Henderson County Marriage Records
Henderson County is in the western mountains of North Carolina, with its county seat in Hendersonville. One key thing that sets Henderson County apart from most others in the state is that marriage licenses are issued by appointment only. Walk-ins are not accepted. The Register of Deeds office at the Henderson County Courthouse handles all marriage license applications, vital records, and land recordings for the county. This guide explains the full process for getting a marriage license, searching old records, and requesting certified copies through the Henderson County Register of Deeds.
Henderson County Marriage License by Appointment
Marriage licenses in Henderson County are issued by appointment only. Call (828) 697-4901 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, to schedule your visit. Appointment times are available from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. You cannot schedule an appointment by email. Both people must appear together at the Henderson County Courthouse, Suite 129, at 200 N. Grove Street in Hendersonville, NC 28792.
Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. Under North Carolina General Statute 51-6, a license is required before any ceremony can take place. There is no waiting period. The license is valid the moment it is issued and stays good for 60 days. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Henderson County Register of Deeds within 10 days.
Note: Henderson County is one of the few in North Carolina that requires an appointment for marriage licenses, so plan ahead and call early.
Fees for a Henderson County Marriage License
The fee is $60 for a new marriage license. This is the standard state fee. Henderson County accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. A vendor processing fee applies when paying by card. Certified copies of marriage records cost $10 each. Photocopies cost $0.25 per page.
The Register of Deeds, William Lee King, oversees all marriage license services. The Henderson County Register of Deeds website has full details on fees and how to prepare for your appointment. Here is the main page of the Henderson County Register of Deeds:
This page covers all the services the office provides, from vital records to real estate document searches and contact details for the Hendersonville office.
Searching Henderson County Marriage Records
The Henderson County Register of Deeds maintains a wide range of records. These include land transfers, security instruments, vital records for births, deaths, and marriages, military records, notary oaths, and assumed business names. You can search recorded documents online by name, document type, and date range through the county's web portal.
For marriage records specifically, you can request certified copies in person at the courthouse or by mail. Include the full names of both parties, the date of marriage, your mailing address, payment, and a copy of your ID when sending a mail request. The Henderson County marriage license appointment page has additional guidance:
This page explains the appointment requirement and lists every document you need to bring, along with accepted payment methods.
Henderson County Marriage License Requirements
Under North Carolina General Statute 51-2, you must be 18 or older to marry without parental consent. Those between 16 and 17 need written consent from a parent and a certified birth certificate. Both applicants must appear in person at the office. No one may apply on behalf of another person. Per General Statute 51-8, only the Register of Deeds can issue a marriage license at the county level.
No blood test is needed. There is no waiting period after issuance or after a previous divorce. If either person was married before, bring the month and year the previous marriage ended. The marriage license can be used in any of North Carolina's 100 counties within the 60-day window.
Henderson County is a popular destination for weddings in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Hendersonville area draws couples from across the region. Because marriage licenses require an appointment, it is wise to schedule your visit at least a few days before your planned ceremony. The office processes applications in about 15 to 20 minutes once you arrive with all required documents.
State Marriage License Resources
The NC Division of Vital Records keeps marriage certificates from 1962 to the present. The marriage certificates page on the state website details how to order copies and the fees involved. For records before 1962, try the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh.
The NC Association of Registers of Deeds county finder links to each county's office and is a useful starting point when you are not sure where a marriage took place. Under General Statute 130A-93, certified copies of vital records, including marriage licenses, can be obtained from the Register of Deeds where the event was recorded.
Note: Henderson County maintains records for vital events, land transactions, and military discharges, all of which are accessible through the courthouse in Hendersonville.
After Your Henderson County Marriage
Once the ceremony takes place, the officiant signs the marriage license and returns it to the Henderson County Register of Deeds. The state gives 10 days to file the completed license. After filing, you can request certified copies for $10 each. Certified copies are needed for name changes, insurance updates, and legal matters. Order two or three copies to cover your needs.
For a name change, start at the Social Security Administration with your certified marriage license copy. Then update your driver's license at the DMV. Banks, credit card companies, and your employer will also need to see proof of your new name. The Henderson County Register of Deeds office in Hendersonville can process same-day requests if you visit in person. Mail requests take longer but are an option for those who cannot come to the office. The whole process is straightforward once the license has been filed.