Lincoln County Marriage Records
Lincoln County marriage records are maintained by the Register of Deeds in Lincolnton, North Carolina. The office holds marriage licenses and certificates from 1868 and real estate records going back to 1769. The office accepts cash, certified checks, business checks, money orders, and debit or credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted. This page explains how to find Lincoln County marriage records, what forms of payment are accepted, and how to request copies in person, by mail, or online.
Lincoln County Quick Facts
Lincoln County Register of Deeds
The Lincoln County Register of Deeds is located at 206 Gamble Drive, 2nd Floor, Lincolnton, NC 28092. The office handles marriage licenses, birth records, death records, and real estate documents for Lincoln County. Birth and death records are available from 1913. Marriage records go back to 1868. Real estate records at this office extend back to 1769, making Lincoln County one of the deeper historical collections in the western Piedmont.
Payment at the Lincoln County Register of Deeds must be made with cash, certified checks, business checks, money orders, debit cards, or credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted. For current services, hours, and contact information, visit lincolnrod.com. The vital records section of the site at lincolnrod.com/vital-records/ outlines what records the office holds and how to request them.
| Office |
Lincoln County Register of Deeds 206 Gamble Drive, 2nd Floor Lincolnton, NC 28092 |
|---|---|
| Marriage Records | Available from 1868 |
| Real Estate Records | Available from 1769 |
| Payment Accepted | Cash, certified checks, business checks, money orders, debit, credit. No personal checks. |
| Website | lincolnrod.com |
| Vital Records | lincolnrod.com/vital-records/ |
Marriage Licenses in Lincoln County
Both applicants must appear together at the Register of Deeds in Lincolnton to apply for a marriage license. Bring valid government-issued photo identification. The standard North Carolina license fee applies and must be paid in an accepted form. Personal checks are not accepted, so plan to bring cash, a debit card, a credit card, or a certified check.
The license is valid for 60 days and is good for ceremonies anywhere in North Carolina. After the wedding, the officiant returns the completed license to the Register of Deeds. The office records the marriage and files the certificate. After that, either party can request certified copies of the Lincoln County marriage record.
Call the office or check the website before visiting to confirm current hours and whether appointments are needed for marriage license applications.
Lincoln County Vital Records at the Register of Deeds
The Lincoln County Register of Deeds holds the following vital records: birth and death records from 1913, and marriage records from 1868. For general vital records requests, you can visit the office in person, submit a mail request, or check the website for any online ordering options. The vital records page at lincolnrod.com/vital-records/ explains what is available and how to request copies.
For in-person requests, bring photo ID and the names and approximate date associated with the record. Payment must be in an accepted form. Staff will search the records and provide copies while you wait in most cases. For mail requests, include a money order payable to the Register of Deeds, a written request with names and date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Historical Lincoln County Marriage Records
Lincoln County has deep historical roots in the western Piedmont of North Carolina. Real estate records at the Register of Deeds go back to 1769, and marriage records are available from 1868. For records from the earliest period of the county's history, researchers should check the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh for any marriage bonds or registers that may predate the 1868 county collection.
The archives at archives.ncdcr.gov hold historical records from many counties including Lincoln. Researchers working on nineteenth-century family history in Lincoln County will find the combination of the county office and the State Archives to be the most complete approach. The archives staff can help identify what materials are available for the specific time period and record type you need.
Lincoln County was formed in 1779 from Tryon County, giving it a history that predates the United States as a nation. Genealogists researching early American families in this part of North Carolina will find the long records collection at the Register of Deeds to be a valuable starting point.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Lincoln County. Marriage records are filed in the county where the ceremony was performed.