Watauga County Marriage Records

Watauga County marriage records are held by the Register of Deeds in Boone, North Carolina. The office keeps marriage records from 1849 and birth and death records from 1913. Boone is the county seat and home to Appalachian State University. The county sits in the High Country region of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwestern North Carolina. This page explains how to find Watauga County marriage records, how to apply for a license, and how to request certified copies from the Register of Deeds on West King Street.

Watauga County Register of Deeds

The Watauga County Register of Deeds is located at 842 W. King Street, Boone, NC 28607. The phone number is (828) 265-8025. Staff handle marriage licenses, vital records, and certified copy requests for Watauga County. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Additional department information is available at wataugacounty.org.

Watauga County was formed in 1849 from Ashe, Caldwell, Wilkes, and Yancey counties. The county name comes from the Watauga River, which runs through the region. Boone was named for explorer Daniel Boone, who traveled through the area in the 1770s. Marriage records at the Register of Deeds date from 1849, covering more than 175 years of family history in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The High Country setting draws visitors from across the region and adds to the county's unique character.

Watauga County Marriage License Application

Both applicants must come to the Register of Deeds office together to apply for a marriage license in Watauga County. The office is at 842 W. King Street in Boone. Each person must present valid government-issued photo identification. You will also need your Social Security number, date of birth, and information about any prior marriages.

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

After the ceremony, the officiant completes the license and returns it to the Watauga County Register of Deeds. The office records the marriage and creates the official certificate. Certified copies may be ordered once the record is filed with the county.

Watauga County Marriage Records Copies

Certified copies of Watauga County marriage records are available from the Register of Deeds at 842 W. King Street in Boone. In-person requests are handled during regular 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 provide copies during your visit.

Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Watauga County Register of Deeds, 842 W. King Street, Boone, NC 28607. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate marriage date, a return address, and a money order for the appropriate fee. Do not send cash. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope so the office can return your copies.

Under N.C.G.S. 130A-93, certified copies of vital records are only issued to the parties to the marriage and certain qualified individuals. Call (828) 265-8025 before submitting a request if you have questions about eligibility.

Search Watauga County Marriage Records Online

The Watauga County Register of Deeds provides information and online access to records through the county website at wataugacounty.org. Check the site for current details about what is searchable online and what steps are needed for copy requests. Online search options may vary depending on the time period of the record.

North Carolina Vital Records in Raleigh holds statewide marriage records from 1962 to the present. Visit vitalrecords.nc.gov to learn how to order state records. For Watauga County marriages from 1849 through 1961, the Register of Deeds in Boone is the primary source. The state archives at archives.ncdcr.gov may hold additional older materials for the High Country region.

Historical Marriage Records in Watauga County

Watauga County was established in 1849, and its marriage records reach back to that same year. More than 175 years of marriage history in the Blue Ridge Mountains is documented at the Register of Deeds in Boone. Older records may be in original paper form and may require additional time for staff to locate and retrieve.

The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds historical records from many counties, including early Watauga County documents. Researchers working on family history from the mid-nineteenth century should check both the county office and the archives. Genealogy databases such as FamilySearch have indexed portions of North Carolina county records and can help narrow a search. Certified copies must always come from the official county or state office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Watauga County. Check the county where the marriage license was issued or the ceremony took place if you are unsure which office holds the record.