WHAT IF I HAVE LOST MY DEED?

Relax, the primary evidence of ownership of land is not so much the deed itself as the recording of the deed.  If your deed is misplaced or lost, a copy may be obtained from the Register of Deeds Office and certified with the Register's official seal.

HOW FAR BACK DO DUPLIN COUNTY 'S PROPERTY RECORDS GO?

The earliest records in the Duplin County Register of Deeds office date back to 1749.

CAN I MAKE MY OWN DEED?

The answer to this question is yes, you can.  However, it is highly recommended that you retain the services of an attorney.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR A DEED OR OTHER DOCUMENT SUBMITTED FOR FILING TO BE RETURNED?

Duplin County has a system of instant recording.  Documents presented for recording are handed back to the presenter within a few minutes.  Those received in the mail are generally mailed back within 24 hours.

CAN THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE TELL ME IF I HAVE GOOD AND CLEAR TITLE TO MY PROPERTY?

No, North Carolina law prohibits the Register of Deeds from doing title searches or practicing law.

WHAT ARE EXCISE STAMPS?

A tax of $1.00 per $500.00 (more easily calculated as $2.00 per $1,000.00) of the purchase price is mandated by NC state law to be paid by the grantor or seller.

HOW DO I REMOVE A NAME FROM OR ADD A NAME TO MY DEED?

You will have to have a new deed drawn up and filed.  It is recommended that you consult an attorney.

Birth Records Related Questions?

HOW FAR BACK DO DUPLIN COUNTY'S BIRTH RECORDS GO?

Birth records on file in our office date back to October of 1913.

IF I WAS BORN IN ANOTHER COUNTY CAN I STILL GET A COPY OF MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE AT THE DUPLIN COUNTY REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE?

No, only those births occurring in Duplin County are on file in our office.

WHO CAN GET A CERTIFIED COPY OF MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE?

Only the individual, their spouse, brother, sister, child, parent, authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative may obtain a certified copy.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN A CERTIFIED COPY OF A BIRTH CERTIFICATE?

You may visit the Register of Deeds Office in person or request the copy by mail.  If requesting a copy by mail, please send a $10.00 in state check or money order along with a self addressed stamped envelope to the Duplin County Register of Deeds, PO Box 970 , Kenansville , NC 28349 .  Requests for Birth Certificates must include the requestor's relationship to the individual named on the certificate, the full name of the person named on the certificate, their date of birth, father's full name and mother's full maiden name.  In addition, the requestor must submit a copy of a government issued picture ID.  To obtain a Birth Certificate in person you must present a valid government issued picture ID.

Request for a Vital Record (Acrobat PDF Version)

Death Records Related Questions?

HOW FAR BACK DO DUPLIN COUNTY 'S DEATH RECORDS GO?

Death records on file in our office date back to October of 1913.

IF AN INDIVIDUAL DIED IN ANOTHER COUNTY CAN A COPY OF THEIR DEATH CERTIFICATE STILL BE OBTAINED AT THE DUPLIN COUNTY REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE?

No, only those deaths occurring in Duplin County are on file in our office.

WHO CAN GET A CERTIFIED COPY OF AN INDIVIDUALS DEATH CERTIFICATE?

Only the spouse, brother, sister, child, parent, authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative may obtain a certified copy.  Uncertified copies may be obtained by anyone.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN A CERTIFIED COPY OF A DEATH CERTIFICATE?

You may visit the Register of Deeds Office in person or request the copy by mail.  If requesting by mail, please send a $10.00 in state check or money order along with a self addresses stamped envelope to the Duplin County Register of Deeds, PO Box 970 , Kenansville , NC 28349 .  Requests for Death Certificates must include the full name of the deceased, the date of death and a copy of a government issued picture ID of the individual making the request.  To obtain a Death Certificate in person you must present a valid government issued picture ID.

Request for a Vital Record (Acrobat PDF Version)

Marriage License Related Questions?

WHAT IS THE COST OF A MARRIAGE LICENSE?

$60.00

CAN WE APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE IN DUPLIN COUNTY AND GET MARRIED IN ANY COUNTY IN THE STATE?

Yes, Couples can apply for a marriage license in Duplin County and get married in any county in the state, but once married the license must be returned to Duplin County and will only be on file here.

IS A PREMARITAL PHYSICAL STILL REQUIRED?

No.

HOW LONG IS LICENSE VALID?

The license is valid 60 days from the date it is issued.

Military Discharge Related Questions?

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO FILE MY MILITARY DISCHARGE OR DD-214?

There is no fee for filing a military discharge.  Certified copies of military discharges are free to military veterans.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING IN TO PUT MY DISCHARGE ON FILE?

The entire DD-214 is required.

Notary Public Related Questions?

HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHEN THE NEXT NOTARY PUBLIC CLASS WILL BE TAUGHT?

The Notary course of instruction is taught in our area through the Continuing Education Department at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville.  Their phone number is (910) 296-2460.

WILL THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE SEND ME A REMINDER THAT MY COMMISSION IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE?

No, it is the responsibility of each notary to submit an application for a new appointment no more than 4 weeks before their current commission expires.  The application form can be downloaded from the Notary section of the website.

MY COMMISSION HAS EXPIRED, BUT I HAVE APPLIED FOR A NEW APPOINTMENT.  CAN I STILL PERFORM OFFICIAL ACTS AS A NOTARY IN THE MEANTIME?

No, this is a criminal offense that can lead to revocation of the notary's commission.

Phone:	(910) 296-2108
Fax:	(910) 296-2344
Mailing Address:	PO Box 970, Kenansville, NC 28349
Location:	Duplin County Courthouse Annex, Room #106
Hours of Operation:	Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
E-mail:	dbrinson@duplincountync.com