Hyde County Marriage License Guide
Hyde County is one of the least populated counties in North Carolina, located along the Pamlico Sound on the Outer Banks mainland. The county seat is Swan Quarter. Despite its small size, the Register of Deeds office handles all marriage license applications and vital records for the county. The courthouse on Oyster Creek Road serves as the center for public records. Hyde County is home to the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge and attracts visitors from across the state. This page covers the full process for getting a marriage license and searching for past records in Hyde County.
Applying for a Hyde County Marriage License
Go to the Hyde County Courthouse at 30 Oyster Creek Road, Room 112, Swan Quarter, NC 27885. Both applicants must appear in person. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Arrive before 4:00 PM to start a new marriage license application.
You will need picture identification and proof of your Social Security number. Accepted forms of SSN proof include your Social Security card, a W-2, or a pay stub. Under North Carolina General Statute 51-6, no ceremony can take place without a valid license. The license is valid right away once issued. It stays good for 60 days and can be used anywhere in the state. The officiant must return the signed license to the Hyde County Register of Deeds within 10 days after the ceremony.
Hyde County Marriage License Fees
The fee is $60. Hyde County accepts cash only. This is one of only a few counties in North Carolina that does not take checks, money orders, or cards for this service. Certified copies of marriage records cost $10 each. Non-certified copies are $0.25 per page.
The Hyde County Register of Deeds website has information about fees and services. Here is the main portal page:
The portal provides links to vital records, fee schedules, and the marriage license application details for Hyde County.
Note: Be sure to bring cash when visiting the Hyde County office, as no other payment methods are accepted for marriage license fees.
Hyde County Marriage License Requirements
North Carolina General Statute 51-2 sets the minimum age at 18 for marriage without parental consent. Those aged 16 or 17 need written parental consent and a certified birth certificate. Both people must appear together at the office. If either person was divorced, bring the month and year the divorce was finalized. There is no waiting period after a divorce. Hyde County is one of the most rural counties in the state, so plan your visit carefully and confirm hours before making the trip to Swan Quarter.
The Hyde County marriage license page lists every requirement in detail:
This page walks you through the application step by step, including age rules, ID requirements, and what to bring if you were previously married.
Searching Marriage Records in Hyde County
The Hyde County Register of Deeds maintains marriage records, birth records, death records, and delayed birth records. You can download and print an application form from the county website to bring in and speed up your visit. For certified copies of existing records, visit the office in person or send a mail request.
Mail requests go to P.O. Box 294, Swan Quarter, NC 27885. Include a signed request with the names of both parties, the date of marriage, your mailing address, payment, and a copy of your photo ID. The Hyde County vital records page has more details about what records are on file and how to request them. The fee schedule page lists all costs for the office's services.
State Marriage License Resources
The North Carolina Division of Vital Records keeps marriage certificates from 1962 to the present. Visit the state marriage certificates page for ordering details. The NC State Archives holds older historical records that may not be available at the county level.
The NC county finder tool links directly to each Register of Deeds office in the state. Under General Statute 130A-93, certified copies of marriage records can be obtained from the county where the license was issued. For Hyde County records, that means the office in Swan Quarter.
Hyde County Marriage License Contact
Call the Register of Deeds at (252) 926-4182 or fax at (252) 926-3710. Email the office at hyderd@beachlink.com. The mailing address is P.O. Box 294, Swan Quarter, NC 27885. The physical address is 30 Oyster Creek Road, Room 112. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with marriage license applications accepted until 4:00 PM.
Note: Hyde County is remote, so calling ahead to confirm hours is a good idea, especially around holidays or during severe weather events.
After the Ceremony in Hyde County
The officiant who performs your ceremony must sign the marriage license and return it to the Hyde County Register of Deeds within 10 days. Once filed, the license is part of the official record. You can then request certified copies from the office in Swan Quarter. Each copy costs $10. Certified copies are needed for name changes, insurance, and other legal matters.
To change your name, start by getting a certified copy and visiting the Social Security Administration. After your Social Security card is updated, head to the DMV for a new driver's license. Banks and other institutions will also ask for proof. The Hyde County office can issue copies the same day for in-person visits. Mail requests should be sent to P.O. Box 294, Swan Quarter, NC 27885, with payment and identification included.