Search Burke County Marriage License

Burke County manages marriage license records at the Register of Deeds office in Morganton, North Carolina. The office is at 201 South Green Street, Suite 202. Marriage records in Burke County date from 1868 to the present. The county has a notable history: on April 17, 1865, Federal troops destroyed the courthouse during Stoneman's Raid, taking many early records with it. Despite this loss, the office maintains a strong collection from 1868 forward. Couples seeking a new marriage license and researchers looking for old records both use the Morganton office as their starting point.

Burke County Marriage License by Appointment

Marriage licenses in Burke County are issued by appointment only. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (828) 764-9340 or (828) 438-5450 to schedule. Both applicants must be present at the appointment.

Bring a valid driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Social Security cards are also required. Laminated or metal Social Security cards are not accepted. If you do not have a Social Security number, an affidavit is available at the office. Previously married applicants must bring certified divorce papers.

The fee is $60, payable by cash, money order, or credit card. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days in any North Carolina county. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-6, the officiant returns the signed license to the Burke County Register of Deeds within 10 days. Two witnesses must sign at the ceremony. An online marriage license application is available to get started before your visit.

Burke County Marriage Record Copies

Certified copies of marriage certificates from Burke County cost $10 each. Request them in person at the Morganton office during business hours. Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request with the full names of both parties, the marriage date, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $10 to: P.O. Box 1210, Morganton, NC 28655.

N.C.G.S. § 130A-93 limits who may receive certified copies. Eligible people include the parties named on the record, their spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and authorized legal representatives. Others may request uncertified copies for research. The office is open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. The fax number is (828) 438-5463.

Historical Marriage Records in Burke County

Burke County's record history is shaped by the events of April 17, 1865. During the Civil War, Federal cavalry under General Stoneman raided the courthouse in Morganton. The fire destroyed many deeds and records. Only about 90 wills survived. Court minutes, tax lists, and road records also made it through the blaze.

Marriage records from 1868 onward are intact at the Register of Deeds office. Birth and death records start from 1913 or earlier. The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh holds microfilm copies of important Burke County genealogical records. For records before 1868, the State Archives is the best place to look.

The Burke County Register of Deeds main page provides contact details and office information. Land records and real estate transactions from the county's formation are also on file, though some early deeds were lost in the 1865 fire.

Note: Researchers looking for pre-1865 Burke County records should plan to visit the State Archives, as the courthouse fire created significant gaps in local holdings.

Burke County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants need the following items for their appointment in Burke County:

• Valid photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Social Security card (no laminated or metal cards)
• Certified divorce papers if previously married
• Affidavit if no Social Security number is available
• $60 fee (cash, money order, or credit card)

Under N.C.G.S. § 51-2, the minimum age to marry without parental consent is 18. Those aged 16 to 17 need parental consent, and the age gap cannot exceed four years. No blood test or waiting period is required. The license takes effect the moment it is issued. N.C.G.S. § 51-8 requires the Register of Deeds to issue the license when all conditions are met.

State and Online Resources for Burke County

For statewide marriage certificates from 1962 onward, the NC Vital Records office in Raleigh is an option. The state charges $24 per three-year search. The marriage certificates page has ordering details. For records before 1962, the Burke County Register of Deeds is the primary source.

The Burke County Register of Deeds website provides office hours and service information. Visit the Burke County Register of Deeds for contact details and available services.

This is the central page for all Burke County recording and vital record services.

The online marriage license application saves time for couples applying in Burke County. Start the Burke County marriage license application before your appointment.

Complete this form ahead of your visit to speed up the process at the Morganton office.

The NCARD county finder locates any Register of Deeds in North Carolina. The FindLaw NC marriage statutes provide the legal framework that governs marriage licenses in Burke County and all 100 NC counties.

Contact Burke County Register of Deeds

The Burke County Register of Deeds is at 201 South Green Street, Suite 202, Morganton, NC 28655. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1210, Morganton, NC 28655. Call (828) 764-9340 or (828) 438-5450 during business hours. The fax number is (828) 438-5463. The office is open 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Marriage license appointments are available from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Make sure to call ahead to schedule your visit, as walk-in applications are not accepted. The staff can answer questions about the application process, required documents, and certified copy requests for Burke County marriage records.

Burke County is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Morganton is the county seat and provides convenient access to the courthouse for residents across the area. The county was formed in 1777 and has served the community for over two centuries. Despite the loss of early records in the 1865 courthouse fire, the office maintains a reliable collection from 1868 forward that supports both current applications and historical research.