Union County Marriage Records

Union County marriage records are held by the Register of Deeds in Monroe, North Carolina. The office is located on the second floor of 500 N. Main Street in Monroe. Union County sits in the southern Piedmont region of North Carolina, south of Charlotte. Free document searching is available online for Union County records. This page covers how to find Union County marriage records, how to apply for a marriage license, and how to request certified copies from the office in Monroe.

Union County Register of Deeds in Monroe

The Union County Register of Deeds is located at 500 N. Main Street, 2nd Floor, Monroe, NC 28111. The office phone number is (704) 283-3727. Staff handle marriage licenses, vital records, and document copy requests. Free document searching is available online for Union County records, making it possible to check the index without visiting Monroe.

Union County was formed in 1842 from Anson and Mecklenburg counties. Monroe has served as the county seat since the county's formation. The county is part of the Charlotte metro area and has grown significantly in recent decades. The Register of Deeds holds marriage records from the 1840s forward. The southern Piedmont location puts Union County within easy reach of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the South Carolina border.

Union County Marriage License Application

Both applicants must appear in person to apply for a marriage license in Union County. The Register of Deeds office is on the second floor at 500 N. Main Street in Monroe. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID for each person. You will also need your Social Security number, date of birth, and information about any prior marriages.

Under N.C.G.S. 51-16, if either applicant was previously married, documentation showing how that marriage ended is required. Acceptable proof includes a certified divorce decree or a death certificate. Once issued, the Union County marriage license is valid for 60 days anywhere in North Carolina under N.C.G.S. 51-6. The license fee is $60, paid at the time of application.

After the ceremony, the officiant completes and signs the license. It must be returned to the Union County Register of Deeds for recording. The office then creates the official marriage record, and certified copies may be ordered once the record is filed.

Certified Copies of Union County Marriage Records

The Union County Register of Deeds issues certified copies of marriage records. In-person requests can be made at 500 N. Main Street, 2nd Floor, Monroe, during business hours. Bring photo ID and the names of both parties. Include the approximate year of the marriage. Staff will search the records and provide copies during your visit in most cases.

Mail requests are also processed by the office. Write to the Union County Register of Deeds at 500 N. Main Street, 2nd Floor, Monroe, NC 28111. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate marriage date, a return address, and a money order for the appropriate fee. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. Do not mail cash.

Under N.C.G.S. 130A-93, certified vital records copies are issued only to the parties to the marriage and certain qualified individuals. Call (704) 283-3727 before submitting a request if you have questions about eligibility.

Search Union County Marriage Records Online

Union County provides free online document searching for its records. This allows you to search the index and locate documents without traveling to Monroe. The free search is practical for basic research and for confirming whether a record exists in the system. For certified copies, you must still contact the office directly.

North Carolina Vital Records in Raleigh maintains statewide marriage records from 1962 to the present. Visit vitalrecords.nc.gov for information on ordering state-level records. For Union County marriages before 1962, the Register of Deeds in Monroe is the primary source. Genealogy platforms such as FamilySearch have indexed some North Carolina county records and can assist with early research.

Historical Union County Marriage Records

Union County was formed in 1842, and its marriage records go back to around the time of formation. Records covering more than 180 years of family history in the southern Piedmont are available from the Register of Deeds office in Monroe. Older records may be in original paper form and take additional time to locate and retrieve.

The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds historical records from many counties. Researchers working on nineteenth-century Union County families should check both the county office and the archives. The archives are accessible at archives.ncdcr.gov. Staff can identify what Union County materials are in the collection and whether any have been digitized for easier access.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Union County. If you are not sure which county holds the record you need, confirm the location of the ceremony or where the license was issued.