Yancey County Marriage Records

Yancey County marriage records are held by the Register of Deeds in Burnsville, North Carolina. The office keeps marriage records from 1834 and birth and death records from 1913. Burnsville serves as the county seat and sits in the Black Mountains region of western North Carolina. Yancey County's records go back nearly 200 years, making this office a valuable resource for mountain family history research. This page covers how to find Yancey County marriage records, apply for a license, and request copies from the Register of Deeds office on Town Square.

Yancey County Register of Deeds

The Yancey County Register of Deeds is located at 110 Town Square, Burnsville, NC 28714. The phone number is (828) 682-2174. Staff handle marriage licenses, vital records, and certified copy requests for Yancey County. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Department information is available at yanceycountync.gov.

Yancey County was formed in 1833 from Buncombe and Burke counties. It was named for Bartlett Yancey, a state legislator and member of Congress. Burnsville was named for Captain Otway Burns, a privateer in the War of 1812. The county is located in the Black Mountains and includes Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Marriage records at the Register of Deeds date from 1834. Nearly two centuries of family history in this high-elevation mountain region is documented in the county's vital records.

Yancey County Marriage License Application

Both applicants must appear in person at the Register of Deeds to apply for a marriage license in Yancey County. The office is at 110 Town Square in Burnsville. Each person must present valid government-issued photo identification. You 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 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 must complete the license and return it to the Yancey County Register of Deeds. The office records the marriage. Certified copies may be requested once the record is filed with the county.

Yancey County Marriage Records Copies

Certified copies of Yancey County marriage records are available from the Register of Deeds at 110 Town Square in Burnsville. In-person requests are the most direct option. 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 in most cases.

Mail requests are also accepted by the office. Write to the Yancey County Register of Deeds, 110 Town Square, Burnsville, NC 28714. 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 for the return of your documents.

Under N.C.G.S. 130A-93, certified copies of vital records are issued only to the parties to the marriage and certain qualified individuals. Contact the office at (828) 682-2174 if you have questions about eligibility before submitting a request.

Search Yancey County Marriage Records Online

The Yancey County Register of Deeds website at yanceycountync.gov provides information about available records and how to access them. Check the site for current details about online search tools and what records are available without an in-person visit. The website is a good starting point before calling or making the trip to Burnsville.

North Carolina Vital Records in Raleigh holds statewide marriage records from 1962 to the present. Visit vitalrecords.nc.gov for instructions on ordering state records. For Yancey County marriages from 1834 through 1961, the Register of Deeds in Burnsville is the primary source. The state archives at archives.ncdcr.gov holds older county materials useful for researchers working on mountain family genealogy.

Historical Marriage Records in Yancey County

Yancey County's marriage records begin in 1834. That gives researchers nearly two centuries of family history to explore in the Black Mountains region. Early records from the antebellum period through Reconstruction and into the twentieth century are held at the Register of Deeds office in Burnsville. Older records may be in original paper form and may require additional time to locate.

The North Carolina State Archives at archives.ncdcr.gov holds historical records from many counties, including early Yancey County materials. Genealogists working on nineteenth-century mountain families should check both the county office and the state archives. Researchers may also want to look at records from Buncombe and Burke counties, the predecessor counties from which Yancey was formed. Third-party genealogy platforms can help with initial searches but are not sources for certified copies.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Yancey County. Check the county where the marriage license was issued or the ceremony took place if you need to confirm which office holds the record.