Wilkes County Marriage Records

Wilkes County marriage records are held by the Register of Deeds in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The office keeps marriage records from 1778 and birth and death records from 1913. Wilkes County is among the oldest counties in North Carolina. Wilkesboro serves as the county seat and sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This page explains how to find Wilkes County marriage records, apply for a marriage license, and request certified copies from the Register of Deeds on Courthouse Drive.

Wilkes County Register of Deeds

The Wilkes County Register of Deeds is located at 500 Courthouse Drive, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. The phone number is (336) 651-7351. Staff handle marriage licenses, vital records, and certified copy requests for Wilkes County. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Department information is available at wilkescounty.net.

Wilkes County was formed in 1778 from Surry County and the district of Rowan. It was named for John Wilkes, a British politician who was popular among American colonists. Wilkesboro has served as the county seat since the county's early years. Marriage records at the Register of Deeds date from 1778. The county sits at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with the Yadkin River running through the foothills. The county government website at wilkescountync.com provides general government information.

Wilkes County Marriage License Application

Both applicants must appear in person at the Register of Deeds in Wilkesboro to apply for a marriage license in Wilkes County. The office is at 500 Courthouse Drive. 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.

Under N.C.G.S. 51-16, applicants with a prior marriage must show how it ended. A certified divorce decree or 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 per N.C.G.S. 51-6.

After the ceremony, the officiant must complete and return the license to the Wilkes County Register of Deeds. The office records the marriage and issues certified copies once the record is filed. Allow time for the office to process the returned license before ordering copies.

Wilkes County Marriage Records Certified Copies

Certified copies of Wilkes County marriage records are available from the Register of Deeds at 500 Courthouse Drive in Wilkesboro. 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 and provide copies during your visit.

Mail requests are also processed by the office. Write to the Wilkes County Register of Deeds, 500 Courthouse Drive, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate marriage date, a return address, and a money order for the copy fee. Do not send cash. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your documents.

Under N.C.G.S. 130A-93, certified copies of vital records may only be issued to the parties to the marriage and certain qualified individuals. Call (336) 651-7351 if you have questions about eligibility before making a trip or submitting a request.

Search Wilkes County Marriage Records Online

The Wilkes County Register of Deeds website at wilkescounty.net provides information about county records and access options. Check the site for current details on what records are searchable online and how to request copies. Online tools can help confirm whether a record exists in the county index before you visit or submit a request.

North Carolina Vital Records in Raleigh covers statewide marriage records from 1962 to the present. Their portal at vitalrecords.nc.gov explains how to order state records. For Wilkes County marriages from 1778 through 1961, the Register of Deeds in Wilkesboro is the primary source. The state archives at archives.ncdcr.gov holds older county materials that may aid genealogical research.

Historical Marriage Records in Wilkes County

Wilkes County was established in 1778. Marriage records from the late eighteenth century are among the oldest in the state. Early records include marriage bonds that predate the modern license system. These bonds often name relatives and other witnesses, making them valuable for tracing family lines in the foothills region of North Carolina.

The North Carolina State Archives at archives.ncdcr.gov holds historical materials from many counties, including early Wilkes County documents. Researchers working on Revolutionary War-era and antebellum families should check both the county office and the state archives. Third-party genealogy platforms may index some records but are not official sources for certified copies.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Wilkes 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.