Find Brunswick County Marriage License

Brunswick County handles marriage license records through the Register of Deeds office in Bolivia, North Carolina. Dana Varnam serves as Register of Deeds. The office is in Building I at 75 Courthouse Drive. Brunswick County is a fast-growing coastal county, and the Bolivia office processes a high volume of marriage license applications each year. Marriage records date back to November 23, 1867. Whether you plan to marry at the beach or need a copy of a past record, the Brunswick County Register of Deeds can help. The office also provides online record searches and accepts orders for certified copies by mail and online.

Brunswick County Marriage License Application

An appointment is required for marriage license applications in Brunswick County. Call (910) 253-2690 or email the office to schedule a time. Both parties must appear in person with valid identification. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The fee is $60. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days and can be used for a ceremony anywhere in North Carolina. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-6, the officiant must return the signed license to the Brunswick County Register of Deeds within 10 days of the ceremony. Two witnesses must sign the license during the wedding. N.C.G.S. § 51-8 requires the Register of Deeds to issue the license when all legal conditions are satisfied.

Full details are on the Brunswick County marriages page. The main Register of Deeds page has office hours and contact information.

Marriage Certificate Copies in Brunswick County

Certified copies of marriage licenses from Brunswick County cost $10 each. Uncertified copies are $0.25 per page. You can get copies in person, by mail, or online. The Brunswick County fee page lists all costs.

For in-person requests, visit the office at 75 Courthouse Drive, Building I, in Bolivia. You will need a government-issued picture ID. The office accepts cash, money orders, and certified checks at the counter. Personal checks and credit or debit cards are not accepted for in-person transactions.

For mail requests, complete the Application For Certified Copy form. Include $10 per record as a cashier's check or money order. Add a copy of your driver's license or government-issued ID and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to: BCROD, P.O. Box 87, Bolivia, NC 28422. Under N.C.G.S. § 130A-93, only eligible people may receive certified copies.

Online ordering is also available. Orders received by 4:00 PM are processed the same business day. A $1 mailing fee and $2 convenience fee apply per copy.

Note: The toll-free number for the Brunswick County Register of Deeds is 1-877-625-9310, which is useful for out-of-state callers.

Brunswick County Marriage Record History

Brunswick County has marriage records from November 23, 1867. Birth records start from 1913, with some limited delayed births from 1876 to 1913. Death records begin in October 1913. These records are maintained by the Register of Deeds in Bolivia.

Online indexes are viewable through the Brunswick County online records system. Note that images of vital records are not available online. The indexes are useful for confirming that a record exists before requesting a certified copy. The Brunswick County vital records page explains what records are on file and how to request them.

The North Carolina State Archives holds additional historical records for Brunswick County on microfilm. Genealogists tracing family ties in the coastal region can find marriage records, land records, and other documents there.

Brunswick County Marriage License Rules

North Carolina law sets the rules for marriage licenses in Brunswick County. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-1, both parties must have the legal capacity to marry. N.C.G.S. § 51-2 sets the minimum age at 18 without parental consent. Those aged 16 to 17 can marry with parental consent, provided the age difference does not exceed four years. No one under 16 may marry.

There is no blood test or waiting period. The license is effective the moment it is issued. Previously married applicants must provide proof that their prior marriage ended. The FindLaw NC Chapter 51 reference covers all the statutes that apply to marriage in Brunswick County and the rest of North Carolina.

The Brunswick County Register of Deeds website provides office details and service information. Visit the Brunswick County Register of Deeds for the latest hours and contact details.

This page is the main hub for all recording and vital record services in Brunswick County.

The marriages page on the Brunswick County website covers the application process and requirements. Review Brunswick County marriage license details before scheduling your appointment.

Appointment details, ID requirements, and fees are listed on this page.

The online records search system for Brunswick County allows public access to recorded document indexes. Search Brunswick County recorded documents online.

While vital record images are not viewable, the indexes help confirm record availability before making a request.

Contact Brunswick County Register of Deeds

Reach the Brunswick County Register of Deeds at Building I, 75 Courthouse Drive, Bolivia, NC 28422. The mailing address is P.O. Box 87, Bolivia, NC 28422. Call (910) 253-2690 or the toll-free line at 1-877-625-9310. The fax number is (910) 253-2703. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

For statewide marriage certificates from 1962 onward, the NC Vital Records office charges $24 per three-year search. The NCARD county finder can help you locate any Register of Deeds office in North Carolina.

Brunswick County is one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina, stretching along the coast south of Wilmington. The county includes popular beach communities such as Oak Island, Sunset Beach, and Ocean Isle Beach. Many couples choose Brunswick County for destination weddings along the coast. Bolivia, the county seat, is a small inland town where the government offices are located. The Register of Deeds office handles a high volume of marriage license applications each year, especially during the warmer months when beach weddings are in demand. Whether you are a local resident or visiting for a wedding, the Brunswick County office provides efficient and friendly service for all marriage license and vital record needs.