SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all New Hanover County record-source URLs verified against the official local and North Carolina state publishers on the review date. 1 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
New Hanover County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for New Hanover County, North Carolina — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
243,333
Population
Census estimate
99,975
Households
Census estimate
$67,515
Median income
Annual household
$320,000
Median home value
Census ACS
Wilmington
County seat
In North Carolina
Criminal records
see state portal
Court records
2 sources
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
2 sources
Vital records
1 source
Voter records
see state portal
Professional licenses
see state portal
Recorded documents
see state portal
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
New Hanover County Records at a Glance
| Record type | New Hanover County verified sources |
|---|---|
| Court records | Portal Michael McIntyre | New Hanover County, NC |
| Criminal records | No verified source — see New Hanover County state portal below |
| Wants & warrants | No verified source — see New Hanover County state portal below |
| Property records | GIS, Maps, & Data | New Hanover County, NC Tax Department | New Hanover County, NC |
| Vital records | Births, Deaths & Marriage License Certified Copies | New… |
| Voter records | No verified source — see New Hanover County state portal below |
| Professional licenses | No verified source — see New Hanover County state portal below |
| Recorded documents | No verified source — see New Hanover County state portal below |
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for New Hanover County. Data verified June 04, 2026.
What Changed in 2026 — New Hanover County Records
2026
New Hanover County official government portal active
The official New Hanover County government website at www.nhcgov.com continues to serve as the canonical local source.
2026
New Hanover County court records portal verified
State court system links for New Hanover County verified against the North Carolina judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
New Hanover County property records online
New Hanover County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside North Carolina, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements all county-level state records.
The 4-Step New Hanover County Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Start at the New Hanover County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the New Hanover County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the North Carolina statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the North Carolina state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.
Five Things People Get Wrong About New Hanover County Records
❌ Myth: "New Hanover County maintains all criminal records."
✓ Truth: False. Criminal records for New Hanover County are held by the North Carolina state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
❌ Myth: "Records sealed in New Hanover County are gone everywhere."
✓ Truth: False. Sealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
❌ Myth: "Free 'instant background' sites have New Hanover County data."
✓ Truth: False. Only the official North Carolina state repository has verified, current New Hanover County data. Free sites often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "The New Hanover County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
✓ Truth: False. The New Hanover County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
❌ Myth: "All county records older than 50 years are public."
✓ Truth: Partially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).
Primary Sources (All Verified)
- www.nhcgov.com — Official New Hanover County government website
- fbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary (federal record)
Related — New Hanover County & North Carolina Records
For records not specific to New Hanover County, use North Carolina's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 North Carolina statewide record systems:
- North Carolina Court Records →
- North Carolina Criminal Records →
- North Carolina Property Records →
- North Carolina Vital Records →
- North Carolina Voter Records →
- North Carolina Wants & Warrants →
- North Carolina Licenses →
- North Carolina Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
North Carolina statewide records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National directories: Court records · Criminal records · Property records · Vital records · Federal databases
About New Hanover County, North Carolina
New Hanover County is located in southeast North Carolina. The county seat is Wilmington (official site: http://www.nhcgov.com/).
- Population: 243,333
- Households: 99,975
- Median household income: $67,515
- Median home value: $320,000
- Below poverty line: 12.7%
- Land area: 192.2 sq mi
- Population density: 1,265.9 people / sq mi
- Public libraries indexed: 5
- NCES schools indexed: 46
New Hanover County, NC - Official Government Website
Official Free
Official website of New Hanover County, North Carolina. Access county services, permits, tax info, public notices, and community resources.
NBHD NBHD NAME A1R54 ELLIOTT PLACE A1R55 RIVER ISLAND A1R56
Official Free
NEW HANOVER MEDICAL + SURROUNDING · CIBX0C · COM CONDOS IN CIBX0 · CIC00 · BURNETT BLVD TO SHIPYARD · CIC00C · WILLIE STARGELL OFFICE PARK · CIC01 · BELMONT · CIC01 · BELMONT · CIC01C · CIC05 · SOUTH OF OLEANDER; NORTH OF SHIPYARD · CIC05C · COM CONDOS IN CICD3 AREA · CICB2 · CAROLINA BCH RD - SHIPYARD TO INDEPEND.
