Rockingham County Marriage License Information
Rockingham County stores marriage license records at the Register of Deeds office in the Rockingham County Courthouse at 170 NC 65, Suite 150, in Reidsville, North Carolina. Located along the Virginia border in the northern Piedmont, Rockingham County has kept marriage records since 1741. The Register of Deeds handles new license applications and certified copies of marriage certificates. The county seat of Wentworth and the city of Reidsville serve as the main centers for county government. Couples who wish to marry in Rockingham County visit the office in person to begin the process. Staff members can help with both new applications and searches for historical records.
Apply for a Rockingham County Marriage License
Both parties must appear at the Rockingham County Register of Deeds to apply. Each person needs a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Your Social Security number is also required. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 51, the Register of Deeds checks all documents before the license is issued.
If either person was married before, state the month and year the divorce was final. A certified decree is needed if the divorce happened within the past 30 days. There is no waiting period and no blood test. The license is valid the moment it is issued and can be used anywhere in North Carolina for 60 days. Call (336) 342-8820 to schedule your visit or ask about specific requirements.
Rockingham County Marriage License Fees
The fee for a marriage license in Rockingham County is $60. This is the same fee charged in every North Carolina county. It covers the local and state portions of the filing cost. Contact the office at (336) 342-8820 to confirm which payment methods they accept. The fax number is (336) 342-6209.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Rockingham County Register of Deeds within 10 days. N.C.G.S. § 51-6 requires this step. Two witnesses must sign the license at the wedding. The completed license is then filed as a permanent county record under N.C.G.S. § 51-8.
Note: Make sure the signed license is returned to the Rockingham County office, not the county where the ceremony took place.
Certified Marriage Records in Rockingham County
Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each at the Rockingham County Register of Deeds. Under N.C.G.S. § 130A-93, only certain people may obtain a certified copy. This includes the person named on the record, their spouse, parents, children, grandparents, siblings, or a legal representative.
Request copies in person at the courthouse in Reidsville or by mail. The mailing address is P.O. Box 56, Wentworth, NC 27375. Include a signed request, a copy of your photo ID, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Death certificate information and record order forms are also available online through the county website. Uncertified copies are available to anyone for research purposes.
Rockingham County Marriage License Rules
Under N.C.G.S. § 51-2, anyone 18 or older can apply without parental consent. Those aged 16 or 17 may apply with written consent from a parent or guardian. The age gap between the parties must not exceed four years when one is under 18. No one under 16 may marry in North Carolina. There is no blood test and no residency requirement.
Both people must appear together at the office. Each must bring valid ID and a Social Security number. The license is issued the same day once all documents are in order. Rockingham County's location along US 29 and US 158 makes it accessible from Greensboro, Danville, and other nearby cities.
Rockingham County Marriage Record History
Rockingham County holds one of the longest marriage record collections in North Carolina. Marriage records from 1741 to 1868 are held by the Clerk of Superior Court. Marriage licenses from 1868 to the present are at the Register of Deeds. Birth and death records date from 1913. Land records go back to 1787. Probate records start in 1804, and court records begin in 1786.
The Rockingham County Historical Collections at Rockingham Community College offer additional research materials. The North Carolina State Archives has microfilm records for the county. FamilySearch also has an extensive collection covering Rockingham County marriages and other vital records. The NC Vital Records office in Raleigh holds statewide certificates from 1962 to the present and charges $24 per three-year search.
Search Rockingham County Marriage License Records
Visit the Rockingham County Register of Deeds at 170 NC 65, Suite 150, in Reidsville. An alternate address is 371 NC 65, Suite 212, Wentworth, NC 27320. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call (336) 342-8820 for phone help. Land records are available through the county's e-Vault system online. The NC Association of Registers of Deeds county finder lists contact details for all 100 counties.
The Rockingham County website provides general information about county departments and services. Visit the Rockingham County homepage for office details.
This site includes links to the Register of Deeds and other county offices.
The NC Vital Records portal is the central hub for state-issued vital records. Visit the NC Vital Records site for ordering options and processing times.
Marriage certificates from 1962 to the present are available through this portal.
The county finder tool from the NC Association of Registers of Deeds helps locate any office in the state. Use the county finder for Rockingham County contact information.
All 100 county offices are listed with current phone numbers and addresses.
Note: Call (336) 342-8820 to confirm hours before your visit, especially around county holidays.