FAQs
General Questions?
WHAT IS YOUR ADDRESS?
The Duplin County Register of Deeds Office is located in the Duplin County Courthouse.
Our physical address is: 118 Duplin Street; Courthouse Annex Room 106, Kenansville, NC 28349.
Our mailing address is: Post Office Box 970; Kenansville, NC 28349.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS OF OPERATION?
The office is open from 8:0 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for Duplin County-observed holidays. Documents for recording are accepted from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Marriage licenses, and birth and death records may be obtained from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is necessary for couples to arrive at the office before 4:30 p.m. to complete the paperwork necessary to obtain a marriage license.
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. The only exception are military discharge documents which are considered public records with limited access. These discharge records must have been on record for 80 years or more before they become public records.
CAN THE REGISTER OF DEEDS TELL ME WHO OWNS PROPERTY AT A SPECIFIC ADDRESS?
The Register of Deeds real property records system is name-based. To search for a property by address, visit the Duplin County GIS Department or call 910-296-2110.
CAN I GET A COPY OF A WILL 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?
HOW DO I ADD OR REMOVE NAMES FROM A DEED?
Deed name changes require the submittal of a new deed to the Register of Deeds office. We suggest that you consult an attorney unless you are familiar with creating legal documents. The Register of Deeds cannot add or remove names from deeds.
WHAT IS THE REAL ESTATE EXCISE TAX ON DEEDS?
The State of North Carolina requires that before an instrument conveying an interest in real property can be recorded the Register of Deeds must collect the state’s real estate excise tax based on the consideration or value of the interest in the property conveyed.
WHAT IS THE EXCISE TAX CALCULATION ON A DEED?
| August 1, 1991 to present | $2 per thousand |
| 1969 to July, 1991 | $1 per thousand |
| Prior to 1968 | $1.10 per thousand |
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.
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.
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?
Yes you can if you were born between 1971 and the present. Those individuals born prior to 1971 must contact the Register of Deeds in the county in which they were born or the NC State Office of Vital Records in Raleigh, NC.
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, request the copy by mail or via the internet at: https://www.getcertificatenow.com/Duplin . 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.
Duplin County Application for Copy of Vital Record (PDF)
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, in North Carolina death certificates are only filed in the county in which the individual actually expires.
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, request the copy by mail or via the internet at: https://www.getcertificatenow.com/Duplin . 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.
Duplin County Application for Copy of Vital Records (PDF)
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 obtain 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.
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 and a copy of a valid government issued photo ID are required in order to file a military discharge document.
Notary Public Related Questions?
DO I NEED AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE A NOTARY PUBLIC OATH AND WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME?
No appointment is necessary. Once you receive notification from the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State’s Office, come in any time between 8:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Please bring your notice from the Secretary of State’s office and a government issued photo ID. The $10 fee is payable by cash, check and debit/credit card.
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.