Forsyth County Marriage Records

Forsyth County marriage records are kept by the Register of Deeds in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The office handles marriage license applications, certified copies, and online records requests. Magistrates in Forsyth County perform marriage ceremonies on Thursdays and Fridays by appointment. An online marriage license application is available through the office website for couples who want to start the process before their visit. This guide covers how to find and request Forsyth County marriage records and what the office provides.

Forsyth County Register of Deeds

The Forsyth County Register of Deeds serves Winston-Salem and all of Forsyth County. The office website is at forsyth.cc/rod and provides information about marriage licenses, vital records, certified copies, and online tools. Staff can search marriage records, issue certified copies, and take online requests from individuals and legal professionals. The Register of Deeds is the official source for all marriage records in Forsyth County.

Winston-Salem, the county seat, is one of the largest cities in North Carolina and the Forsyth County Register of Deeds handles a high volume of marriage license applications each year. The office offers an online marriage license application for couples who want to prepare before visiting in person. Starting the application online can make the in-person visit faster and more efficient. Both parties must still appear at the office to complete the process under NCGS 51-8.

Forsyth County Magistrate Marriage Ceremonies

Forsyth County magistrates perform marriage ceremonies on Thursdays and Fridays by appointment. This is a civil ceremony option for couples who want a courthouse wedding in Winston-Salem without arranging a private officiant. To book a magistrate ceremony in Forsyth County, contact the magistrate's office to check availability and schedule an appointment. You must have your valid marriage license in hand before the ceremony can take place.

Under NCGS 51-6, the marriage license must be obtained before the ceremony. Get your license from the Register of Deeds office first, then schedule the magistrate ceremony on an available Thursday or Friday. The license is valid for 60 days, so there is flexibility in timing as long as the ceremony takes place within that window. After the ceremony, the magistrate completes the license and it is returned to the Register of Deeds for recording.

For couples who want to be married by a religious official or a private officiant, the same rules apply. Obtain the license from the Forsyth County Register of Deeds, hold the ceremony within 60 days, and have the officiant return the completed license to the office. The Register of Deeds records the document and can then issue certified copies.

Forsyth County Marriage License Information

Couples applying for a Forsyth County marriage license should complete the online marriage license application before visiting the Register of Deeds in Winston-Salem. The online form gathers basic information about both applicants and speeds up the in-person process. Both parties must still appear together at the office under NCGS 51-8. Bring valid government-issued photo ID for each applicant along with Social Security numbers and dates of birth.

Under NCGS 51-16, prior marriages must be documented at the time of application. A certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for a deceased former spouse shows that the previous marriage ended legally. The Register will review these before issuing the license. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days anywhere in North Carolina under NCGS 51-6. Copies of marriage records in Forsyth County are issued per the restrictions of NCGS 130A-93, which limits certified copies to the parties involved and their qualified representatives.

Getting Forsyth County Marriage Records Copies

Certified copies of Forsyth County marriage records are available from the Register of Deeds office in Winston-Salem. You can request copies in person during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties and the approximate year of the marriage. Staff will search the records and provide copies during your visit.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send your written request to the Forsyth County Register of Deeds in Winston-Salem with the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the marriage, your contact information, and a money order or bank check for the applicable fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. For the most current fee schedule and instructions, visit the office website at forsyth.cc/rod before sending your request. Online ordering options may also be available through the site.

North Carolina Vital Records holds statewide marriage records from 1962 onward. For Forsyth County marriages before 1962, the county Register of Deeds in Winston-Salem is the official source. The state office at vitalrecords.nc.gov can help with more recent records within its range.

Historical Marriage Records in Forsyth County

Forsyth County was established in 1849, and marriage records at the Register of Deeds cover the years since the county was formed. Earlier records from the area trace back to Stokes County, from which Forsyth was created. The Moravian community that settled in the Winston-Salem area has its own extensive historical records, and researchers tracing family lines in this region may find valuable materials through the Moravian Archives at Old Salem as well as through the county office.

The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds marriage bonds and other historical materials from Forsyth County. Genealogists who cannot find older records at the county level should check the archives at archives.ncdcr.gov. Marriage bonds from the 1800s often contain names of relatives and bondsmen that can help with family history research beyond what the license itself provides.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Forsyth County. If you need marriage records from a neighboring area, start with the county where the ceremony took place.