Dare County Marriage Records

Dare County marriage records are held by the Register of Deeds in Manteo, North Carolina. The office stores marriage licenses, certificates, and related vital documents going back to 1870 when the county was formed. You can search these records in person or contact the office directly for help locating a specific entry. This guide covers how to find Dare County marriage records, what the Register of Deeds provides, and how to request copies for legal or personal use.

Dare County Register of Deeds

The Dare County Register of Deeds is the official keeper of marriage records in the county. The office is located at 962 Marshall C. Collins Drive in Manteo, NC 27954. You can reach the office by phone at (252) 475-5970 during regular business hours. Staff handle marriage licenses, certified copies of marriage records, and requests from the public, genealogists, and legal professionals. The Register maintains all vital records as required by North Carolina law.

Dare County was formed in 1870 from portions of Currituck, Hyde, and Tyrrell counties. It was named for Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America. Marriage records at the Register of Deeds go back to that founding year. The county covers the Outer Banks region, including the towns of Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, and Manteo on Roanoke Island. All marriages performed in Dare County are recorded at this one office.

Dare County Marriage License Requirements

To get married in Dare County, both parties must appear together at the Register of Deeds office to apply for a marriage license. Each applicant must present valid government-issued photo identification. North Carolina law under NCGS 51-8 requires both parties to apply in person unless a court order waives that requirement. The license is issued on the day of application in most cases and is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued.

Under NCGS 51-6, a marriage license must be obtained before the ceremony takes place. The license is valid anywhere in North Carolina, so a couple can get the license in Dare County and hold the ceremony in another county if they choose. After the ceremony, the officiant completes and signs the license and returns it to the Register of Deeds. The office then records it and can issue certified copies to the parties. Dare County is a popular location for outdoor ceremonies along the Outer Banks, and the office handles a high volume of license applications each year.

Both applicants need to provide their Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and information about any prior marriages. If either party was previously married, they must show how that marriage ended, such as a divorce decree or death certificate. The Register will verify this information before issuing the license under NCGS 51-16.

Dare County Marriage Records Copies and Requests

You can get certified copies of Dare County marriage records by visiting the Register of Deeds office in Manteo. Bring a valid photo ID and be prepared to provide the names of both parties and the date of the marriage. Under NCGS 130A-93, certified copies are available to qualified applicants. The office can search records by name and return results from the county's holdings going back to 1870.

Mail requests are another option. Send a written request to the Dare County Register of Deeds at 962 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo, NC 27954. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the marriage, your contact information, and payment by money order or bank check. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the office to return the copies to you. Do not send cash through the mail. The office will process mail requests in the order they are received.

Dare County also offers access to records through the county website at darenc.com/departments/register-of-deeds. Check the site for the most current information on online ordering options, fees, and required documents before submitting a request.

Historical Marriage Records in Dare County

Dare County has a unique history that makes its marriage records especially interesting to researchers. The county was carved out of three neighboring counties in 1870, and the Register of Deeds has maintained marriage records since that year. Early records cover the small coastal communities that dotted the Outer Banks before the area became a major tourist destination. Many families with deep roots in Dare County can trace their ancestry through these records.

For genealogists working on Dare County family trees, the Register of Deeds is the primary source for marriage records after 1870. For older records from the area before the county was formed, researchers should check the records of Currituck, Hyde, and Tyrrell counties, which previously covered the land that became Dare County. The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh also holds historical marriage bonds and registers from around the state, including materials relevant to the Outer Banks region. You can search the archives at archives.ncdcr.gov for records not held locally.

Some early marriage records for Dare County have been digitized and indexed as part of statewide genealogy projects. Researchers should check both the county office and online databases such as FamilySearch and Ancestry for indexed versions of older records. Original documents remain at the Register of Deeds office in Manteo.

Search Dare County Marriage Records Online

The Dare County Register of Deeds provides online access to some records through the county website. The online portal allows users to search by name and date for indexed records. Coverage varies by time period, with more recent records more likely to be fully digitized. For older records, a visit or written request to the office may be necessary.

North Carolina Vital Records in Raleigh holds statewide marriage records from 1962 onward. For marriages that took place in Dare County before 1962, the county Register of Deeds is the sole official source. The state office can be reached through vitalrecords.nc.gov for records within its range. For anything earlier, contact the Dare County office directly.

Third-party genealogy websites also index North Carolina marriage records. These can be helpful for initial searches, but always verify results against the official county records for legal purposes. Certified copies must come from the Register of Deeds or the state Vital Records office.

North Carolina Marriage Laws That Apply in Dare County

Several North Carolina statutes govern marriage records and licenses in Dare County. NCGS 51-6 sets out who may perform a marriage ceremony in the state and what documentation is required. NCGS 51-8 covers the application process and what information applicants must provide. NCGS 51-16 addresses requirements around prior marriages and documentation needed when a party was previously married. Together these statutes guide how the Dare County Register of Deeds handles each license application.

NCGS 130A-93 controls access to vital records, including certified copies of marriage records. Under this statute, the Register of Deeds may issue certified copies to the parties to the marriage, their legal representatives, and other qualified applicants. The office follows these rules for every records request it receives. If you have questions about whether you qualify to receive a certified copy of a Dare County marriage record, contact the office at (252) 475-5970 before making the trip to Manteo.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Dare County. If you are unsure which county holds the marriage records you need, confirm the location where the ceremony took place.