Search North Carolina Marriage Records
North Carolina marriage records are kept by the Register of Deeds in each of the state's 100 counties and by the NC Vital Records office in Raleigh. County offices hold marriage licenses and certificates going back decades, with some records dating to the 1700s. The state office has marriage certificates from 1962 to the present. You can search for North Carolina marriage records online, request copies by mail, or visit a county office in person. This page covers where to find marriage records in North Carolina, how to get certified copies, and how to access these vital records across all 100 counties.
North Carolina Marriage Records Quick Facts
Where to Find North Carolina Marriage Records
Two main sources hold marriage records in North Carolina. The Register of Deeds in each county keeps the original marriage licenses and can issue certified copies. Many county offices have records that go back well over a century. For instance, Beaufort County holds marriage records from 1723, and Perquimans County has records from 1659. These county offices are the best first stop when you need a North Carolina marriage certificate, especially for older records.
The North Carolina Vital Records office, part of the Division of Public Health, maintains copies of marriage certificates from 1962 to the present. This state office is in Raleigh at 225 N. McDowell Street. Call center hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 919-733-3000. Due to high demand tied to REAL ID needs, state office orders may take 110 to 115 business days. For faster service, contact the county Register of Deeds where the marriage took place.
For marriage records before 1962, the county Register of Deeds is your only option through official channels. The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh also holds historical marriage bonds from 1741 to 1868 for most counties. These bonds list the groom, bride, date, bondsman, witness, and county. A microfiche index covers all existing bonds except for Granville County, which has its own separate index.
Note: NC Vital Records does not issue marriage licenses and cannot make changes to marriage certificates. Contact the county Register of Deeds for those services.
North Carolina Marriage Records History
Marriage records in North Carolina have a long history. Before 1868, couples were not required to obtain a marriage license. Instead, they could be married by their church through marriage banns, a practice common from the 1600s through the early 1800s. Banns were notices posted on church doors announcing a couple's intent to marry. If no one objected, the marriage went ahead.
The first law on marriages in North Carolina was passed in April 1741. From 1741 to 1861, couples who went to the county to be married received a marriage bond. After 1868, the marriage license became the only official record of marriage in North Carolina. The State Library of North Carolina has a detailed guide on locating these early marriage records. Statewide registration of marriages did not begin until 1962, which is why the state Vital Records office only has certificates from that year forward.
North Carolina did not legally recognize marriages between enslaved people. After abolition, the General Assembly created cohabitation bonds to register the unions of recently freed individuals. These records, mostly from 1866, reference couples living as husband and wife dating back to 1820 or earlier. The North Carolina Cohabitation Bond Collection is available in the North Carolina Digital Collections and can be a key resource for genealogy research.
How to Search Marriage Records in North Carolina
Searching for marriage records in North Carolina depends on the age of the record and where the marriage took place. Start with the county. Each of the 100 county Register of Deeds offices can search their local records. Many now offer online search tools or accept requests through platforms like Permitium. You can also visit in person or send a request by mail.
For records from 1962 to the present, you can also order through the state NC Vital Records ordering page. You will need the names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, and the county where the license was issued. The standard search fee is $24 for a three-year period, which includes one copy if a record is found. This fee is not refundable even if no record turns up. Additional copies cost $15 each. VitalChek is the only authorized vendor for remote orders and charges a $13.95 processing fee on top of the state fees.
To search North Carolina marriage records, you typically need:
- Full names of both spouses
- Date of the marriage or a date range
- County where the license was issued
- Your relationship to the person named on the record
For genealogy research, the state Vital Records office should not be your first choice. They charge the $24 fee for each three-year search period and need specific details before they can begin. Instead, check with the Register of Deeds in the county where the event took place, or visit the North Carolina State Archives. The Genealogy Section of the State Library can also help locate older North Carolina marriage records.
Getting Copies of Marriage Records in North Carolina
Certified copies of North Carolina marriage certificates cost $10.00 at the county level. Most Register of Deeds offices accept cash, with some also taking checks, money orders, or credit cards. Uncertified copies are typically $1.00 or less. At the county, certified copies are usually ready the same day for in-person requests.
