Vance County Marriage Records

Vance County marriage records are held by the Register of Deeds in Henderson, North Carolina. The office keeps marriage records from 1881 and birth and death records from 1913. Land records also begin in 1881. Henderson is the county seat and serves as the hub for all county government services. This page explains how to find Vance County marriage records, how to apply for a license, and how to get certified copies from the office on Young Street.

Vance County Register of Deeds

The Vance County Register of Deeds is located at 122 Young Street, Henderson, NC 27536. The office phone is (252) 738-2002. Staff handle marriage licenses, certified copy requests, and vital records for Vance County. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The county's main department page is at vancecounty.org.

Vance County was formed in 1881 from parts of Franklin, Granville, and Warren counties. It was named for Zebulon Baird Vance, a Civil War governor of North Carolina. Henderson serves as the county seat. Marriage records at the Register of Deeds begin in 1881, the year the county was established. Birth and death records begin in 1913, when statewide vital records registration began in North Carolina. Land records also run from 1881 to the present.

Getting a Marriage License in Vance County

Both applicants must come to the Register of Deeds office in Henderson to apply for a marriage license in Vance County. The office is at 122 Young Street. Both people must bring valid government-issued photo identification. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and information about any prior marriages.

If either applicant was previously married, you must show how that marriage ended under N.C.G.S. 51-16. A certified divorce decree or death certificate is required. The license fee is $60 and is paid at the time of application. Under N.C.G.S. 51-6, the license is valid for 60 days anywhere in North Carolina.

Once the ceremony is complete, the officiant fills in the license and returns it to the Vance County Register of Deeds for recording. The office creates the official marriage record. Certified copies may be ordered after the record is filed with the county.

Vance County Marriage Records Certified Copies

Certified copies of Vance County marriage records are available from the Register of Deeds at 122 Young Street in Henderson. Visit in person during business hours. Bring valid photo ID and the names of both parties along with the approximate year of the marriage. Staff will search the records and assist you during your visit.

Mail requests are accepted as well. Write to the Vance County Register of Deeds, 122 Young Street, Henderson, NC 27536. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate marriage date, your return address, and a money order for the copy fee. Do not send cash. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your documents.

Certified copies of vital records in North Carolina are governed by N.C.G.S. 130A-93. Only the parties to the marriage and certain qualified individuals may obtain certified copies. Call (252) 738-2002 if you have questions about eligibility before making a trip or sending a mail request.

Search Vance County Marriage Records Online

The Vance County Register of Deeds provides access to county records through the county website at vancecounty.org. The online system allows you to search indexed records and locate documents without traveling to Henderson. Check the website for current details on what records are available for online searching and what steps are needed for copy requests.

North Carolina Vital Records in Raleigh holds statewide marriage records from 1962 to the present. Their portal at vitalrecords.nc.gov explains how to request state-level records. For Vance County marriages from 1881 to 1962, the Register of Deeds in Henderson is the right source. Third-party genealogy sites may have indexes for early records, but certified copies must come from the official county or state office.

Historical Marriage Records in Vance County

Vance County was created in 1881, and the Register of Deeds holds marriage records from that year forward. More than 140 years of family history in the north-central Piedmont region is documented in this office. Older records may be in original paper form and take additional time to locate.

The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds historical records from many counties. Researchers working on families from Vance County's predecessor counties, Franklin, Granville, and Warren, should also check those counties' records. The archives are available at archives.ncdcr.gov. Genealogy databases can be a useful starting point but are not substitutes for official certified copies from the county office.

Nearby Counties

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