Caswell County Marriage License
Caswell County handles marriage license records at the Register of Deeds office in Yanceyville, North Carolina. Ginny S. Mitchell serves as the Register of Deeds. The office is at 139 East Church Street and holds marriage records along with historical marriage bonds dating back to 1778. Caswell County sits along the Virginia border and has a deep history. The Yanceyville office issues new marriage licenses, provides certified copies, and supports genealogical research. Caswell County has a long history along the Virginia border, and the Register of Deeds is the central resource for anyone seeking marriage records in the area.
Getting a Caswell County Marriage License
Both applicants must present identification at the Caswell County Register of Deeds office in Yanceyville. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Marriage licenses are issued from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Arrive before 4:30 PM for any other vital record request.
The fee is $60. Cash only is accepted. This is an important difference from many other North Carolina counties that also take checks or credit cards. The license is valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in the state. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-6, the officiant must return the signed license to the Caswell County office within 10 days. Two witnesses are required at the ceremony.
Caswell County has specific ID rules based on age. Applicants 21 and older need a current driver's license, picture ID, passport, INS registration card, or certified birth certificate. Those aged 18 to 21 must provide a copy of their birth certificate as ID. Applicants aged 16 to 17 need both written parental consent and certified birth certificate copies. The Caswell County marriage licenses page has full details.
Caswell County Marriage License ID Rules
Social Security number verification is required for all applicants. Acceptable proof includes a Social Security card, W-2 form, or pay stub. If you do not have a Social Security number, a notarized affidavit is available at the office. If you were previously married, provide the date of divorce or death of your former spouse. A copy of the divorce decree is required if there was a prior divorce.
Under N.C.G.S. § 51-2, the minimum age to marry without parental consent is 18. Those aged 16 to 17 can marry with written consent. No one under 16 may marry in Caswell County or anywhere else in North Carolina. N.C.G.S. § 51-8 requires the Register of Deeds to issue the license when all legal conditions are satisfied.
Note: Cash is the only accepted payment for the $60 marriage license fee in Caswell County, so bring exact change or bills to the office.
Caswell County Marriage Certificate Copies
Certified copies from Caswell County cost $10 each. Non-certified copies are $0.50 each. The office does not accept personal checks. Only checks from attorneys are accepted. For mail orders, send a money order to: Ginny S. Mitchell, Register of Deeds, Caswell County, P.O. Box 98, 139 E. Church St., Yanceyville, NC 27379. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a copy of your photo ID.
Under N.C.G.S. § 130A-93, only eligible people may receive certified copies. This includes the named parties, their spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and authorized legal representatives. The Caswell County vital records page has details on the request process. The FAQ page answers common questions about fees and procedures.
Historical Marriage Records in Caswell County
Caswell County has a remarkable historical record collection. Marriage bonds date from 1778 to 1868, as documented in Katharine Kerr Kendall's publication. Deed books cover 1777 to 1840. Will books span 1777 to 1868. The North Carolina State Archives holds microfilm copies of these and other Caswell County records.
Birth and death records at the county office begin in 1913. The office staff can assist with genealogy searches during business hours. For researchers studying colonial-era North Carolina, the Caswell County marriage bond collection is a significant resource. These bonds often include the names of the bride, groom, and a bondsman, providing useful details for family history work.
The alternative Caswell County Register of Deeds website may have additional information. Contact the office at (336) 694-4197 or fax (336) 694-7848 for help with specific research questions. Email inquiries can go to gmitchell@caswellcountync.gov.
Search Caswell County Marriage Records
Caswell County offers online tools through its website. The vital records section lets you submit requests, and the FAQ page answers procedural questions. For in-person research, visit the Yanceyville office during business hours.
The Caswell County Register of Deeds homepage provides an overview of office services. Visit the Caswell County Register of Deeds for contact information and links.
This site covers marriage licenses, vital records, and other recording services for Caswell County.
The marriage licenses page details the specific requirements for applying in Caswell County. Review Caswell County marriage license requirements before your visit.
This page lists the age-specific ID rules, Social Security verification requirements, and the cash-only payment policy.
The vital records request page explains how to get certified copies of Caswell County marriage certificates. Access the Caswell County vital records request page for forms and instructions.
Certified and non-certified copies are available through this office by mail or in person.
Caswell County Magistrate and State Resources
Couples who want a magistrate ceremony in Caswell County can call (336) 459-4019 for information about scheduling and fees. The magistrate can perform the ceremony once you have the marriage license in hand.
For statewide marriage certificates from 1962 onward, the NC Vital Records office charges $24 per three-year search. The NCARD county finder locates any Register of Deeds in the state. The FindLaw NC marriage statutes provide the legal framework that applies in Caswell County and all 100 NC counties.
Caswell County was formed in 1777 and is named after Richard Caswell, the first governor of North Carolina. Yanceyville, the county seat, sits along the Virginia border and has a long history that predates the American Revolution. The county's marriage bond collection from 1778 is one of the oldest in the state. Researchers studying colonial and early American families in north-central North Carolina will find the Caswell County office and the State Archives both helpful for locating historical marriage records.