Beaufort County Marriage License

Beaufort County maintains marriage license records at the Register of Deeds office in Washington, North Carolina. Carolyn L. Garris serves as the Register of Deeds. The office at 112 West 2nd Street stores marriage records from the county's formation through the present day. Washington is the county seat and the only location in Beaufort County where couples can apply for a marriage license. The office also offers online record searches and certified copies of marriage certificates. Residents, researchers, and legal professionals use these records for a wide range of personal and official purposes.

Getting a Marriage License in Beaufort County

To get a marriage license in Beaufort County, both parties must appear in person at the Register of Deeds office. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but marriage licenses are issued between 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM. Plan to arrive well before the 3:30 PM cutoff. Bring valid photo identification and your Social Security number or an affidavit if you do not have one.

The fee is $60. This is set by North Carolina law and is the same in all 100 counties. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days. You can hold your ceremony anywhere in the state. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-6, the officiant must return the signed license to the Beaufort County Register of Deeds within 10 days. Two witnesses are required at the ceremony.

If you were previously married, provide proof that the marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate is needed if the prior marriage ended within the past year. N.C.G.S. § 51-8 requires the Register of Deeds to issue the license when all legal requirements under Chapter 51 are met.

Beaufort County Marriage Certificate Copies

Certified copies of marriage certificates from Beaufort County cost $10 each. You can request them in person at the Register of Deeds office in Washington. Mail requests are also accepted. Include a written request with the full names of both parties, the date of the marriage, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $10.

Under N.C.G.S. § 130A-93, certified copies are limited to eligible people. This includes the people named on the record, their spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and authorized legal representatives. Anyone else may request an uncertified copy for research purposes. Call (252) 946-2323 or fax (252) 946-7938 to ask about your eligibility before submitting a request.

Note: The recording cutoff time is 4:45 PM, so arrive early if you need same-day processing for any document.

Search Beaufort County Marriage Records Online

Beaufort County offers online access to recorded documents through the Beaufort County online records portal. This site lets you search real estate indexes, historical indexes, maps, and vital records indexes. While full images of vital records may not be available online, the indexes help narrow down your search before contacting the office.

The Beaufort County Register of Deeds main page provides office hours, contact information, and details on all services. For marriage license requirements, the Beaufort County DSS marriage page offers specific guidance on what documents to bring and how the process works.

Genealogy researchers can use the online system to search for historical marriage records. The office staff also assist with in-person genealogy searches during business hours. Beaufort County's marriage record collection spans from the county's formation to the current day, providing a deep archive for family history research.

Beaufort County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants need the following to apply for a marriage license in Beaufort County:

• Valid photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Social Security number or signed affidavit
• Proof of divorce or death certificate if previously married
• $60 fee

N.C.G.S. § 51-2 sets the age rules. Adults 18 and older can apply without parental consent. Those aged 16 to 17 need parental consent, and the age gap cannot exceed four years. No one under 16 may marry in Beaufort County or anywhere in North Carolina. There is no blood test or waiting period.

The Beaufort County Register of Deeds website provides an overview of all office services. Visit the Beaufort County Register of Deeds for the latest contact information.

This page lists the office address, phone number, and links to vital record services.

The Beaufort County online records system allows public searches of recorded documents. Access the Beaufort County online records portal to search indexes.

This tool includes real estate, vital records, and historical document indexes for Beaufort County.

State Resources for Beaufort County Marriage Records

The NC Vital Records office in Raleigh holds statewide marriage certificates from 1962 to the present. The state charges a $24 search fee per three-year period. This fee is not refundable. For records before 1962, the Beaufort County Register of Deeds is the only source.

The NC marriage certificates page explains the state ordering process. You can also check the NCARD county finder to locate any Register of Deeds in the state. The North Carolina State Archives has historical marriage records for genealogical research that go beyond what the county office holds.

Contact the Beaufort County office at (252) 946-2323 or email carolyn.garris@beaufortcountync.gov for help with any marriage record request. The staff can guide you to the right resource based on the date and type of record you need.

Beaufort County was formed in 1712 and is one of the oldest counties in North Carolina. Washington, the county seat, sits along the Pamlico River in the eastern part of the state. The county holds a deep collection of marriage records and other vital documents spanning centuries. The Register of Deeds office at 112 West 2nd Street serves residents and researchers looking for marriage records, birth certificates, death certificates, and land documents. Whether you are planning a wedding or tracing family history in eastern North Carolina, the Beaufort County office is a reliable starting point for your search. The fax number for the office is (252) 946-7938, and mail requests are accepted at 112 West 2nd Street, Washington, NC 27889.