Under NCGS 130A-93, certified copies of North Carolina vital records can only be issued to the person named on the record, a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, child, grandchild, stepparent, stepchild, or a person with a legal interest. Authorized agents, attorneys, and legal representatives may also obtain certified copies with proper documentation. Uncertified copies are generally available to anyone for inspection.
At the state level, fees are higher. The $24 search fee covers a three-year period and includes one copy if found. Extra copies cost $15 each. Payment by mail must be by money order, certified check, or business check made payable to NC Vital Records. Cash and personal checks are not accepted by mail. In-person service at the Raleigh office requires an appointment and carries a $15 expedited processing fee.
Note: If you recently married, wait at least 10 days after the ceremony before requesting a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the county.
Marriage Licenses in North Carolina
North Carolina requires a marriage license before any ceremony. The NC Judicial Branch oversees the legal framework, but all 100 county Registers of Deeds issue the actual licenses. Both parties must appear in person. The fee is $60.00 statewide. The license is valid for 60 days and can be used in any county in North Carolina. There is no waiting period and no blood test required.
Both applicants need a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. A Social Security number is required. If an applicant has never been issued one, a sworn affidavit may be submitted instead. If either party has been divorced within the past 30 days, a filed copy of the final divorce papers must be shown. If a previous marriage ended by death within 30 days, a certified death certificate is needed.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the Register of Deeds where it was issued within 10 days. Under NCGS 51-6, ordained ministers, magistrates, and certain other officials can perform marriages in North Carolina. The North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds provides a directory to help you find the right county office.
North Carolina Marriage Record Laws
Chapter 51 of the North Carolina General Statutes governs marriage in the state. NCGS 51-8 covers the license application process. NCGS 51-16 addresses the recording of marriages. These laws set the rules that every county Register of Deeds must follow when issuing licenses and maintaining North Carolina marriage records.
Access to vital records is governed by NCGS 130A-93, which limits certified copies to specific individuals with a direct connection to the record. Fraudulent requests for certified copies are a felony under NCGS 130A-26A. Uncertified copies remain available for public inspection at most county offices, making North Carolina marriage records accessible for general research purposes while protecting sensitive personal data on certified documents.
North Carolina Marriage Records Contact Information
The NC Vital Records office can be reached at 919-733-3000 for general questions. For regular certificate inquiries, call 984-236-7268. Amendment questions go to 984-236-7203. The office is at Cooper Memorial Health Building, 225 N. McDowell St., Raleigh, NC 27603. Mailing address for orders is 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900. In-person service is by appointment only, available 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with the last appointment at 2:30 p.m.
For county-level help, the NC Association of Registers of Deeds has a directory of all 100 county offices. Each county has its own phone number, hours, and process for marriage record requests. Some counties accept walk-ins for marriage licenses while others require appointments. Call ahead to confirm before visiting any North Carolina county office.
The NC Vital Records research page provides guidance for locating older records. For genealogical research, check with the county first, then the State Archives, then the State Library. The online contact form at NC Vital Records has a 7 to 10 business day response time for certificate order status and 3 to 5 business days for other inquiries.
Researching Historical Marriage Records
North Carolina has rich resources for historical marriage record research. The State Archives holds marriage bonds from 1741 to 1868 for most counties. Marriage licenses from 1868 to 1962 are on microfilm for many counties. FamilySearch has digitized county marriage records for most North Carolina counties through the 1950s. For example, Guilford County alone has six reels of marriage abstracts from 1770 to 1868 and 65 reels of licenses from 1873 to 1961.
The NCARD supports standardized indexing and recording practices across all 100 counties. This helps ensure that North Carolina marriage records are stored and found in a consistent way, whether the record is from a small mountain county or a large urban one. Many counties now offer electronic recording and online search tools, making it easier than ever to find marriage records across North Carolina.
Browse North Carolina Marriage Records by County
Each county in North Carolina has its own Register of Deeds that keeps marriage records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for marriage records in that area.
Marriage Records in Major North Carolina Cities
Residents of major cities get marriage licenses at their county Register of Deeds. Pick a city below to learn about marriage records in that area.