Beaufort County Marriage Records Washington NC

Beaufort County marriage records date back to 1723, making them among the oldest vital records collections in North Carolina. The Register of Deeds in Washington is the official office for marriage licenses and certificates in Beaufort County. You can request records in person at the courthouse, by phone, or by mail. This page covers how to search Beaufort County marriage records, what the office holds, and what you should know about historical gaps caused by the courthouse fire of 1862. Understanding this history will help you plan an effective search for Beaufort County marriage records.

Beaufort County Register of Deeds

The Beaufort County Register of Deeds is at 121 W. 3rd Street in Washington, NC 27889. The office phone number is (252) 946-2323. Staff handle all vital records for Beaufort County, including marriage licenses, certificates, and historical records. Business hours are Monday through Friday. Contact the office before visiting to confirm current hours and what you need to bring for your specific type of request.

Beaufort County was formed in 1705. It was named for Henry Somerset, the Duke of Beaufort. The county seat of Washington was the first American city named after George Washington. Marriage records in Beaufort County date from 1723, giving the archive extraordinary depth for genealogical and historical research. Learn more about the office and its services at beaufortcountync.gov.

The 1862 Courthouse Fire and Beaufort County Records

In 1862, during the Civil War, the Beaufort County courthouse burned. This fire destroyed many records held there, creating gaps in the county's historical archive. If you are searching for Beaufort County marriage records from before 1862 and cannot find them at the Register of Deeds, the fire is likely the cause.

Despite the fire, some early records survived in other locations. The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds materials related to Beaufort County from before 1862. These include old marriage bonds, court records, and other documents that were not in the courthouse at the time of the fire or were reconstructed afterward. Researchers should check both the county office in Washington and the NC State Archives when looking for pre-Civil War marriage records from Beaufort County.

Records created after 1862 are more complete and are held at the Register of Deeds in Washington. The office can help you navigate the archive and identify what exists for a specific time period.

Beaufort County Marriage License Requirements

Both parties to a marriage must appear at the Register of Deeds in Washington to apply for a marriage license in Beaufort County. Bring valid government-issued photo ID. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued and may be used anywhere in North Carolina, not just in Beaufort County.

After the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed license to the Register of Deeds. The office records it and adds it to the permanent marriage record for Beaufort County. Call (252) 946-2323 before your visit to confirm the current fee and what identification documents you should bring.

Beaufort County Marriage Records Copies

You can get certified copies of Beaufort County marriage records at the Register of Deeds office in Washington. Bring your ID and payment. In most cases, staff can provide a copy the same day. Certified copies carry the office's official seal and are accepted for legal purposes.

For mail requests, send a written request to Beaufort County Register of Deeds, 121 W. 3rd Street, Washington, NC 27889. Include the full names of both parties, the date of marriage, your mailing address, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for faster return. Allow extra time for mail requests to be processed.

State marriage records from 1962 onward are also available through NC Vital Records in Raleigh. The state office issues verification letters and certified copies of marriage certificates for marriages that took place anywhere in North Carolina, including Beaufort County.

Genealogy Research with Beaufort County Marriage Records

Beaufort County is one of the oldest counties in North Carolina, and its marriage records from 1723 reflect centuries of family history in the inner coastal plain region. Researchers tracing families in the Washington, Bath, and Belhaven areas will find the Register of Deeds archive an essential starting point. The county's early date of formation and long recorded history make it a rich source for eastern North Carolina genealogy.

The town of Bath, within Beaufort County, was the first incorporated town in North Carolina. This history brings researchers from across the country who are tracing colonial-era families. While the 1862 fire created gaps, the surviving records from before and after that event still span several centuries of documented marriages in this coastal North Carolina county.

For research that extends beyond county records, the North Carolina State Library in Raleigh and the Outer Banks History Center in Manteo also hold materials relevant to eastern Carolina families. Marriage information sometimes appears in church records, wills, and estate files that are held at these institutions and at the NC State Archives.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Beaufort County. Records are held where the marriage license was issued.