Register of Deeds, Deputy

New Hanover County; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k contributions

Retirement plan

Paid sick leave

Holidays

Parental leave

Community service leave

Education leave

Health insurance

Wellness center

Professional development

Job summary

New Hanover County seeks a customer-oriented Deputy Register of Deeds to work in the Real Estate and Vital Records departments. This role maintains the integrity of public records, ensuring accurate indexing and courteous service to the community.

The Deputy handles records including deeds, vital records, and DD214s, supports daily office operations, and must have a high school diploma with at least one year of clerical experience.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• Minimum of one year of clerical, data entry or related experience.
• Must be a sworn Deputy Register of Deeds within one year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Greets customers and directs them to appropriate areas for assistance.
• Records and indexes vital records, deeds of trust, and real estate documents.
• Maintains an index for county real estate transactions and public viewing access.
• Prepares and certifies birth/death certificates and marriage licenses as needed.
• Receives payments for copies, notary fees, and online requests.
• Assists with daily office activities and emergency/disaster duties.
• Swears in and certifies Notary Publics for the State of North Carolina.

Skills

Customer service

Clerical / data entry

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

New Hanover County is seeking a customer-oriented Deputy Register of Deeds to work in the Real Estate and Vital Records departments. This role is pivotal in maintaining the integrity and accuracy of public records, ensuring efficient courteous service to the community. The ideal candidate will possess excellent organizational and communication skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to providing exceptional customer service. Responsibilities include recording, indexing and issuance of vital records, property documents, and other official documents, while adhering to state laws and regulations. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the county’s public service efforts and support the needs of its residents.

The Register of Deeds is an elected official who serves as the custodian and manager for real estate related documents, as well as vital records and DD214s for New Hanover County. Department employees embrace the model of good governance by emphasizing superior customer service while serving the citizens in two locations.

Why New Hanover County?

A Career with Impact

New Hanover County is committed to hiring talented professionals who are passionate about public service and making a difference in the community. Our employees work in an innovative, collaborative, and employee-focused environment where professional expertise and new ideas are valued.

Our shared values of professionalism, innovation, integrity, stewardship, and accountability guide the way we serve our community and work with our customers.

New Hanover County is dedicated to the recruitment and recognition of a talented and diverse workforce that is committed to public service. Our shared values of professionalism, innovation, equity, integrity, stewardship and accountability guide the way we conduct ourselves and deliver services to our customers. New Hanover County celebrates diversity in our employees’ backgrounds, beliefs, identities, and abilities, while supporting growth opportunities for all. Our talented team has a passion for providing care and services that effect change on the everyday lives of the citizens they encounter. The differences that unite us are a reflection of the community we serve. If this sounds like an organization that models the values you uphold, we invite you to join our team at New Hanover County.

Living in New Hanover County, NC:

New Hanover County offers an exceptional quality of life with its picturesque coastal location. Enjoy the stunning beaches, water activities, and a variety of recreational opportunities right at your doorstep. Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture, indulge in diverse dining experiences, and explore historical landmarks. The county is known for its strong sense of community, excellent schools, and a thriving arts scene. With a focus on good governance and a commitment to customer service, New Hanover County provides an ideal environment for both personal and professional growth.

Hours

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Must be available to work during emergency situations.

Salary Information

The target hiring range for this position is $36,421 - $48,266.50. The full salary range for an incumbent hired into this position is $36,421 to $60,112. Starting salary will be based on qualifications, relevant experience, internal equity, and budget. Candidates with exceptional qualifications and experience may be considered for a starting salary above the target hiring range, but not to exceed the maximum of the salary range.

New Hanover County offers:

• Employer paid 401k contributions.
• Retirement planthrough the NC Retirement system.
• Paid sick and personal leave + 13 paid holidays per year.
• Paid parental leave.
• Paid community services leave to give back to our community.
• Education leave to obtain a degree within your line of work;
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options.
• Onsite, employer-paid health and wellness center.
• Professional development training & leadership initiatives.
• Opportunities to make a difference in your community.
• And so much more!

Please check out our careers page at www.nhcgov.com/careers for more information on why New Hanover County is a great place to work.

The Register of Deeds Deputy maintains accurate public records such as: maps, deeds of trusts, tax documents, real estate transactions, DD214’s and Vital Records.

Essential Duties

• Greets customers as they walk in and directs them to appropriate areas for assistance.
• Processes legal documents including birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, deeds of trust, mortgages, maps etc.
• Maintains an index for all County real estate transactions, including an index available for public viewing.
• Indexes new birth and death certificates.
• Amends birth certificates, death certificates and marriage licenses when customers require corrections to their records.
• Records DD214 military discharge papers for veterans.
• Verifies the County’s vital records are correctly entered in the database to ensure indexing is accurate and easily accessible.
• Assists with daily office activities by processing the daily mail, opening and closing the office, and answering telephone inquiries.
• Receives payments for copies, notary fees, online requests, etc.
• Assists other State and local offices with documents as needed.
• Swears in and certifies Notary Publics for the State of North Carolina.
• Performs work with regular and predictable attendance and consistently meets the scheduling needs as required by the county.
• Performs work during emergency/disaster situations.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level.

Position Specific Duties

Some positions may serve as passport agents.

Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities

Knowledge of basic office procedures; County and state statutes governing the indexing and certification of legal documents and materials; county registration standards and statutes; microfilm preparation and maintenance; department filing system; various legal documents; research methods; security procedures; basic math; basic bookkeeping principles.

Skilled in operating computers and applicable software and various office equipment; researching and compiling information; Interpreting and applying regulations; Indexing materials; preparing records and reports; providing customer service; communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

High School Diploma or equivalent, and a minimum of one (1) year of clerical, data entry, administrative support, customer service or related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Must be a sworn Deputy Register of Deeds by the Clerk of Court within one (1) year of employment.

In compliance with G.S. 153A-94.2(b), if this position requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the county must require the applicant to undergo a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI for all offers of employment made after October 1, 2025. These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S. 143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties. Additional information on how to complete this required check will be provided to the selected candidate after an offer of employment is accepted.