Craven County Marriage Records in New Bern

Craven County marriage records are kept at the Register of Deeds in New Bern, North Carolina. Craven County was formed in 1705 and named for William Lord Craven, one of the Lords Proprietors of the Carolina colony. Marriage records date from 1723, and land records in the county reach back to 1700. Two courthouse fires, in 1712 and 1862, destroyed some of the earliest documents. Records that survived and all post-fire filings are held at the Register of Deeds in New Bern.

Craven County Register of Deeds

The Register of Deeds is located at 226 Pollock Street in New Bern. The phone number is (252) 636-6619. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Staff maintain the official index of Craven County marriage records and can search by name and year to locate records on file.

New Bern is one of the oldest and most historically significant towns in North Carolina. Founded by Swiss and German settlers in 1710, it served as the colonial capital of North Carolina for decades. This deep history means the area has attracted substantial genealogical interest, and the Register of Deeds office in New Bern regularly assists researchers working on colonial-era and early American family history. The office handles both in-person and mail requests for Craven County marriage records.

Courthouse Fires and Craven County Marriage Records

Craven County experienced two courthouse fires over the course of its long history. The first fire occurred in 1712, just seven years after the county was organized. At that time, the county's records were still sparse, but the fire still caused a significant loss of early documentation. The second and more destructive fire came in 1862, during the Civil War. Union forces occupied New Bern in March 1862, and the fire that accompanied this period of conflict destroyed a large portion of the county's 19th-century records.

Despite these losses, Craven County still has marriage records beginning in 1723. This means that some records from before the 1712 fire and a substantial number from between the two fires have survived. The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds transcripts and microfilm of early Craven County vital records and can fill in some of the gaps caused by the two courthouse fires.

Records after 1862 are complete and available at the Register of Deeds in New Bern. Researchers working on marriages in Craven County between 1723 and 1862 should check both the local office and the State Archives to get the most complete picture of what is available. The Archives' online catalog lists its Craven County holdings and can help researchers plan their inquiries before visiting or writing in.

Getting Craven County Marriage Record Copies

Visit the Register of Deeds at 226 Pollock Street in New Bern during office hours. Bring both parties' full names and the approximate year of the marriage. Staff will search the index and pull the record. Payment is collected when you receive the copy.

Mail requests are accepted. Write to the Register of Deeds at the New Bern address, including both parties' names, the marriage year, your return address, and a check or money order for the fee. Call (252) 636-6619 to confirm the current fee before mailing payment. The office mails copies once the request is processed.

For Craven County marriages from 1962 onward, the NC Vital Records office in Raleigh holds copies in addition to the local office. For all other years, especially pre-1862 records, use the local office and the State Archives together. The Archives can be reached at 109 East Jones Street in Raleigh or by phone at (919) 814-6840.

Marriage Licenses in Craven County

Both people must appear together at the Register of Deeds in New Bern to apply for a license. Craven County residency is not required. Under NCGS 51-6, a license from any North Carolina county is valid for a ceremony anywhere in the state.

Both applicants must present valid photo ID. Under NCGS 51-8, both must be at least 18 without a court order. The license is valid for 60 days. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed certificate to the Register of Deeds within the time required by NCGS 130A-93. The filed certificate becomes the official Craven County marriage record.

New Bern and Craven County Genealogy

New Bern's colonial history makes Craven County one of the most significant genealogical destinations in North Carolina. The town was founded by Swiss settlers from Bern and German settlers from the Palatinate region in 1710. This Swiss and German heritage is reflected in many family names found in early Craven County records. Swiss, German, English, and later Scots-Irish families intermarried and built the community that grew around New Bern.

Tryon Palace, the colonial governor's residence, was built in New Bern in the 1760s and remains a major historic site today. The palace complex and its associated educational programs offer resources for researchers interested in colonial North Carolina history. The New Bern area also has an active genealogical society and a well-developed local history library that hold significant supplemental materials for Craven County research.

Early Craven County marriage bonds often name the bride's father or another male relative as the surety. This naming pattern provides valuable clues for tracing female lines, which are often harder to document in older records. Cross-referencing marriage bonds with land records, which go back to 1700 in Craven County, can help establish family connections and property relationships that illuminate the social structure of colonial New Bern.

Nearby Counties

Craven County borders several eastern North Carolina counties. Each has its own Register of Deeds and marriage records collection.