Portal
Official Free
Contact the Clerk of Court in the county where the case is assigned for specific case information, email ecourts@nccourts.org, or go to nccourts.gov for other eCourts information . To improve the performance, security, and reliability of hosted client systems, Tyler Technologies has made an ...
Michael McIntyre | New Hanover County, NC
Official Free
Unsolved Homicides · Michael McIntyre · Michael McIntyre : 2001-06762 · On June 28, 2001 a 911 call was received about an unconscious person located on the side of an access road leading to the businesses of Fortron Industries and Kosa Chemicals in the 4600 block N U.S.
New Hanover County | North Carolina Judicial Branch
Official Free
Find out more about paying court fees, fines and traffic citation in New Hanover County. View civil court calendars. View criminal court calendars. Find your local GAL program. Search Portal by name, citation number, county, and more. Search statewide judicial forms by keyword, form number, and more. Find online services for court records, File & Serve, Guide & File, make payments, request interpreter, and more.
GIS, Maps, & Data | New Hanover County, NC
Official Free
Welcome to New Hanover County's GIS site. Here you will find access to mapping applications, GIS services, and ready to use informational products . We endeavor to publish relevant, timely data and applications that are focused, easy to use, and flexible enough to work on both web and mobile ...
Tax Department | New Hanover County, NC
Official Free
The mission of New Hanover County Tax Administration is to list, map, assess property, bill and collect all ad valorem taxes in New Hanover County. Thereby ensuring all citizens are provided a fair and equitable ad valorem property tax process. Administering the laws governing the process with integrity and professionalism while instilling the highest degree of public confidence by providing prompt, accurate, and courteous service.
Births, Deaths & Marriage License Certified Copies | New Hanover County, NC
Official Free
The New Hanover County Register of Deeds office participates in the Statewide Birth Certificate Issuance Program , which enables residents to obtain a copy of a certified birth certificate for an individual born anywhere in North Carolina from 1971 to the present and not adopted.
NCDHHS: DPH: NC Vital Records: Contact Us
Official Free
General Contact Form: Contact us at NC Vital Records Inquiry. Please allow 7-10 business day response time for certificate order status inquiries. Please allow 3-5 business day response time for all other inquiry types. North Carolina Vital Records 1903 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
Voter Search - NCSBE
Official Free
Search for voter details, including jurisdictions, polling place, sample ballot when available, absentee ballot information, and voter history · If you've tried the hints above and cannot find your registration, please contact your county board of elections.
Permits & Inspections | New Hanover County, NC
Official Free
Access information on how to apply for a permit, whether or not it's needed, and the costs involved · This tool provides customers with better access to information so you can see exactly where permits are in the process, offers improved reporting capabilities, and allows for easy online fee ...
eRecording Counties – North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds
Official Free
eRecording Documents – Click here for a map showing the counties that are e-recording and the type of documents they are accepting in their county.
🌐 ncard.us
Codes
Official Free
Field notes are the narrative record of the cadastral survey . They are written in tabular format and contain the detailed descriptions of entire survey process including the instrumentation and procedures utilized, calling all physical evidence evaluated in the survey process, and listing all ...
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find official New Hanover County records online?
Start at the North Carolina Business Search portal: https://www.sosnc.gov/online_services/search/by_title/_Business_Registration. This is the official North Carolina government source for New Hanover County business and public records.
What's the difference between sealing and expunging a record in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, a sealed record is hidden from public view but still exists and remains visible to law enforcement, licensing boards, and some employers. An expunged record is treated by North Carolina law as if it never happened — though FBI and federal records may persist regardless of state action. The relief process runs through the sentencing court.
Are North Carolina marriage records public?
Marriage records in North Carolina are generally public — anyone can verify that a marriage occurred and request a non-certified copy. Certified copies (needed for legal purposes like name changes or immigration) may be restricted to the spouses, immediate family, or those with a court order.
What is an ICE detainer (Form I-247)?
An ICE detainer (Form I-247) is a written request from ICE asking a local jail to hold someone for up to 48 additional hours after they would normally be released so ICE can take custody. Federal courts have held that detainers are requests, not orders — whether a jail honors a detainer depends on the local sheriff's policy.