Wayne County Marriage Records

Wayne County marriage records are held by the Register of Deeds in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The office keeps marriage records from 1779 and birth and death records from 1913. Wayne County was one of the original counties of the state, and its records reflect nearly 250 years of family history. Goldsboro is the county seat. This page covers how to find Wayne County marriage records, how to apply for a license, and how to request certified copies from the Register of Deeds office.

Wayne County Register of Deeds

The Wayne County Register of Deeds is located at 224 E. Walnut Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530. The phone number is (919) 731-1449. Staff handle marriage licenses, vital records, and certified copy requests. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Department information is available at waynegov.com.

Wayne County was formed in 1779 from Dobbs County. It was named for General Anthony Wayne, a Revolutionary War officer. Goldsboro grew up around the railroad and has served as the county seat for most of the county's history. Marriage records at the Register of Deeds date from 1779. The county's location in the central Coastal Plain region has made it an important part of eastern North Carolina's history. Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is a major presence in the county today.

Wayne County Marriage License Application

Both applicants must appear together in person to apply for a marriage license in Wayne County. Go to the Register of Deeds office at 224 E. Walnut Street in Goldsboro. Bring valid government-issued photo identification for each person. You will also need your Social Security number, date of birth, and details about any prior marriages.

Under N.C.G.S. 51-16, if either applicant was previously married, you must provide documentation showing how that marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate is acceptable. The license fee is $60. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days anywhere in North Carolina under N.C.G.S. 51-6. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed license to the Register of Deeds for recording.

Wayne County Marriage Records Certified Copies

Certified copies of Wayne County marriage records are available from the Register of Deeds at 224 E. Walnut Street in Goldsboro. Visit in person during business hours. Bring photo ID and the names of both parties along with the approximate year of the marriage. Staff will locate the record and provide copies during your visit.

Mail requests are also accepted. Address your request to the Wayne County Register of Deeds, 224 E. Walnut Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate marriage date, a return address, and a money order for the appropriate fee. Do not mail cash. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Under N.C.G.S. 130A-93, certified vital records are only issued to the parties to the marriage and certain qualified individuals. Call (919) 731-1449 to confirm your eligibility before submitting a request.

Search Wayne County Marriage Records Online

The Wayne County Register of Deeds website at waynegov.com provides information about available records and access options. Check the site for current details about online searching tools and what records are available remotely. The online system is useful for initial research and confirming whether a record exists in the county index.

North Carolina Vital Records in Raleigh holds statewide records from 1962 to the present. Visit vitalrecords.nc.gov to learn about ordering state-level records. For Wayne County marriages from 1779 through 1961, the Register of Deeds in Goldsboro is the right source. The North Carolina State Archives at archives.ncdcr.gov holds additional historical materials from the county's early years.

Historical Wayne County Marriage Records

Wayne County was established in 1779, and its marriage records span nearly 250 years of family history in central eastern North Carolina. Early records include marriage bonds and registers from the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. These documents often name relatives and bondsmen, providing genealogical detail beyond what modern records contain.

The North Carolina State Archives at archives.ncdcr.gov holds older Wayne County records and can assist researchers working on colonial-era or early American family history. The archives staff can identify what Wayne County materials are in the collection and whether any have been digitized. Third-party genealogy platforms may have indexes for some records, but certified copies must come from the official county or state office.

Nearby Counties

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