Haywood County Marriage Records
Haywood County marriage records are kept by the Register of Deeds at the Historic Courthouse in Waynesville, North Carolina. The office stores marriage licenses and certificates dating from 1850, along with other vital records for the county. Some older records were lost during a move in 1932, but much of the collection has survived. This page explains how to find Haywood County marriage records, what is available at the county office, and where to go for genealogy and historical research in western North Carolina.
Haywood County Quick Facts
Haywood County Register of Deeds
The Haywood County Register of Deeds is located at the Historic Courthouse, 215 North Main St., Suite 213, Waynesville, NC. You can reach the office by phone at (828) 452-6635. The Register handles marriage licenses, birth records, death records, and real estate documents for Haywood County. Staff can search the marriage record index, provide copies, and advise on what materials are available for a particular time period.
The official county website provides information on office services and hours. For a current look at what the Register of Deeds offers, visit haywoodcountync.gov. If you are doing genealogical research in Haywood County, be aware that some records from the period before 1932 were damaged or lost during an office relocation. Staff can help clarify what is available for specific years.
| Office |
Haywood County Register of Deeds Historic Courthouse 215 North Main St., Suite 213 Waynesville, NC Phone: (828) 452-6635 |
|---|---|
| Website | haywoodcountync.gov/224/Register-of-Deeds |
| Genealogy | ncgenweb.us/haywood |
| Records Available | Marriage bonds and licenses from 1850; digitization in progress |
Marriage Licenses in Haywood County
To get a marriage license in Haywood County, both applicants must appear together at the Register of Deeds office in Waynesville. You will need valid photo identification. The standard North Carolina marriage license fee applies. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue and is good for ceremonies held anywhere in the state.
Once the ceremony takes place, the officiant fills out the return portion of the license and sends it back to the Register of Deeds. The office records the marriage and files the certificate. After that point, either party can request certified copies of the Haywood County marriage record. Call (828) 452-6635 to confirm current hours and any appointment requirements before visiting.
The office is in the Historic Courthouse on North Main Street in downtown Waynesville. Parking and public access information are available on the county website.
Haywood County Marriage Records Availability
Haywood County marriage bonds and licenses are available from 1850. Some records from before the 1932 office relocation were lost or damaged. The county has been working on digitizing its records collection so that more materials become accessible online. However, digitization is still underway, and some records may only be available in person at the Waynesville office.
If you need a record from the mid-1800s or early 1900s, contact the Register of Deeds before visiting. Staff can advise whether a specific record has survived and whether a copy is available. For records that may have been lost, the North Carolina State Archives may have duplicate or related materials that help fill the gap.
Haywood County Genealogy and Historical Records
Haywood County is a rich area for genealogical research, particularly for families in western North Carolina. The county was founded in 1808, and many records from the nineteenth century survive in various forms. For researchers tracing marriages in Haywood County, the NCGenWeb project maintains a dedicated page at ncgenweb.us/haywood. This volunteer-run resource indexes historical records and provides transcriptions useful to genealogists.
The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds historical marriage records from many counties including Haywood. Researchers working on records from the 1800s should check the archives at archives.ncdcr.gov for bonds, registers, and other historical materials not held at the county level. The archives staff can help identify what materials are available and how to access them.
Local libraries in Haywood County may also hold microfilm collections, family histories, and other research aids. The Haywood County Public Library in Waynesville is a good starting point for local genealogical research beyond the Register of Deeds records.
Searching Haywood Marriage Records Online
Haywood County is actively digitizing its records. As digitization continues, more marriage records from the county will become available online. Check the county Register of Deeds website at haywoodcountync.gov for updates on what is currently searchable online. Not all records are available digitally yet, and in-person visits may be necessary for some requests.
The NC Vital Records office maintains a statewide index for marriages registered from 1962 onward. For older Haywood County marriage records, the county office and the State Archives are the best sources. The state system is accessible at vitalrecords.nc.gov.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Haywood County. Marriage records are filed in the county where the ceremony took place, so confirm the location before requesting a record.