Scotland County Marriage License Information
Scotland County keeps marriage license records at its Register of Deeds office in Laurinburg, North Carolina. The office is located at 212 Biggs Street, Room 250, inside the Scotland County Courthouse area. Both new license applicants and those seeking copies of past records can get help here. The Register of Deeds handles marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, and land records. For anyone planning to marry or looking up a marriage record in Scotland County, this office is the place to go.
Scotland County Marriage License Requirements
To get a marriage license in Scotland County, both applicants must appear in person at the Register of Deeds. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. You also need proof of your Social Security number. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 51, the state sets age and identity rules for marriage. Both people must be at least 18 to marry without extra conditions. Those aged 16 or 17 may need court approval.
The marriage license fee is $60. This is a statewide fee that applies in every North Carolina county. Payment can be made at the office during your visit. The license stays valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. After the wedding, the officiant must return the signed license to the Scotland County Register of Deeds within 10 days. Two witnesses are needed to sign the license during the ceremony.
Certified Marriage Records from Scotland County
Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each. Non-certified copies may be available at a reduced rate. Under N.C.G.S. § 130A-93, only the person named on the record, their spouse, parents, children, grandparents, or a legal representative may get a certified copy. You can request copies in person or by mail.
To request by mail, fill out an application for certified copies. Send it with a check or money order to the Scotland County Register of Deeds at 212 Biggs St., Room 250, Laurinburg, NC 28352. Include a copy of your photo ID. In-person requests are processed the same day in most cases. The office phone number is (910) 277-2575, and the fax is (910) 277-3133. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Note: Always call ahead to confirm the office has the record you need, especially for older marriage licenses in Scotland County.
Scotland County Marriage License History
The Register of Deeds in Scotland County maintains marriage records and other vital records. Birth and death records are available from 1913 to the present. Land records can be searched through the free online index. Scotland County has roots going back to the Scottish settlers who gave the county its name. These early families left behind records that can still be found in the county's collection and at the North Carolina State Archives.
For genealogy research in Scotland County, start with the Register of Deeds for marriage and land records. The county's online land document index lets you search by name, document type, or date range at no cost. This tool is useful for anyone tracing family connections through property and vital records in the Laurinburg area. The NCARD county finder can also help you locate the Scotland County office and other county offices across the state.
How Marriage Licenses Work in North Carolina
North Carolina requires a marriage license before any wedding. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-6, the license must come from the Register of Deeds. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-8, the Register of Deeds must issue a license when all legal requirements are met. The fee is $60 statewide, and the license is good for 60 days.
After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license. This creates the official marriage record. The NC Vital Records office in Raleigh keeps copies of marriage certificates from 1962 onward. For marriages before 1962, the county Register of Deeds is the primary source. The NC marriage certificates page explains the state ordering process.
Scotland County Marriage Record Search
Scotland County provides a free online search of its land document index. You can look up recorded documents by name, document type, or date range. While this index covers land records, it can also lead you to related filings. For marriage records specifically, contact the Register of Deeds by phone or visit in person.
The NCARD county finder tool is another way to get contact details for the Scotland County Register of Deeds. If you are searching for a marriage license from another North Carolina county, the same tool can point you to the right office. Each of the state's 100 counties has its own Register of Deeds that handles marriage licenses and vital records.
Getting Copies of Scotland County Marriage Licenses
You have two main ways to get a copy of a Scotland County marriage license. The first is to go in person to 212 Biggs Street, Room 250, in Laurinburg. Bring your photo ID and $10 for a certified copy. The second is to send a mail request. Include the names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, your payment, and a copy of your ID.
For marriages from 1962 to the present, the NC Vital Records state office can also issue copies. The state charges $24 for a search, which includes one copy if the record is found. Extra copies cost $15 each. County orders are usually faster and cheaper. The Scotland County Register of Deeds processes most requests within a few business days.
Note: The state office does not issue marriage licenses. Only the county Register of Deeds can do that.
Scotland County Marriage License Office Contact
The Scotland County Register of Deeds is at 212 Biggs Street, Room 250, Laurinburg, NC 28352. Call (910) 277-2575 for questions about marriage licenses, certified copies, or other vital records. The fax number is (910) 277-3133. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on county and state holidays.
The NC Vital Records website is the state portal for ordering marriage certificates dating from 1962 to the present.
Visit the NC marriage certificates page for details on fees, required information, and how to order a copy of your marriage record.
The NCARD county finder helps you locate the Scotland County Register of Deeds and every other county office in the state.