Madison County Marriage Records and Licenses

Madison County marriage records are maintained by the Register of Deeds office in Marshall, North Carolina. The office stores marriage licenses and vital documents for all marriages that took place in this western mountain county. Susan Rector leads the office and oversees all records requests and license applications. Whether you need a new marriage license or a copy of an existing record, this guide explains what to bring, what to expect, and how the process works in Madison County.

Madison County Register of Deeds

The Register of Deeds is located at 5707 US 25-70 Hwy, Suite 6, Marshall, NC 28753. You can reach the office by phone at (828) 649-3131. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Susan Rector serves as Register of Deeds and manages all marriage license issuance and vital records requests for Madison County.

Madison County sits in the French Broad River valley in western North Carolina. The county was formed in 1851 and is known for its scenic mountain terrain and small communities. All marriages performed within the county boundaries are recorded at this one office in Marshall. The Register handles a wide range of documents in addition to marriage licenses, including deeds and other vital records.

Getting a Marriage License in Madison County

Both applicants must appear in person at the Register of Deeds office to apply for a Madison County marriage license. Each party needs a valid government-issued photo ID. Under NCGS 51-8, both people applying for the license must be present unless a court order states otherwise. The license costs $60.

Madison County accepts several forms of payment for the license fee. Cash, check, debit card, and credit card are all accepted. No premarital physical examination is required to obtain a marriage license in Madison County. There is no waiting period. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued and may be used anywhere in North Carolina.

If either applicant was previously married, documentation of how that marriage ended is required. A certified copy of a divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse satisfies this requirement under NCGS 51-16. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Madison County Register of Deeds for recording.

Madison County Vital Records and Certified Copies

The Madison County Register of Deeds holds marriage records and other vital documents. Certified copies of marriage records cost $10 each. Non-certified copies cost $0.25 per page. Bring a valid photo ID when visiting in person, along with the names of both parties and the approximate year of the marriage.

Under NCGS 130A-93, certified copies are issued to parties to the marriage and their legal representatives, among other qualified applicants. The office processes requests in person or by mail. For mail requests, include a written request with the relevant names and date, a copy of your ID, and payment by check or money order. Send to the office address in Marshall.

For marriages that took place after 1962, North Carolina Vital Records in Raleigh also holds statewide records. Visit vitalrecords.nc.gov for information on how to request a copy through the state office.

Historical Marriage Records in Madison County

Madison County was formed in 1851 from Buncombe and Yancey counties. Marriage records at the Register of Deeds office trace back to the county's founding period. Researchers looking for records before the county was formed should check Buncombe County records and the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh, which holds marriage bonds and registers from the western mountain region.

Genealogists working on Madison County family trees often start with the Register of Deeds, then expand to the state archives and online genealogy platforms. FamilySearch indexes some North Carolina marriage records and makes them searchable by name. These tools can help identify the approximate date of a marriage before you request the official document from the county office.

For statewide context on marriage records research, the North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds at ncard.us provides a guide to what each county office holds and how to access those records. This is a good starting point before contacting individual offices.

Madison County Marriage License Details

The Madison County Register of Deeds in Marshall can provide current information on specific requirements for applying. Call (828) 649-3131 before your visit to confirm current ID requirements, payment options, and what documents to bring if either party has been married before.

Both applicants will need to provide their Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and information about their residence. The license is issued the same day in most cases. It is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. Under NCGS 51-6, the license must be obtained before the ceremony and returned to the Register of Deeds after the ceremony for recording.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Madison County. Confirm where the ceremony took place to determine which county holds the marriage record you need.