Pender County Marriage Records

Pender County marriage records are kept at the Register of Deeds office in Burgaw, North Carolina. The county was formed in 1875 from New Hanover County, and marriage records begin from that year. The office in Burgaw is the official source for all marriage licenses and certificates in Pender County. Researchers tracing family history and individuals needing certified copies for legal purposes start their search here. Records span from the county's founding to the present day.

Pender County Register of Deeds

The Register of Deeds is the official keeper of marriage records in Pender County. The office holds all marriage licenses and certificates from 1875 to the present. Staff can search records by name and issue certified copies during regular business hours at 300 E. Fremont Street in Burgaw.

Pender County is named for William Dorsey Pender, a Confederate army general who died during the Civil War at the Battle of Gettysburg. The county stretches from the inland areas near Burgaw east toward the coast, bordered to the south by New Hanover County, from which it was formed. The Register of Deeds office handles marriage records alongside deed filings, UCC filings, and other vital records for the county.

The county has seen significant population growth in recent decades, driven partly by its proximity to Wilmington and its access to coastal communities. This growth has brought more requests for public records, including marriage records from newer and older residents alike. The Register of Deeds office in Burgaw is equipped to handle these requests for the full span of Pender County's history since 1875.

History of Pender County Marriage Records

Pender County was formed from New Hanover County in 1875. Marriage records in Pender County begin from 1875. Before the county's formation, marriages that took place in the territory now called Pender County would have been recorded in New Hanover County. Researchers looking for marriages before 1875 should check the New Hanover County Register of Deeds or the North Carolina State Archives.

The county is named in honor of William Dorsey Pender, a native North Carolinian who rose to the rank of Major General in the Confederate Army. He was mortally wounded at Gettysburg in 1863 and died shortly after. The naming reflects the strong Civil War era heritage present throughout eastern North Carolina.

Records from the earliest years of Pender County are handwritten ledger entries. Over time, printed forms replaced ledger entries. The format of marriage records has changed several times over the decades, reflecting updates to state law and recording practices. The Register of Deeds in Burgaw can advise researchers on what to expect from records of different eras.

Getting Pender County Marriage Record Copies

In-person visits to the Register of Deeds in Burgaw are the most direct way to get marriage record copies. Bring the names of both parties and an approximate year. Staff will search the index and prepare the copy for you.

Mail requests are also accepted. Include both names, the year of marriage, your contact information, and payment for the applicable fee. Address the request to the Pender County Register of Deeds at 300 E. Fremont Street, Burgaw, NC 28425. Call (910) 259-1225 to confirm current copy fees before sending your request.

For marriages in Pender County from 1962 forward, certified copies may also be requested from the North Carolina Vital Records office in Raleigh. The state office and the county office both produce legally valid certified copies. The county office is typically faster and more direct when the marriage took place in Pender County.

Under N.C.G.S. 130A-93, officiants must return completed marriage certificates to the Register of Deeds within 10 days of the ceremony. This requirement ensures that the Pender County record is created promptly following each wedding.

Marriage Licenses in Pender County

Both parties must appear together at the Register of Deeds to apply for a marriage license in Pender County. Neither person needs to be a county resident. Under N.C.G.S. 51-6, any county Register of Deeds may issue a license, and the couple may marry anywhere in the state.

Each applicant must present a valid government-issued photo ID. Under N.C.G.S. 51-2, both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry without a court order. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. If the couple does not marry within 60 days, they must apply for a new license at the Pender County office or any other county in North Carolina.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the certificate and returns it to the county where the license was issued. The Pender County Register of Deeds records the certificate, creating the permanent marriage record. Certified copies are then available upon request from the office at 300 E. Fremont Street in Burgaw.

Pender County Online Marriage Record Access

The Pender County Register of Deeds website provides information about services and how to access records. Visit pendercountync.gov for current office information, hours, and contact details. The website is the best starting point for planning an in-person visit or mail request.

For index searches and digitized images, contact the office directly to ask about the current state of their online tools. Many North Carolina counties have expanded their digital offerings in recent years. The Register of Deeds staff can advise you on what records are available through online portals versus records that require a physical visit or mail request to Pender County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Pender County. Each maintains its own marriage record collection at the local Register of Deeds office.