Anson County Marriage License Records
Anson County keeps marriage license records at the Register of Deeds office in Wadesboro, North Carolina. The office at 101 South Greene Street, Suite 131, stores marriage records from 1870 to the present. Anson County has a rich history, but a courthouse fire in 1868 caused gaps in some early records. Despite this, the county holds marriage bonds going as far back as 1762. Researchers and residents alike can access these records for personal, legal, or genealogical use. The Wadesboro office is the starting point for anyone who needs a marriage license or a copy of an existing marriage record from Anson County.
Anson County Marriage License Application
Both people who plan to marry must visit the Anson County Register of Deeds in person. Bring a valid driver's license or picture ID. Your Social Security number is also required. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. N.C.G.S. § 51-8 requires the Register of Deeds to issue a marriage license once all conditions under state law are satisfied.
The fee for a marriage license is $60. This is the same in every North Carolina county. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. Couples can use it anywhere in the state. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Anson County office within 10 days. Two witnesses must be present and sign the license, as stated in N.C.G.S. § 51-6.
There is no waiting period and no blood test. If either person was married before, provide the month and year the prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree is needed if the divorce was within the past 30 days. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-2, applicants must be at least 18 to marry without parental consent. Those aged 16 or 17 need written parental consent and must meet additional requirements.
Anson County Marriage Certificate Copies
Certified copies of marriage certificates from Anson County cost $10 each, payable in cash. You can request copies in person at the Register of Deeds office. For mail requests, send a written letter with the full names of both parties, the date of the marriage, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order or cashier's check for $10. Mail it to 101 S. Greene Street, Suite 131, Wadesboro, NC 28170.
The vital records phone line at (704) 994-3005 can answer questions about the request process. The main office number is (704) 994-3209. Under N.C.G.S. § 130A-93, only eligible people may receive certified copies. This includes the persons named on the record, their spouses, parents, siblings, children, grandparents, and legal representatives.
Online ordering is also available for birth, death, and marriage certificates from Anson County. Identification verification is part of the online process.
Historical Marriage Records in Anson County
Anson County has a complicated record history. A courthouse fire in 1868 destroyed many documents. Despite this, the county holds marriage records from 1870 onward. Marriage bonds are available from as early as 1762, with records spanning 1762 through 1979. These bonds provide a window into the earliest marriages in the region.
The North Carolina State Archives holds additional Anson County records. FamilySearch has digitized marriage records from 1869 to 1979 and marriage bonds from 1762 to 1979. These online collections are free to search and provide a strong starting point for anyone tracing Anson County ancestry.
Birth and death records at the Anson County Register of Deeds begin in October 1913. For records before that date, the State Archives is the best resource. The FindLaw reference for NC Chapter 51 outlines the legal framework that has governed marriage in the state for generations.
Note: Due to the 1868 fire, some gaps exist in Anson County records from that era, so researchers may need to check multiple sources.
Anson County Marriage License at a Glance
Here are the key facts about getting a marriage license in Anson County:
- Fee: $60, payable at the Register of Deeds office
- Both parties must appear with valid photo ID
- Social Security number required
- License valid for 60 days statewide
- No blood test or waiting period
- Certified copy of marriage certificate: $10 cash
The Anson County Register of Deeds follows the same rules as every other county in North Carolina. The office is located on the first floor of the county building in Wadesboro. Call (704) 994-3209 or fax (704) 994-3238 if you have questions before your visit.
State-Level Marriage License Resources
For marriage certificates from 1962 or later, you can also order through the NC Vital Records office in Raleigh. The state charges $24 per three-year search period. The marriage certificates page explains the ordering process and eligibility rules. Processing times at the state level can be lengthy due to high demand.
The Anson County Register of Deeds website provides information about office services and vital record requests. Visit the Anson County Register of Deeds for contact details and hours.
The office handles marriage licenses, certified copies, and other vital record services for Anson County residents.
The NCARD county finder helps locate any Register of Deeds in the state. This is helpful when records may be split across counties due to boundary changes or courthouse fires. The NC marriage license statutes detail the legal requirements for issuing and returning a marriage license in all 100 counties.
Anson County was formed in 1750 and is one of the older counties in the state. Wadesboro, the county seat, sits in the south-central part of North Carolina near the South Carolina border. Despite the 1868 courthouse fire, the county has rebuilt its record collection over the decades. The Register of Deeds office on South Greene Street serves as the central hub for marriage licenses, certified copies, and all vital record needs in the county. Staff can help direct you to the right resource based on the date and type of record you need. For those searching from outside the area, the office accepts mail requests and can answer questions by phone at (704) 994-3209.