Franklin County Marriage License Information
Franklin County marriage license records are managed by the Register of Deeds in Louisburg, North Carolina. The Register, Brandi Smith Brinson, oversees marriage license applications, certified copies, and all vital records. Franklin County has marriage certificates from 1869 and a bond book that goes back to 1779. The office at 113 S. Main Street serves the entire county. This guide explains how to get a marriage license, what to bring, and how to order certified copies in Franklin County.
Apply for a Franklin County Marriage License
Go to the Register of Deeds at 113 S. Main Street, Louisburg, NC 27549. The office is in the Hamilton Hobgood Courthouse Annex. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Both people must appear in person. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security number.
If you are under 21, bring a certified birth certificate. If you were married before, you need a divorce decree or death certificate for your former spouse. The Franklin County marriage license requirements page has the full list. Under Section 51-6, a valid license is required before any ceremony in North Carolina.
Franklin County Marriage License Fees
The fee is $60. Franklin County accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. The license is valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in North Carolina. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Franklin County Register of Deeds within 10 days.
Certified copies cost $10 each. You can order them in person, by mail, or online through Permitium. The county can also issue birth and death certificates from across the state. Out-of-county births go back to 1971, and deaths go back to 2020.
Note: Mail requests should go to P.O. Box 545, Louisburg, NC 27549 with a signed request, payment, and a copy of your ID.
Franklin County Marriage Records History
Franklin County has a rich records history. Marriage certificates go back to 1869, and the bond book extends to 1779. Birth and death records start in 1913. Land records go back to 1776. This makes Franklin County a strong resource for genealogy and family research.
The Franklin County vital records page explains what records are available. For older records, the NC State Archives in Raleigh holds historical documents on microfilm. The NC Vital Records office has marriage records from 1962 to the present for all counties.
Franklin County Marriage License Images
The screenshot below is from the Franklin County Register of Deeds page.
The county website provides links to vital records, marriage license requirements, and contact information.
Below is the Franklin County marriage license requirements page.
This page lists every document and step needed to get a marriage license in Franklin County.
The following image shows the Franklin County online ordering system.
Use this system to order certified copies of Franklin County marriage records from home.
Age and Consent Rules in Franklin County
Under Section 51-2, you must be 18 to marry without parental consent. Those 16 or 17 can marry with written consent from a parent or guardian. The other person cannot be more than four years older. People under 16 generally cannot marry in North Carolina. The Register of Deeds will check all documents before issuing a license.
Franklin County Marriage Officiant Rules
North Carolina law allows ordained ministers, magistrates, and federally recognized tribal officials to perform marriages. The officiant must sign the marriage license after the ceremony and return it to the Franklin County Register of Deeds within 10 days. Until the license is returned and filed, the record is not complete. Under Section 51-1, both parties must meet all legal requirements before the ceremony.
Franklin County has a range of wedding venues. Rural farms, historic homes, and scenic spots along the Tar River are popular choices. The marriage license is valid at any location in North Carolina for 60 days from the date of issue.
Franklin County Marriage License State Resources
The image below is from the NC Vital Records homepage, the state portal for all vital records including marriage.
This state website explains how marriage records are managed across North Carolina, including how to request certified copies from any county.
About Louisburg and Franklin County
Louisburg is the county seat of Franklin County. It is about 30 miles northeast of Raleigh. The town is home to Louisburg College, one of the oldest two-year colleges in the country. Franklin County has a mix of rural character and growing suburban areas as the Raleigh metro expands northward. The Tar River flows through the county, adding to its scenic quality.
The Register of Deeds office on S. Main Street is easy to find in downtown Louisburg. The phone number is (919) 496-3500, the fax is (919) 496-1457, and the email is bdavis@franklincounty.nc.us. The Franklin County Register of Deeds website is a helpful starting point. You can also use the NC county finder to look up any Register of Deeds in the state.
Under Section 51-8, the Register of Deeds is the sole authority for issuing marriage licenses in every North Carolina county, including Franklin. The office handles a steady volume of requests throughout the year. Staff members are knowledgeable and can walk you through the entire process from start to finish. Whether you are a Franklin County resident or visiting from elsewhere, the experience is designed to be simple and efficient. Franklin County land records go back to 1776, and the marriage bond book extends to 1779, offering one of the deeper archives in the region for family history and genealogy work.