Lee County Marriage Records

Lee County marriage records are kept by the Register of Deeds in Sanford, North Carolina. The office handles marriage licenses, certified copies, and other vital records for Lee County. Marriage licenses require an appointment, while other record requests can be handled during regular business hours. This page explains how to find Lee County marriage records, what the office requires for license appointments, and an important change that took effect in January 2024 regarding birth certificate requests.

Lee County Register of Deeds

The Lee County Register of Deeds is located at 1300 South Horner Blvd., Sanford, NC 27330. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office handles marriage licenses, birth records, death records, and real estate documents for Lee County. Marriage licenses are by appointment only. Other record services, including requests for certified copies of marriage records, do not require an appointment during regular business hours.

For current office information, services, and contact details, visit the county website at leecountync.gov/departments/register_of_deeds/index.php. This page is updated when office procedures change. It is a good starting point before visiting or calling the office in Sanford.

Marriage Licenses in Lee County

Both applicants must appear together at the Register of Deeds in Sanford to apply for a marriage license. An appointment is required. Call the office or check the website to schedule a time within regular business hours. Bring valid government-issued photo identification for both applicants. The standard North Carolina marriage license fee applies and must be paid at the time of the appointment.

The marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. It can be used for a ceremony anywhere in North Carolina. After the ceremony, the officiant completes and returns the license to the Lee County Register of Deeds. The office records the marriage and files the certificate. Certified copies of the Lee County marriage record can then be requested by either party at any time.

Lee County Birth Certificate Policy Change

Effective January 2024, the Lee County Register of Deeds no longer pulls birth certificates from other counties. If you need a birth certificate from a county other than Lee, you must contact that county's Register of Deeds directly or request it from the North Carolina Vital Records office in Raleigh. This change affects anyone who was born in another county and needs a copy while residing in Lee County.

For North Carolina birth certificates from any county, the state vital records office handles statewide requests. Visit vitalrecords.nc.gov to request records directly from the state. This policy does not affect marriage records, which are still handled by whichever county office recorded the original marriage.

Lee County Marriage Records Certified Copies

Certified copies of Lee County marriage records can be requested at the Register of Deeds at 1300 South Horner Blvd. in Sanford. No appointment is needed for this type of request. Bring valid photo identification and information about the record, including the full names of both parties and the approximate date of marriage. Staff will search the collection and provide copies. Payment is due at the time of the request.

For mail requests, write to the Register of Deeds at the Sanford address. Include the names and marriage date, a money order made payable to the Register of Deeds, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The office will search the records and mail the copy to you. Do not send cash. Allow time for processing and mailing when planning a mail request.

The North Carolina Vital Records office holds statewide marriage records from 1962 onward. For Lee County records before 1962, the county office is your primary source.

Historical Lee County Marriage Records

Lee County was established in 1907 from portions of Chatham and Moore Counties. Its marriage records collection begins around that time. For marriages in this geographic area before 1907, Chatham and Moore County records are the places to look. The Register of Deeds in Sanford can advise on what is available within the Lee County collection.

The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds historical records from many counties. For early twentieth-century marriage research in Lee County, the archives at archives.ncdcr.gov may hold supplementary materials. Staff there can help identify what is available for specific time periods in the Lee County area.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lee County. Marriage records are kept in the county where the ceremony was performed.