Brunswick County Marriage Records in Bolivia NC

Brunswick County marriage records are held by the Register of Deeds in Bolivia, North Carolina. The county has kept marriage records since its formation in 1764. The courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1865 during the Civil War, which created gaps in certain early records. You can request Brunswick County marriage records in person at the courthouse, by phone, or by mail. This page covers how to find and obtain marriage records, what the office holds, and what to expect when searching records from this southeastern coastal county.

Brunswick County Register of Deeds

The Brunswick County Register of Deeds is at 75 Courthouse Drive in Bolivia, NC 28422. The office phone is (910) 253-2690. Staff handle all vital records for Brunswick County, including marriage licenses, certificates, and historical records from 1764. Business hours are Monday through Friday. Confirm current hours by calling the office before you visit.

Brunswick County was formed in 1764 from New Hanover and Bladen counties. The county takes its name from the House of Brunswick, the German noble family that ruled Great Britain at the time. The county seat of Bolivia is where all marriage licenses are issued and recorded. The county has grown significantly in recent decades and is now one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina. Current office information is at brunswickcountync.gov.

The 1865 Fire and Brunswick County Marriage Records

The Brunswick County courthouse burned in 1865, near the end of the Civil War. This fire destroyed many of the county's historical records. If you are searching for Brunswick County marriage records from before 1865 and cannot find them at the Register of Deeds, the fire is likely the reason. Some records created before the fire were lost completely, while others survived in alternate forms.

For research into pre-1865 Brunswick County marriages, the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh is a key resource. The archives hold marriage bonds and other early documents from Brunswick County that may not be available at the local office. These can include marriage bonds, which named the groom, the bondsman, and sometimes other family details useful for genealogy research. Visit archives.ncdcr.gov to learn what is available from Brunswick County's pre-Civil War period.

Records from after 1865 are more complete and are held at the Register of Deeds in Bolivia. The office can tell you which years have the most complete records and what to expect for a specific time period in your search.

Applying for a Marriage License in Brunswick County

Both parties must appear in person at the Register of Deeds office in Bolivia to apply for a marriage license. Bring valid government-issued photo ID. North Carolina law requires the license before the ceremony. The license is valid for 60 days and may be used anywhere in the state.

After the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed license to the Register of Deeds. The office records it and that document becomes the permanent marriage record in Brunswick County. Call (910) 253-2690 before your visit to confirm the current fee and any specific documents you need to provide. Office staff can answer questions about the process and what forms of payment are accepted.

Brunswick County has many communities along the coast, including Southport, Leland, Shallotte, and Oak Island. All marriage licenses for residents of these communities are issued and recorded at the single Register of Deeds office in Bolivia, the county seat.

Brunswick County Marriage Records Copies

Certified copies of Brunswick County marriage records are available at the Register of Deeds in Bolivia. Bring your photo ID and payment when you visit. Staff can locate and provide a certified copy during your visit in most cases. Certified copies carry the office seal and are accepted for legal purposes such as name changes and estate matters.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send your written request to Brunswick County Register of Deeds, 75 Courthouse Drive, Bolivia, NC 28422. Include the full names of both parties, the date of the marriage, your mailing address, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope so the office can return your copy by mail.

Brunswick County Marriage Record History

Brunswick County's coastal location and proximity to Wilmington made it a significant part of North Carolina's colonial-era commerce and settlement. Families in this region have roots going back to the 1700s, and the county's marriage records reflect that long history. Despite the 1865 courthouse fire, records that survive from the late 18th and early 19th centuries are valuable sources for anyone tracing southeastern North Carolina families.

The county was formed from both New Hanover and Bladen counties. For marriages before 1764 in what is now Brunswick County, you would need to check records in those parent counties. New Hanover County records are in Wilmington, and Bladen County records are in Elizabethtown. Working across multiple county archives is common for genealogical research in this part of North Carolina, where county boundaries changed frequently in the colonial period.

State-level marriage records for Brunswick County from 1962 forward are also available at the NC Vital Records office in Raleigh. State verification letters and certified copies are available for marriages from that period onward.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Brunswick County. Marriage records are held in the county where the license was issued.