Alexander County Marriage License

Alexander County maintains marriage license records at the Register of Deeds office in Taylorsville, North Carolina. Located at 75 1st Street SW, Suite 1, this small office serves the county's residents for all vital record needs. Marriage records in Alexander County date back to 1867, giving researchers a broad collection for genealogy and personal use. The county seat of Taylorsville is the only place in Alexander County where couples can apply for a marriage license. Staff at the office can help with both new applications and requests for copies of existing records.

Alexander County Marriage License Application

To get a marriage license in Alexander County, both parties must visit the Register of Deeds office together. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, typically from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You will need a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 51, the Register of Deeds is the only official who can issue a marriage license in each county.

The license fee is $60. This is set by state law and applies across all 100 counties in North Carolina. Once issued, the license is good for 60 days and can be used for a ceremony anywhere in the state. After the wedding, the signed license must be returned to the Alexander County Register of Deeds within 10 days per N.C.G.S. § 51-6. Two witnesses are required at the ceremony.

If you have been married before, you must provide the month and year your last marriage ended. A certified divorce decree is needed if the divorce happened within the past 30 days. Those aged 16 to 17 need parental consent under N.C.G.S. § 51-2, and the age gap between the parties must not exceed four years.

Alexander County Marriage Record Archives

Alexander County holds marriage records from 1867 to the present. Birth and death records go back to 1913, and land records date to 1833. These records are kept at the Register of Deeds office in Taylorsville. For historical research, the county also has marriage bonds from the 1859 to 1868 period and marriage registers from 1867 through 1974.

The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds additional historical records for Alexander County. Microfilm copies of marriage registers and other genealogical records are available there. The FamilySearch website also has digitized records for Alexander County that researchers can browse from home. These resources cover marriage bonds, registers, and other vital records spanning more than a century.

Note: For records before Alexander County was formed, check the parent county records, as some early documents may be stored elsewhere.

Getting Copies of Alexander County Marriage Records

Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each in Alexander County. You can request them in person at the Register of Deeds office or by mail. Mail requests should include a check or money order for the fee, a copy of your photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send your request to 75 1st Street SW, Suite 1, Taylorsville, NC 28681.

Under N.C.G.S. § 130A-93, certified copies are only available to certain people. This includes the people named on the record, their close family members, and authorized legal representatives. Anyone else may request an uncertified copy for research or reference. The Alexander County office can tell you which type of copy you qualify for when you contact them.

You can reach the office by phone at (828) 632-3152 or by fax at (828) 632-1119. Online document searches are also available through the NC Public Records Directory for some Alexander County recorded documents.

Marriage License Steps for Alexander County

Here is what to expect when you apply for a marriage license in Alexander County:

• Visit the Register of Deeds office at 75 1st Street SW, Suite 1, Taylorsville
• Bring valid photo ID and Social Security number for both parties
• Pay the $60 license fee
• Receive the license the same day
• Hold the ceremony within 60 days anywhere in North Carolina
• Return the signed license within 10 days of the wedding

The process is straightforward. There is no waiting period or blood test required in North Carolina. N.C.G.S. § 51-8 requires the Register of Deeds to issue the license once all legal requirements are met. The Alexander County office processes applications during regular business hours on weekdays only.

State Resources for Alexander County Records

If you need a marriage certificate from 1962 or later, you have a second option. The NC Vital Records office in Raleigh keeps statewide marriage certificates from that year forward. The state charges $24 per three-year search period. This fee is not refundable, even if no record is found. For records before 1962, the Alexander County Register of Deeds is the sole source.

The NC Vital Records marriage page explains how to order certificates through the state. You can also use the NCARD county finder to look up contact details for any Register of Deeds office in North Carolina. This tool is useful when you are not sure which county holds the record you need.

The North Carolina Vital Records homepage provides details on ordering marriage certificates at the state level. Visit the NC Vital Records portal for current processing times and fees.

State-level orders may take several months to process due to high demand from REAL ID requirements.

The state marriage certificates page covers eligibility and ordering details. View the NC marriage certificates page for specifics on what records are available.

This page explains the $24 search fee and outlines who qualifies for a certified copy under state law.

The NCARD county finder helps you locate the Register of Deeds for Alexander County or any other county. Use the county finder tool to get direct contact information.

Each county listing includes the office address, phone number, and website link.

Alexander County Marriage License Laws

North Carolina law governs how marriage licenses work in Alexander County. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-1, both parties must have the legal capacity to marry. The state sets the minimum age at 16 with parental consent, and 18 without restrictions. N.C.G.S. § 51-6 requires a valid license before any ceremony takes place, and two witnesses must be present to sign it.

The Article 1 statutes on marriage capacity spell out age and eligibility rules. The Article 2 statutes on marriage licenses cover the process from application through return of the signed license. These laws apply equally to every county in the state, including Alexander County.

After the ceremony, the officiant is responsible for making sure the license gets back to the Register of Deeds. If this does not happen within 10 days, there can be delays in filing the official marriage record. Couples should follow up with their officiant to confirm the license was returned on time.

Note: Alexander County does not require an appointment for marriage license applications, but calling ahead at (828) 632-3152 to confirm availability is a good idea.