What Are North Carolina Marriage Records?

North Carolina began keeping official marriage records in 1867 to provide a system for documenting unions within the state. Marriage records in North Carolina are official accounts of marriage events that document essential details about the couple and their union. These records are preserved and issued by authorized entities.

Marriage records cover various types of documents, with the two most common being marriage licenses and marriage certificates.

• Marriage License: This is obtained before the wedding and grants permission for the couple to marry.
• Marriage Certificate: This is an official document issued after the marriage ceremony that proves the marriage took place.

Marriage records typically include the following information:

• Names of the couple
• Dates and location of the marriage
• Ages and birthplaces of the spouses
• Names of witnesses and officiants
• Information about previous marriages, if applicable

Accessing marriage records is important for several reasons. They serve as legal proof of marital status, which is required for activities such as updating identification, changing names, or resolving legal disputes.

Are Marriage Certificates Public Records?

In North Carolina, marriage records, including marriage certificates, are generally regarded as public records under the North Carolina Public Records Law. However, access to marriage records is subject to certain restrictions to protect individual privacy and sensitive information.

For certified copies of marriage certificates, access is restricted to specific individuals as outlined under North Carolina General Statues Chapter 130A-93 to prevent identity theft or misuse. Those who can legally request a certified copy include:

• The married couple
• Immediate family members (e.g., parents, siblings, children)
• Authorized legal representatives (such as attorneys or legal guardians)
• Individuals presenting a court order granting access

While marriage certificates are considered public, the law requires the redaction of sensitive personal information to protect privacy. Publicly available records may have the following details redacted or omitted:

• Social Security numbers
• Any data deemed confidential by state or federal law

The information generally available in public records includes:

• Names of the spouses
• Date and location of the marriage
• Names of witnesses and officiants

How To Look Up Marriage Records in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, marriage records are maintained by specific government agencies responsible for recording and issuing copies of these vital records. These agencies include the following:

• North Carolina Vital Records Office (VRO): Maintains marriage certificates recorded from 1962 to the present.
• County Register of Deeds Office (ROD): Responsible for marriage records before 1962 and provides access to both marriage licenses and certificates.

The process of looking up marriage records generally requires individuals to submit the required information and forms to the specific agency and pay associated fees.

How To Search Marriage Certificates?

Marriage certificates are official documents used to prove a marriage occurred. They are available in two forms:

• Certified Copies: Authorized for legal purposes, such as name changes or insurance claims.
• Informational Copies: Cannot be used for official purposes and typically have limited details.

The specific steps to search for and obtain marriage certificates in North Carolina can vary, but they generally require individuals to complete forms and pay specific fees, depending on the agency and county.

Here is a specific breakdown of the methods available:

Through the NC Vital Records Office

Individuals can request certified copies of their marriage certificates at the Vital Records Office (VRO) of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). There are several methods requesters can do:

Online

The online request is done through the VitalChek portal, an independent service that charges a processing fee. It accepts all major credit cards, including American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and VISA, as well as personal checks.

When making a payment, individuals are required to provide their credit card number and expiration date. Additionally, they must supply all necessary certificate information along with a valid street address for delivery, as APO, FPO, and PO Boxes are not accepted.

Individuals will have to pay $37.95 for regular shipping and wait 3 months to receive their marriage certificate. Keep in mind that this is only for certificates from 1962 to the present. Older marriage certificates may incur longer waiting times.

For those selecting the UPS overnight option, an individual must be available at the specified address to sign for receipt of the document(s). They must also pay an additional $20.

In Person

Those who want to make a request in person at the VRO must do so by appointment. To make an appointment, individuals can use the agency's dedicated Appointments Calendar. Individuals must also remember the following points:

• The last appointment is at 2:30 p.m., and each appointment lasts 30 minutes.
• The fee for each certificate search is $24, but individuals can opt for expedited processing for an additional $15.

By Phone

Individuals can also request their marriage certificates by phone through VitalChek. For domestic searches, they must call 1-800-669-8310. If the requester is outside the U.S., they can call 1-615-372-6800. The fees are the same as when ordering through VitalChek online.

By Mail

To request a marriage certificate by mail, individuals can follow these steps:

• Fill out, print, and sign the Application for a Copy of a North Carolina Marriage Certificate.
• Prepare the payment of $37.95 for the first copy of the certificate and $15 for each additional copy. Payment can be made via personal check, credit card, or money order.
• Mail the application form and payment to:

If no records are found, the requester will receive the notification letter. The fees they already paid are nonrefundable.

Through Local Register of Deeds (ROD)

Alternatively, individuals can request copies of their marriage certificates at the Register of Deeds (ROD) office in the county where the marriage occurred. The specific steps may vary per county but will generally include the following:

• Find the specific ROD Office.
• Contact the identified ROD to check if they require an appointment. For example, the Orange County ROD requires individuals to call 919-245-2700.
• Go to the identified ROD office on the date appointed.
• Complete the appropriate request forms and pay the associated fees.
• Wait for the processing time to receive the marriage certificate.

