Durham County Marriage Records

Durham County marriage records are maintained by the Register of Deeds in downtown Durham, North Carolina. Sharon A. Davis serves as Register of Deeds. The office handles marriage license applications, certified copies of marriage records, and online records requests. Because appointments are required for in-person visits, it is important to plan ahead before coming to the office. This guide covers what Durham County marriage records are available, how to request them, and what to expect when you visit or submit a request.

Durham County Register of Deeds

Sharon A. Davis is the Durham County Register of Deeds. The office is at 201 East Main Street, Administration Building II, Durham, NC 27701. The main phone number is (919) 560-0480. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Note that marriage licenses are not issued after 3:30 PM, and certified copies of vital records cannot be obtained after 4:45 PM. Plan your visit accordingly to avoid missing these daily cutoffs.

Appointments are required for all in-person visits to the Durham County Register of Deeds. Walk-in visits are not accepted. Before coming to the office, you must complete an Online Marriage Application through the county website. This requirement applies to anyone applying for a new marriage license. The office website at dconc.gov has the application link and current instructions for booking an appointment. Completing the application before your visit saves time at the office and ensures the staff can prepare for your arrival.

Durham County Marriage License Information

Getting a marriage license in Durham County requires an appointment and a completed Online Marriage Application before you arrive. Both parties must appear in person at the Register of Deeds office under NCGS 51-8. Each person must present a valid government-issued photo ID. The license fee is $60 and is accepted in cash only. No checks, debit cards, or credit cards are accepted for the license fee, so come prepared with the correct amount in cash.

Under NCGS 51-16, if either applicant was previously married, documentation showing how that marriage ended is required. A certified divorce decree or a death certificate for a deceased former spouse are both acceptable. The Register will review these documents as part of the application. Once the license is issued, it is valid anywhere in North Carolina for 60 days from the date of issue under NCGS 51-6. The ceremony must take place within that window or a new license must be obtained.

After the ceremony, the officiant completes the license and returns it to the Durham County Register of Deeds. The office records it and can then issue certified copies. Because no certified copies are available after 4:45 PM, plan your post-ceremony visit for earlier in the day.

Durham County Marriage Records Copies

Certified copies of Durham County marriage records cost $10 each. The office accepts cash, money orders, debit cards, and credit cards for copy fees. Only cash is accepted for the marriage license itself, but copy requests allow more payment options. You can request certified copies in person during office hours at 201 East Main Street, by mail, or through the online request portal. Remember that the office requires an appointment for in-person visits, so call or book online before going.

Online requests for certified copies of Durham County marriage records are available through the county website at dconc.gov/Register-of-Deeds/Vital-Records/Marriage. This option lets you submit your request and pay without visiting the office. Copies are then mailed to the address you provide. This is a convenient choice for anyone who cannot come in person or who prefers to avoid scheduling an appointment.

NCGS 130A-93 governs who may receive certified copies of vital records in North Carolina. The parties to the marriage, their legal representatives, and other qualified individuals may obtain certified copies from the Durham County Register of Deeds. If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact the office at (919) 560-0480 before submitting a request.

Durham County Property Fraud Alert Service

The Durham County Register of Deeds offers a Fraud Guard registration service that alerts property owners when documents affecting their property are recorded with the office. While this service is primarily aimed at protecting real property records, it is part of the broader commitment the Register of Deeds has to safeguarding the integrity of all records in the office, including marriage records. Property owners in Durham County can sign up for Fraud Guard through the county website at no cost.

This kind of fraud protection is increasingly important as identity theft has become more common. The Durham County Register of Deeds takes the security of its records seriously, and services like Fraud Guard reflect that commitment. For more information about protecting your records in Durham County, visit dconc.gov.

Durham County Court Marriage Records

Marriages performed by a magistrate in Durham County are also recorded with the Register of Deeds. The Durham County courts website provides additional information about civil marriage ceremonies performed at the courthouse. Magistrates can perform marriage ceremonies during scheduled sessions. For more information about court-performed marriages in Durham County, visit durhamcountycourts.org.

Court records of civil marriages are part of the public record in Durham County. If you need information about a marriage performed at the courthouse rather than in a private ceremony, contact either the Register of Deeds or the Durham County courts to find out which office holds the specific record you need.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Durham County. Check the location of the ceremony if you are unsure which county holds the marriage records you need.