Rutherford County Marriage License Search
Rutherford County holds marriage license records at its Register of Deeds office in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. The office is at 229 North Main Street and serves residents of the county and beyond. Couples looking to wed in Rutherford County must visit this office in person. Staff can also help with requests for certified copies of past marriage records. The Register of Deeds keeps a broad collection of vital records, land documents, and other public filings. Those searching for a marriage license in Rutherford County will find the office open Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
Rutherford County Marriage License Application
Both people who plan to marry must appear at the Rutherford County Register of Deeds. You need a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID will work. Each person must also show proof of their Social Security number. Those between 18 and 20 years old should bring a certified birth certificate. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 51, the state sets out who may marry and what documents are required.
The marriage license fee in Rutherford County is $60. This is the same across all North Carolina counties. Once issued, the license stays valid for 60 days and can be used at any location in the state. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Register of Deeds within 10 days. Two witnesses must sign the license at the time of the wedding. If you were recently divorced, you may need to bring a certified divorce decree, especially if the divorce was final within the past 30 days.
Certified Marriage Records in Rutherford County
The Rutherford County Register of Deeds provides certified copies of marriage certificates. The cost is $10 per copy. Under N.C.G.S. § 130A-93, only certain people may get a certified copy. This includes the person named on the record, their spouse, parents, children, or a legal representative. You can request copies in person or by mail. Mail requests should include a check or money order sent to 229 North Main St., Rutherfordton, NC 28139.
Record order forms are available for download from the county website. Fill out the form, attach your payment, and include a copy of your photo ID. In-person requests are processed faster than mail orders. The office also offers uncertified copies for research purposes at a lower cost. Call (828) 287-6155 for more details about fees and processing times.
Note: Always include a self-addressed stamped envelope when sending a mail request to the Rutherford County Register of Deeds.
Rutherford Marriage License Office Details
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It sits at 229 North Main Street in Rutherfordton. The phone number is (828) 287-6155. The Register of Deeds handles marriage licenses, birth and death records, and land filings. Staff are available during office hours to answer questions about the marriage license process in Rutherford County.
Rutherfordton serves as the county seat and is the only location in Rutherford County where you can apply for a marriage license. There is no branch office. All applicants must visit in person because both parties need to sign the application and show their IDs at the same time. The office does not accept faxed or emailed applications for marriage licenses.
Online Records Search for Rutherford County
Rutherford County offers an integrated search for recorded documents. This includes real estate filings, financing statements, notary records, and vital records such as birth, death, and marriage records. You can search by name, date range, or document type through the county's online tools.
Online searches can be a good starting point for those tracing family history or looking for a specific marriage record in Rutherford County. Keep in mind that online results may show index information rather than full documents. For a certified copy of a marriage license, you will still need to contact the Register of Deeds directly. The NC Association of Registers of Deeds website also lets you find contact details for the Rutherford County office.
Marriage License Laws in North Carolina
North Carolina law governs how marriage licenses are issued across all 100 counties. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-6, a couple must obtain a license before the wedding. The Register of Deeds in the county where either person lives, or where the ceremony will take place, can issue the license. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-2, both parties must be at least 18 to marry without restrictions. Those aged 16 or 17 may marry with court approval under limited conditions.
After the wedding, the officiant files the signed license with the Register of Deeds. This creates the official marriage record. The NC Vital Records office in Raleigh also keeps copies of marriage certificates from 1962 to the present. For records before 1962, the county Register of Deeds is the primary source. The North Carolina State Archives holds historical marriage bonds and early records that predate the modern licensing system.
Rutherford County Marriage License History
Rutherford County has a long history of recording marriages. The county was formed in 1779 and named after Griffith Rutherford, a Revolutionary War general. The Register of Deeds office has kept marriage records for generations. These records are part of the county's broader collection that also includes land records and other public documents.
Researchers looking for older marriage records in Rutherford County can check with the Register of Deeds first. The office holds records from its earliest years through the present. For records that may have been lost or damaged, the NC State Archives in Raleigh may have backup copies on microfilm. FamilySearch and other genealogy platforms also index some Rutherford County marriage records.
Note: Older records may be indexed under different spellings or formats, so try variant spellings when searching for historical marriage licenses in Rutherford County.
Rutherford County Marriage License Copies
There are several ways to get a copy of a Rutherford County marriage license. The fastest method is to visit the Register of Deeds office at 229 North Main Street in Rutherfordton. Bring a valid photo ID and be ready to pay the $10 fee for a certified copy. The staff can usually process your request the same day.
Mail requests take longer. Send a written request with the names of both spouses, the approximate date of the marriage, and a check or money order for $10. Include a copy of your ID and a stamped return envelope. The NC Vital Records marriage page has more details about obtaining marriage certificates at the state level. For marriages that took place in Rutherford County from 1962 onward, you may also order through the state office, though processing times there can be longer.
The NC Vital Records website shown above is the state portal where you can order marriage certificates for records from 1962 to the present.
This page on the NC Vital Records site provides specific details about ordering marriage certificates, including fees and required information.
The NCARD county finder tool helps you locate the Rutherford County Register of Deeds and other county offices across North Carolina.