Robeson County Marriage Records

Robeson County marriage records are maintained by the Register of Deeds in Lumberton, North Carolina. The county was formed in 1787 from Bladen County, and marriage records date from that year. The Register of Deeds at 500 N. Elm Street in Lumberton is the official source for all marriage licenses, certificates, and vital documents in Robeson County. This is one of North Carolina's largest counties by area, and its Register of Deeds serves a diverse and historically significant community.

Robeson County Register of Deeds

The Register of Deeds at 500 N. Elm Street in Lumberton is the official keeper of Robeson County marriage records. The office holds all marriage licenses and certificates from 1787 to the present. Staff can search records by name and issue certified copies during regular business hours. Call (910) 671-3040 for assistance.

Robeson County is the largest county in North Carolina by area and one of the most populous in the southeastern part of the state. Lumberton serves as the county seat. The county is notable for its three major racial groups: white, African American, and Lumbee Native American. The Lumbee Tribe is the largest Native American tribe east of the Mississippi River and has deep roots in Robeson County. This diverse heritage makes Robeson County's records especially rich for family history research.

The county is named for Thomas Robeson, a colonel in the Revolutionary War who served with distinction in North Carolina. The county was formed from Bladen County in 1787, shortly after the end of the Revolutionary War. The Lumber River runs through the county, giving the county seat its name.

History of Robeson County Marriage Records

Robeson County was formed from Bladen County in 1787. Marriage records begin from the year of the county's formation. Before 1787, marriages in the area now comprising Robeson County were recorded in Bladen County. Researchers tracing family lines before 1787 should check Bladen County records or the North Carolina State Archives.

The county's diverse population has shaped its marriage records in distinctive ways. Lumbee families, African American families, and white families all appear throughout the county's marriage register going back to the early 19th century. During the antebellum period, the records primarily document free residents. After the Civil War, the records expand to include formerly enslaved persons who were newly recognized as legal parties to civil contracts including marriage.

Marriage bonds from the earliest years of Robeson County are held at the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh. These bonds are among the most important sources for tracing 18th and early 19th century families in the county. The State Archives at 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, can assist with research into these early records.

Modern records from 1856 forward are held at the Register of Deeds in Lumberton. The office can search by name and provide copies for the full span of post-formation records.

Getting Robeson County Marriage Record Copies

Visit the Register of Deeds at 500 N. Elm Street in Lumberton for in-person requests. Bring both parties' names and the approximate year of the marriage. Staff will search the index and prepare copies during regular office hours.

Mail requests are also accepted. Include both names, the year, your mailing address, and payment for the applicable fee. Call (910) 671-3040 to confirm current copy fees before mailing. The office handles both certified and uncertified copy requests for Robeson County marriage records.

For marriages in Robeson County from 1962 onward, the NC Vital Records office in Raleigh provides certified copies as well. For marriages before 1962, the county Register of Deeds is the primary source. Under N.C.G.S. 130A-93, officiants must return completed marriage certificates within 10 days of the ceremony.

Marriage Licenses in Robeson County

Both parties must appear together at the Register of Deeds in Lumberton to apply for a marriage license. No Robeson County residency is required. Under N.C.G.S. 51-6, a license from any county in North Carolina is valid statewide. Both applicants must bring valid photo IDs and be at least 18 years old under N.C.G.S. 51-2. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.

After the ceremony, the officiant completes the certificate and returns it to the Robeson County Register of Deeds. The office records the document and issues copies upon request. Certified copies carry the Register's official seal and are accepted by government agencies, courts, and financial institutions.

Vital Records at the Robeson County Register

The Robeson County Register of Deeds handles birth, death, and marriage records. All three vital record types are maintained at the office in Lumberton. Birth and death records complement the marriage collection for researchers tracing Robeson County family history.

The NC DHHS maintains a statewide database from 1962 forward. For earlier Robeson County records, the local Register of Deeds is the authoritative source. Given the county's large size and diverse population, the Register of Deeds in Lumberton processes a significant volume of records each year. Call (910) 671-3040 with questions about record availability and access.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Robeson County. Each has its own Register of Deeds with a separate marriage record collection.