Cabarrus County Marriage Records

Cabarrus County marriage records are kept by the Register of Deeds in Concord, North Carolina. The office holds original licenses, certificates, and bonds that span from the county's formation in 1792 to the present day. Whether you need a certified copy for legal purposes or want to trace a family line, the Register of Deeds is the starting point. Early marriage bonds from 1792 to 1855 are also held at the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh.

Cabarrus County Register of Deeds

The Register of Deeds is the official keeper of marriage records in Cabarrus County. Wayne Nixon serves as the current Register. The office maintains original marriage licenses and certificates from 1856 to the present. Staff can search records by name and issue copies during regular business hours.

Marriage licenses in Cabarrus County may only be issued between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM on weekdays. This is one hour earlier than the office closing time, so plan your visit accordingly. The office accepts cash, personal check, Visa, and MasterCard for all transactions. Online records are also available through the county's official records portal at cabarruscounty.us.

History of Cabarrus County Marriage Records

Cabarrus County was formed from Mecklenburg County in 1792. Marriage records in Cabarrus County date from that same year. The county has a rich documentary history with no major courthouse disasters, meaning the records are largely intact from the very beginning.

Early marriage bonds from 1792 through 1855 are not held at the local office. Those original bonds are preserved at the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh. A marriage bond was a financial guarantee that no legal barrier existed to the marriage. The bondsman, often a relative of the bride, pledged a sum of money to back the license. These bonds are a valuable genealogical source because they often name the bride's father or brother as the surety.

Original records from 1856 to the present are held at the Register of Deeds office in Concord. The format of these records changed over time. Older entries are handwritten ledger entries. More recent filings use printed certificates with typed or handwritten details. Under NCGS 130A-93, the Register of Deeds must file and index each marriage certificate received from the officiant.

Getting Cabarrus County Marriage Record Copies

You can request copies in person, by mail, or online. In-person requests are the fastest option. Visit the Register of Deeds office at 65 Church Street S in Concord during business hours. Bring the names of both parties and an approximate year of the marriage. Staff will search the index and pull the record for you.

A certified copy costs $10 in Cabarrus County. An uncertified copy costs $1. Certified copies carry the Register's official seal and are accepted by courts, the Social Security Administration, and other government agencies. Uncertified copies work well for personal research but may not be accepted for official purposes.

Online searches are available through the Cabarrus County records portal at cabarruscounty.us. The portal lets you view index information and some scanned images. To get a certified copy, you must follow up with the office directly. Mail requests should include the names of both parties, the year of marriage, your contact details, and a check or money order made payable to the Cabarrus County Register of Deeds.

For early records before 1856, contact the North Carolina State Archives at 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. The Archives holds the original Cabarrus County marriage bond collection and can assist with research requests by mail or in person.

Marriage Licenses in Cabarrus County

Both people who plan to marry must appear together at the Register of Deeds office to apply for a license. Neither party needs to be a resident of Cabarrus County. Under NCGS 51-6, any Register of Deeds in North Carolina may issue a license, and the couple may marry anywhere in the state once the license is issued.

Each person must present a valid government-issued photo ID. Under NCGS 51-8, both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry without a court order. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. If the wedding does not take place within that window, the couple must apply for a new license. Remember that licenses are only issued between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM at the Cabarrus County office.

After the ceremony, the officiant completes the certificate portion of the license and returns it to the Register of Deeds. The office then records the document and issues certified copies upon request. This returned certificate becomes the permanent Cabarrus County marriage record.

Online Cabarrus Marriage Record Search

The Cabarrus County Register of Deeds offers online access to marriage record indexes and images through its records portal at Cabarruscountyrod.org. This tool is useful for finding records without visiting the office in person. Search by the last name of either party to locate entries in the index.

Online records cover a range of years but may not include the most recent filings or the oldest handwritten ledgers. For confirmed information about what years are searchable online, call the Cabarrus County Register of Deeds office directly. Older bonds from 1792 to 1855 are not available through the county portal and must be accessed through the State Archives or its online finding aids.

North Carolina Vital Records and Cabarrus County

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services maintains a statewide vital records database separate from the county office. The state holds marriage records from 1962 onward. For marriages in Cabarrus County before 1962, the Register of Deeds office is the primary source.

You can order a certified copy from the NC Vital Records office online, by mail, or in person at 225 North McDowell Street in Raleigh. The state charges its own fee schedule that differs from the county's $10 rate. Either source produces a legally valid certified copy. Many people prefer the county office for speed and convenience when the marriage occurred in Cabarrus County.

Under NCGS 130A-93, officiants who perform marriages in North Carolina are required to return the completed certificate to the county Register of Deeds within ten days of the ceremony. This ensures that the Cabarrus County record is created promptly after each wedding.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cabarrus County. Each has its own Register of Deeds office with separate marriage record collections.