Marriage License in Haywood County
Haywood County lies in western North Carolina, surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. The county seat is Waynesville, a popular spot for destination weddings and outdoor ceremonies. The Haywood County Register of Deeds handles all marriage license applications and keeps records going back to 1808. The courthouse on North Main Street serves as the central hub for vital records and land recordings in the county. This page covers everything you need to know about applying for a marriage license, searching for old records, and getting certified copies in Haywood County.
Haywood County Marriage License Application
Visit the Haywood County Courthouse, Suite 213, at 215 North Main Street in Waynesville, NC 28786. Both people must come in together. Marriage license hours are 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM, Monday through Friday. The Register of Deeds, Sherri Rogers, and her staff handle all applications.
Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Your Social Security number is also required. Under North Carolina General Statute 51-6, no ceremony can take place without a valid license. There is no blood test and no waiting period. Your license is good right away and stays valid for 60 days. It can be used anywhere in the state.
Note: The office stops accepting marriage license applications at 4:15 PM, which is earlier than the general office closing time of 5:00 PM.
Haywood County Marriage License Fees
The fee is $60 for a new marriage license. Haywood County accepts cash, checks, and money orders. This is the standard state fee under North Carolina law. Certified copies of marriage records cost $10 each. The Register of Deeds office can issue copies in person or by mail.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Haywood County Register of Deeds within 10 days. Once it has been returned and filed, you can request certified copies. These copies serve as legal proof of your marriage for name changes, insurance matters, and other official purposes.
Haywood County Marriage Records History
Haywood County holds one of the longer records in western North Carolina. Marriage records go back to 1808. Marriage bonds and licenses are on file from 1850 to the present. Birth records start from 1913, death records from 1913, and land records from 1808. This deep history makes the office a strong resource for genealogy work.
Records can be viewed at the office upon request. The courthouse has computer workstations for accessing digitized documents. Birth and death certificate images are only available through the Register of Deeds workstations. Marriage bond images are on microfilm at the Haywood County Public Library, which is another option for researchers. The Haywood County Register of Deeds contact page has the latest office information:
This page lists staff names, phone numbers, and the office address for the Haywood County Register of Deeds in Waynesville.
Haywood County Marriage License Requirements
North Carolina General Statute 51-2 sets the age rules. You must be at least 18 to marry without parental consent. Those aged 16 or 17 need written consent from a parent and a certified birth certificate. Both applicants must show up in person at the office. No one can apply on behalf of another person.
If either applicant was married before, you must provide the month and year the previous marriage ended. There is no waiting period after a divorce. Under General Statute 51-8, the Register of Deeds is the sole authority for issuing marriage licenses at the county level. The process takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you have all your documents ready when you arrive.
Haywood County Marriage License Resources
The North Carolina Division of Vital Records keeps marriage certificates from 1962 to the present. You can order copies through the state marriage certificates page. For records older than 1962, the North Carolina State Archives is a good place to look. Haywood County's records stretch back to 1808, so some of the oldest documents may be stored at the state level.
The NC Register of Deeds county finder can help you locate the right office for any county in the state. This tool is especially useful if a marriage took place in a different county than where the couple now lives.
Note: Haywood County marriage records from 1808 to the mid-1900s may also be available through the State Archives in Raleigh.
Contacting the Haywood County Office
Reach the Register of Deeds by phone at (828) 452-6635 or by fax at (828) 452-6762. The office is in the Haywood County Courthouse at 215 North Main Street, Suite 213, Waynesville, NC 28786. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Marriage license applications are accepted until 4:15 PM. Arriving early helps you avoid any wait times, especially on Fridays and during the summer months when weddings are most common.
Certified Copies and Name Changes
After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed marriage license to the Haywood County Register of Deeds. State law allows 10 days for this step. Once the license is filed, you can request certified copies for $10 each. Most people need at least one certified copy for a name change. The Social Security Administration requires proof of marriage to update your card. The DMV also needs it to update your driver's license.
Banks, insurance companies, and other institutions often ask for a certified copy of your marriage license. It is wise to order two or three copies at once. The Haywood County office can process in-person requests the same day. For mail requests, include the names of both parties, the date of marriage, your return address, payment, and a copy of your ID. Processing times for mail requests depend on the volume of work at the office.