Martin County Marriage License Records
Martin County is in the Inner Banks region of eastern North Carolina, with its county seat in Williamston. The Register of Deeds office issues marriage licenses and keeps records dating back to the 1870s. Martin County also offers an online marriage license application that can speed up your visit. This page covers everything you need to know about getting a marriage license, searching for past records, and requesting certified copies in Martin County.
Getting a Martin County Marriage License
Go to the Martin County Governmental Center at 305 East Main St., Room 115, Williamston, NC 27892. Both people must appear in person. Marriage license hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The Register of Deeds is Lois C. Beck, with Heather Barber as Assistant and Doria H. Stevenson as Deputy.
You will need proof of age. Martin County accepts a certified birth certificate or a North Carolina driver's license, permit, or ID. Out-of-state driver's licenses are not accepted as proof of age. If you were previously married and the marriage ended in divorce, a divorce decree is required as of October 1, 2018. Under NC General Statute 51-6, a valid license must be obtained before the ceremony.
Note: Martin County does not accept out-of-state driver's licenses as proof of age for marriage license applications.
Martin County Marriage License Fees
The fee is $60. Certified copies of marriage records cost $10 per full-size copy. Contact the office at (252) 789-4320 to confirm payment methods. The fax number is (252) 789-4329. Email the staff at deeds@martincountyncgov.com with general questions.
Per General Statute 51-8, the Register of Deeds is the sole official who can issue marriage licenses at the county level. The license is valid right away and stays good for 60 days. Since October 1, 2001, you can purchase a license in one county and have the ceremony in another county anywhere in North Carolina. The officiant returns the signed license to the issuing county within 10 days.
Martin County Marriage License Online
Martin County offers an online marriage license application at martinmarriages.org. Filling out the application online before your visit can save time at the office. You still need to appear in person with your identification and documents, but the online form gets the basic information on file ahead of time.
The Martin County Register of Deeds website has information about all services offered by the office:
This page gives an overview of the office's services, including marriage licenses, vital records, land records, and notary services in Martin County.
Martin County Marriage Records History
The office has a marriage index from 1872 and marriage licenses from 1883 to the present. These records span over 150 years of Martin County history and cover the full scope of the county's growth and development. Birth and death records begin in 1913. Land records go back to 1776. Military records are also indexed and available. These deep archives make the Martin County Register of Deeds a strong resource for genealogy and historical research in eastern North Carolina.
The office provides a range of services. They record land transactions including deeds, easements, and deeds of trust. They issue marriage licenses. They administer notary oaths, retain military discharges, maintain cemetery records and genealogy information, and issue certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates. The Williamston office is the central hub for all these services in Martin County.
For land records, visit martinrod.org. For vital records, the office has a downloadable application form. Under General Statute 130A-93, the Register of Deeds issues certified copies that serve as legal proof of marriage for name changes, insurance, and court matters.
Martin County Marriage License Requirements
Under General Statute 51-2, both people must be at least 18. Those aged 16 or 17 need written parental consent and a certified birth certificate. Both must appear in person with a valid North Carolina driver's license or ID, or a certified birth certificate. A divorce decree is required for those previously married and divorced. There is no waiting period and no blood test.
To request a certified copy by mail, send your letter to P.O. Box 348, Williamston, NC 27892. Include a signed request with the names of both parties, the date of marriage, your NC driver's license or ID number, and payment. The office will process and mail the certified copy to you. Allow a few business days for processing and delivery when sending requests by mail.
Note: Martin County requires a NC driver's license or ID number when requesting certified copies of vital records by mail.
State Marriage License Resources
The NC Division of Vital Records keeps marriage certificates from 1962 forward. The state marriage certificates page has ordering details. The NC State Archives holds older historical records. The NC county finder tool links to every Register of Deeds office in the state.
After the Ceremony in Martin County
Once the ceremony is done, the officiant signs the marriage license and returns it to the Martin County Register of Deeds within 10 days. After the license is filed, you can request certified copies for $10 each. In-person requests at the Williamston office are handled the same day. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 348, Williamston, NC 27892.
You will need certified copies for a name change. Take your Martin County marriage license copy to the Social Security Administration first. Then update your driver's license at the DMV. Banks, insurance providers, and your employer will also need to see proof. Order two or three copies at once to save trips back to the office. The Martin County staff can assist with any questions about records or the filing process.