North Carolina Marriage Records

North Carolina began maintaining statewide marriage records in 1962. Before this, marriage records were managed at the county level by the Register of Deeds. Recent data shows that North Carolina has a marriage rate of 6.0 marriage per 1,000 residents. Its rate closely aligns with the national average, which is 6.2 per 1,000 people.

Marriage records in North Carolina are official documents issued by the government documenting the legal union between two individuals. In North Carolina, these records include Marriage Licenses and Marriage Certificates.

• Marriage License: A marriage license is a legal document issued by the County Register of Deeds Office that grants a couple permission to marry in the state. Marriage licenses are typically obtained before the wedding ceremony. A North Carolina marriage license typically includes the legal names of both parties, their birth dates, state and county of birth, address, parental information, applicant signatures, date of license issue, and expiration date.
• Marriage Certificate: A marriage certificate is an official document that serves as proof that a marriage has taken place and has been legally recorded. After the wedding ceremony, the officiant and the witnesses sign the marriage license and return it to the issuing County Register of Deeds Office, which issues the marriage certificate. North Carolina's marriage certificate includes the information of the couple, such as their legal names, marriage date and place, officiant information, witness information, date the marriage was recorded, and the official seal and signature of the Register of Deeds.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, marriage records are maintained by two primary agencies:

• The North Carolina Vital Records Office maintains marriage records from 1962 to the present
• The County Register of Deeds Offices hold marriage records for events that occurred within their respective counties

To order marriage records from 1962 to the present from the North Carolina Vital Records Office, complete the North Carolina Marriage Certificate form. You may order marriage records by mail or in person at:

Similarly, the County Register of Deeds Offices hold marriage records for events within their respective counties. Visit the office of the relevant county where the marriage license was originally issued. Fill out a Vital Records Request Form, available at the Register of Deeds Office. Some offices have the form on their official website. Marriage record requests may be submitted in person or by mail. In-person requests from the Register of Deeds office require scheduling an appointment.

All requests for marriage records may include relevant documents and supporting documentation, including:

• The legal names of the bride and groom
• Date of marriage
• County where the marriage license was issued
• Proof of relationship to the persons named on the marriage record
• A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID
• The fees

Are Marriage Records Public in North Carolina?

Yes. Marriage records are considered public records in North Carolina. Under the North Carolina Open Public Records Act, most documents created or maintained by state agencies, including marriage records, are public records unless they are specifically exempted by law. However, certified copies of the marriage records are accessible by the record holder, their immediate family members, including children, parents, siblings, and grandparents, and authorized legal representatives. The public may access informational copies of the marriage document.

Marriage records are generally accessible without a waiting period, unlike some states that require them to be held for certain periods before becoming publicly available.

How Much Do North Carolina Marriage Records Cost?

A certified marriage certificate typically costs $24 per copy when ordered through the North Carolina Vital Records Office. Each additional certified copy is usually charged at an extra $15. If you need the record faster, expedited processing is available for an additional fee of $15.

Birth records are also accessible at your county Register of Deeds Office. The Office provides uniform Recording fees across all counties in the state. Therefore, all certified copies of marriage records ordered from the Recorder of Deeds Offices in North Carolina cost $10. While County Recorders' Offices do not offer expedited services, if you need the record quickly, you may order the records in person. In-person requests are typically processed on the same day.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in North Carolina?

No. North Carolina marriage records are public records, and there is no legal provision to make them confidential or seal them. Once a marriage is recorded in North Carolina, copies of the record are available to anyone; the state's law does not provide a procedure to seal or make marriage records confidential.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of North Carolina Marriage Records?

Verifying the authenticity of a North Carolina marriage record is a crucial step for many legal and personal purposes. Generally, there are several reasons why you might want to verify that your marriage record is authentic, including for travel or immigration purposes, claiming tax benefits, processing insurance benefits, and confirming your Social Security records.

You may verify the authenticity of your North Carolina marriage records by visiting the appropriate county Register of Deeds office to request a certified copy of the marriage record and confirm its authenticity. Likewise, you may certify the authenticity of your marriage records at the state's Vital Records Office.

Certified marriage records typically contain the license number, issuing authority information, and an embossed or raised seal from the issuing authority. It also includes security elements such as watermarks and microprinting to prevent tampering or forgery.

Can I Find North Carolina Marriage Records Online for Free?

While obtaining an official certified copy typically incurs fees through the vital records office or county registers, there are multiple non-governmental sources available online where you can view or download marriage records at no cost.

FamilySearch.org has millions of records, including North Carolina marriage records, allowing users to search its database by county and date range, making it easy to access marriage records for free. You may also access free marriage records using the North Carolina State Archives. The state archives offer access to historical records, including marriage records. These records are available through online collections or digital repositories. Lastly, you may access marriage records through third-party platforms like PublicRecords.us.This site aggregates data from various public records sources, including marriage records. It provides basic information from indexed records for free.

What Is Required to Get a North Carolina Marriage License?

In North Carolina, obtaining a marriage license requires specific documentation and legal requirements, including:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
• Applicants aged 16 to 17 years old must provide parental consent
• Applicants aged 14 to 15 years old must provide a court order
• Be present at the court together
• The Social Security number of both applicants
• Provide an original or certified copy of a divorce decree or death certificate for persons previously married
• A valid photo identification of both parties
• The marriage license fee

The standard fee to obtain a marriage license across North Carolina's Register of Deeds Offices is $60. The state does not impose a waiting period after applying before the couple can get married. Once all required documentation is submitted and the license issued, the couple can get married immediately. The marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. If the marriage does not occur within the period, the marriage becomes invalid, and a new application is required.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in North Carolina?

Yes. You can amend your marriage records, marriage licenses, and certificates in North Carolina. Generally, you may amend clerical and typographical errors on marriage records. These errors are usually misspelled names, incorrect dates, and minor errors such as incorrect venue or location. Usually, all requests to amend marriage records must include supporting documentation to verify the correct information.

Amending North Carolina Marriage License

If you detect an error on your marriage license before the wedding, you can amend the marriage license. The couple can notify the county Register of Deeds. Usually, the Register of Deeds may correct minor or material errors. However, significant changes may require a court order. Some counties may require the completion of specific forms or affidavits to process the correction. Also, present valid identification and any supporting documents that verify the correct information.

Amending North Carolina Marriage Certificate

Amending North Carolina marriage certificates begins with contacting the Register of Deeds office in the county where the marriage license was originally issued. Amendments are usually limited to correcting factual errors present at the time of marriage. Any change to the marriage certificate that alters the fundamental details of the marriage may require legal proceedings.

To amend your marriage certificate in North Carolina, complete an amendment application form, typically available from the Register of Deeds Office. Provide valid identification and supporting documents verifying the correct information.

There is a standard fee for amending marriage certificates in North Carolina, which includes a copy of one certified copy of the corrected certificate. North Carolina counties charge $10 for a marriage license correction.