Stokes County Marriage Records

Stokes County marriage records are kept by the Register of Deeds in Danbury, North Carolina. Danbury is the county seat. The Register of Deeds office at 1014 Main Street holds marriage records along with deeds, birth and death certificates, and other official documents. Stokes County was formed in 1789 from Surry County and shares a border with Virginia. Marriage records in this county date as far back as 1790, making this one of the older county archives in North Carolina. This page explains how to find Stokes County marriage records and obtain copies.

Stokes County Register of Deeds in Danbury

The Stokes County Register of Deeds is at 1014 Main Street, PO Box 67, Danbury, NC 27016. The phone number is (336) 593-2814. Staff handle marriage licenses, deed recordings, vital records, and copy requests. Contact the office by phone or visit in person during regular business hours.

Danbury is a small community in the northern Piedmont of North Carolina. The county sits against the Virginia state line, sharing a border with Patrick County and Henry County in Virginia. This geographic position makes Stokes County a notable location for researchers whose families moved between North Carolina and Virginia in the 18th and 19th centuries. Records from both sides of the border may be needed for complete genealogical research.

History of Stokes County Marriage Records

Stokes County was formed in 1789 from Surry County. It was named for Captain John Stokes, a Revolutionary War officer who served in the Continental Army and later became a federal judge. The county has one of the longer record histories among North Carolina counties.

Marriage records in Stokes County date to approximately 1790. Some sources note that more complete and consistent records survive from 1868 onward. Earlier records from the late 18th and early 19th centuries may exist in the form of marriage bonds, which were the standard method of documenting marriages before formal license systems were established. These bonds are typically held at the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh.

Researchers working on Stokes County genealogy should be aware that the county produced Surry County before Stokes was carved out. Families in this region may have records split across both counties. The NC State Archives holds many of the pre-1868 bond records, and the NC Association of Registers of Deeds can provide guidance on locating records across county lines. Under N.C.G.S. 130A-93, certified vital records copies are available to qualified individuals from the county office.

Stokes County Marriage License Information

Both applicants must appear in person at the Register of Deeds office at 1014 Main Street in Danbury to apply for a marriage license. Each person must present valid government-issued photo identification. No residency in Stokes County is required.

Bring your Social Security number, date of birth, and information about any prior marriages. If a previous marriage existed, documentation showing it ended by divorce, annulment, or the death of the former spouse may be required. Under N.C.G.S. 51-6, a license issued in Stokes County is valid for use anywhere in North Carolina for 60 days from the date it is issued.

After the ceremony, the officiant completes the marriage certificate and returns it to the Stokes County Register of Deeds. This returned certificate becomes the permanent record of the marriage. Certified copies are available after recording. The office at 1014 Main Street is the official source for all Stokes County marriage records.

Requesting Copies of Stokes County Marriage Records

Visit the Register of Deeds at 1014 Main Street in Danbury for in-person requests. Call (336) 593-2814 ahead of your visit to confirm hours and what to bring. Staff will search the index and provide copies during your visit.

Certified copies cost $10 each. Uncertified copies are $0.25 per page. Mail requests are accepted. Write to the Stokes County Register of Deeds, PO Box 67, Danbury, NC 27016. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate marriage year, your return address, and payment for the applicable fee. Do not mail cash. Confirm the accepted payment forms by calling the office before sending a request.

For Stokes County marriages from 1962 forward, the NC Vital Records office in Raleigh also provides certified copies. For earlier records, the Register of Deeds in Danbury is the primary source. Research support is also available through the NC Association of Registers of Deeds.

Virginia Border Research in Stokes County

Stokes County sits directly on the Virginia border. Families in this region often crossed state lines for work, church, and family visits. Some marriages involving Stokes County residents were performed in Virginia, and some Virginia residents married in Stokes County.

Henry County and Patrick County in Virginia border Stokes County to the north. The Library of Virginia in Richmond holds marriage records for these Virginia counties. Researchers should check records on both sides of the border when working on 18th and 19th century families from this region. Call the Stokes County Register of Deeds at (336) 593-2814 for guidance on what local records are available and how far back they extend.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Stokes County. Each has its own Register of Deeds and a separate set of marriage records.