North Carolina Marriage Records

North Carolina marriage records are official files and documentation maintained by government organizations that contain information about marriages in the state. Historically, churches played a significant role in preserving marriage records before civil records became standard. A marriage record may include the following information:

• Details about the spouses (full name, date of birth, address at time of marriage, occupation)
• Details about the civil ceremony (date and location)
• Name of officiant

North Carolina marriage records may also contain information on related participants, such as the parents’ names and witnesses present during the wedding. Civil records are official government documents that record vital events such as marriages and are maintained by various departments. Marriage records may be recorded by a clerk, such as a county clerk or town clerk, who is responsible for maintaining these records. The county clerk and town officials play a key role in recording and storing marriage documentation, ensuring the appropriate authorities officially record these events in writing. In smaller jurisdictions, town clerks may also be responsible for recording marriage events before establishing formal civil registries. Personal records such as journals or written accounts were sometimes used as evidence of marriage. North Carolina marriage records are classified as vital and maintained by public entities such as the NC Office of Vital Records, the department responsible for issuing and maintaining civil records, including marriage records. As part of its duties under the Division of Public Health, the Vital Records office maintains marriage records dating to 1962. Multiple laws, including the North Carolina Public Records Act, govern access to such documents. They are also considered a part of North Carolina family court records.

What Types Of Marriage Records Are Available In North Carolina?

Government agencies maintain different types of marriage records, ranging from marriage bonds issued between 1741 and 1868 to more recent records created during license applications. These records document the marriage event and include essential marriage information such as the parties' names, date, and location. However, the most common records include marriage certificates and licenses, with each record type containing specific marriage information about the event.

North Carolina Marriage Certificate

A North Carolina marriage certificate officially declares that two people are married. Marriage certificates are created after marriage and remain valid for as long as the marriage exists. Some of the requirements that couples must meet to obtain a marriage certificate include:

• Secure a wedding license
• Schedule a wedding ceremony
• Have the ceremony led by a recognized officiant such as a judge, magistrate, or minister.

North Carolina Marriage License

A North Carolina marriage license is an official document issued by the County Register of Deeds Office, granting the named parties the right to marry. Marriage licenses are issued before a wedding and remain valid for at least 60 days. Both parties must be old enough to marry (at least 18 without parental consent) to obtain a marriage license. Applicants must also be physically present and pay the fee.

Are North Carolina Marriage Records Public?

North Carolina marriage records fall under the umbrella of public records. Unlike some US states, North Carolina does not place any restrictions on accessing vital records, such as marriage, birth, or death records. The state also has no waiting period. Such records become public as soon as they are created. Anyone can obtain record copies by submitting a request to the record custodian. Depending on where the marriage occurred, this may be the County Register of Deeds Office or the local Vital Records Office. Individuals may need to contact the County Register of Deeds Office or the local Vital Records Office directly to request marriage records in person, by mail, or online. Some offices also provide online search tools that allow users to search for and locate specific marriage records.

How to Find Marriage Records in North Carolina

Finding marriage records in North Carolina is a relatively straightforward process. Interested parties can follow the following steps to obtain such records:

Step 1. Identify the Year the Marriage Occurred

Public marriage records date back to the mid-1700s. Depending on when a couple married, marriage records may be maintained by the NC Vital Records office, the county Register of Deeds, or the State Archives of NC. The State Archives will likely maintain records of marriages over a hundred years ago, while records filed in the last 100 years can be found with the county Register of Deeds. Although the NC Vital Records office maintains marriage records, the earliest filed entry begins in 1962.

Step 2. Collect Related Information

As part of the application process for obtaining marriage records, requesters must provide some details associated with the record. Some of these include:

• The full names of the groom and bride
• Last name before first marriage (if applicable)
• Date and county of marriage

It is important to provide accurate marriage dates to help locate the correct record.

If you wish to obtain certified copies of a record, you’ll need to provide additional documents to assert your entitlement. Under North Carolina laws, certified records can only be obtained by direct family relatives, such as spouses, parents, step-parents, children, step-children, siblings, or grandparents.