Individuals can also check if the ROD allows online requests. For example, the Orange County ROD allows online requests through its dedicated Online Requests portal.

How To Search Marriage Licenses?

Marriage licenses are issued before a couple marries and confirms the intent to wed. They are kept by the ROD in the county where the license was issued.

Though the steps may vary per county ROD, here are some general steps requesters can follow:

• Search for the ROD office and set an appointment if required.
• Go to the location and complete the required forms with the necessary details, such as:
  • Name of both spouses
  • Date of marriage
  • The county that issued the license
• Pay the associated fees and wait for the processing.

Other counties may offer online tools or mail-in options for requesting a marriage license copy. For example, the Durham County Register of Deeds allows users to search marriage records (may include licenses) online and print uncertified copies through their website. It's important to check the specific county's website for their available methods, fees, and processing times.

How To Search Marriage Records Online?

In addition to the VitalChek endorsed by the Vital Records Office and online services of some county Register of Deeds offices, several online options exist for searching North Carolina marriage records. These include the following:

• State Archives and genealogical societies like the State Archives of North Carolina. The State Archives keeps copies of marriages before 1868.
• Commercial record retrieval services like RecordsFinder and other third-party public record databases.

While these platforms do not provide certified copies, they can confirm marriages and offer basic details. Users typically need the couple's names and marriage details to search, and some services may charge fees. These resources are particularly useful for preliminary searches and genealogical research.

When Can You Access Confidential Marriage Records?

North Carolina does not offer confidential marriages. This means that all legally recognized marriages in the state require a publicly recorded marriage license.

Unlike some states that allow couples to keep their marriage records private for personal or legal reasons, North Carolina marriage records are publicly accessible. However, certain details, such as Social Security Numbers, may be redacted to protect sensitive information.

While marriage records are public, certified copies of marriage certificates are only available to the following:

• The couple
• Immediate family members
• Legal representatives
• Individuals with a court order

In rare cases where a record has been sealed through legal action, access requires a formal request to a North Carolina court. This will require a valid reason for unsealing it.

How Do You Apply for a Marriage License?

To legally marry in North Carolina, couples must obtain a marriage license from the Register of Deeds Office in the county where they plan to wed. They must also meet the following:

Identification Required

Both applicants must present proof of identity, such as a valid government-issued photo ID. Additionally, they may need to provide proof of Social Security Numbers or a sworn affidavit if they do not have one.

Age Requirements

The minimum legal age to marry in North Carolina is 18 without parental consent. Minors aged 16-17 may marry with written parental consent from a legal guardian or parent. The person they marry must also be no more than four years older. Anyone below 16 cannot get married in the state.

Residency Requirement

North Carolina does not have a residency requirement. Couples from any state or country can apply for a marriage license and get married within the state.

Blood Test

North Carolina does not require blood tests or medical exams for marriage license applicants.

Proxy Marriage

Proxy marriage is not permitted in North Carolina. Both applicants must be physically present to apply for a marriage license and participate in the ceremony.

License Validity

A marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. If the couple does not marry within this period, they must apply for a new license and pay the applicable fee again.

Waiting Period

North Carolina does not impose a waiting period. Once a marriage license is issued, couples can marry immediately.

Officiants and Witnesses

In North Carolina, marriage ceremonies can be performed by ordained ministers, judges, and magistrates. At least two witnesses must be present at the ceremony and sign the marriage license.

How Do I Correct a Mistake on My Marriage Certificate?

In North Carolina, errors on a marriage license or marriage certificate can be corrected by submitting a request to the Register of Deeds Office (RDO) in the county where the marriage license was issued. The Vital Records Office does not handle changes to marriage certificates, only corrections to birth and death certificates.

Common errors include the following:

• Spelling mistakes
• Incorrect dates
• Inaccurate personal details

To request a correction, applicants must:

• Complete a correction request form.
• Provide valid identification.
• Submit supporting documents such as birth certificates or affidavits.

Minor clerical errors can often be corrected by the ROD, while significant changes may require a court order. Fees and processing time can vary per county RDO.

Are Marriage Records Under the North Carolina Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) Accessible?

North Carolina's Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) is designed to protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking by concealing their real addresses from public records.

Administered by the North Carolina Department of Justice (NC DOJ), the program provides participants with a substitute mailing address to use for official documents, helping them maintain safety and privacy.

Individuals enrolled in the ACP can use the substitute address when applying for a marriage license, preventing their residential information from becoming public.

However, their marriage records are not entirely confidential. The marriage itself remains a public record, but sensitive details, such as their actual address, are shielded. Access to these protected records is restricted and only available to law enforcement, government agencies, or through a court order.

North Carolina Marriage Statistics and Trends

As of 2019, 53% of U.S. adults aged 18 and older were married, a decline from 58% in 1995. Younger adults are delaying marriage, with only 18% of those under 30 married compared to 31% in 1995. Meanwhile, cohabitation has increased, with 7% of adults living with an unmarried partner, up from 3% in 1995

For North Carolina, check the table below for the breakdown.

Related Articles

What Different Types of Marriages Are There? 

What Is Civil Marriage: Pros and Cons