Step 3. Submit the Application and pay the fee

Government agencies provide flexible options for obtaining records. For instance, the North Carolina Division of Public Health provides options for online, in-person, and mail requests. However, the processing time for each option varies. While online and in-person requests may take only a few days, mail requests may take a week or longer. Some agencies may also provide digital images of marriage records for online requests. Applications are only processed after the requester pays the fee. The state vital records office charges $24 for the first certified copy and $15 for every additional copy made with the same request.

If you are unable to access the online application, you may submit a written request by mail. Written requests should include all necessary marriage information, such as names and marriage dates, and be sent to the appropriate office.

How to Get a Marriage License in North Carolina

A marriage license is an essential first step to getting married in North Carolina. Generally, anyone can obtain a license by meeting key requirements and following a few general steps.

Step 1. Meeting State Eligibility Rules

Both applicants must be old enough to marry to obtain a marriage license. While applicants 18 years and above can marry without parental consent, persons between 16 and 17 must provide parental consent. In addition, both parties must have no direct relations and indicate their willingness to marry.

Note: Individuals between 14 and 15 may obtain a license only with a court order.

Step 2. Collect Necessary Documents and Information

To obtain a marriage license, both parties must complete an application form and provide their full names, gender, date of birth, and race. Some of the other items required for a marriage license application include:

• Details of marital status (number of marriages)
• Full names of both parents
• Proof of social security or a TIN number
• Highest grade completed
• An affidavit is that the applicant has not been issued a social security number
• A valid ID, such as a certified birth record
• Applicants in a previous marriage must present a divorce decree confirming their marriage eligibility.

Step 3. Submit Application

The County Register of Deeds processes marriage license applications. While some counties require that both parties schedule appointments, others, such as the Wake County Register of Deeds, allow walk-in applications. Most counties require both parties to be present to obtain a license. Applicants will also be expected to pay the applicable fee. Once issued, a marriage license remains valid for 60 days, during which the couple must have a wedding ceremony performed by a recognized officiant.

Who Can Obtain Marriage Records in North Carolina?

Anyone can obtain uncertified copies of marriage records in North Carolina. However, applicants must provide related information to get a record, such as the marriage date and where the license was issued. Requesters may also need to submit evidence of their relationship to the parties named on the record when requesting a certified copy. In contrast, North Carolina laws restrict who may obtain certified copies of a marriage record.

Under North Carolina law, NCGS 130A-93(c), certified marriage records can only be issued to the following persons:

• Spouses named on the certificate
• Direct family relations, such as siblings, parents, children, step-parents, or step-children
• An attorney or anyone legally authorized to represent any of the above

Can You Lookup Online Marriage Records For Free in North Carolina?

You can look at public marriage records online, depending on when and where the records were filed. For instance, several marriage indexes provide access to various marriage bonds, certificates, registers, and cohabitation bonds created between 1741 and 2011. Several North Carolina County Register of Deeds offices also provide marriage records online. Official county websites often offer search tools for marriage records, and the NYC government portal (www.nyc.gov/cupid) offers online appointment scheduling and record requests. Sometimes, individuals may need to visit county offices to access certain records, especially for recent marriages. Third-party platforms may also offer a solution. Unaffiliated with the North Carolina government, such sites provide access to a wide selection of public records collated from different cities and counties across the state. However, the accuracy of the record results on such platforms may vary.

Is North Carolina a Common Law State for Marriage?

North Carolina does not recognize common-law marriages. To be married in North Carolina, both parties must get a license and have a ceremony in the presence of a recognized officiant. That said, per the full faith and credit clause, North Carolina recognizes the validity of common-law marriages established in states that allow this union. If a couple enters a common law marriage in another state and relocates to North Carolina, the marriage is considered valid.

Common law marriages refer to informal civil unions where two people are considered to be legally married, even though they did not obtain a license or have a marriage ceremony. Such unions are fully or partially recognized in several states, including Colorado, Iowa, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. Some of the general requirements include:

• Couples must be cohabiting for a fixed period
• Both parties must have the legal right to marry (be old enough and unrelated to each other)
• Both couples must hold themselves out as married to family, friends, and the general public

Although North Carolina does not recognize common-law marriages, unmarried couples who wish to assert some rights and responsibilities without getting married may use cohabitation agreements. The court acknowledges such contracts when used to define health decisions, property rights, debt payments, or asset dispersals, among other options.