Swain County Marriage License Guide
Swain County keeps marriage license records at the Register of Deeds in Bryson City, North Carolina. The office is inside the Swain County Administration Building at 101 Mitchell Street. Couples who want to wed in this western North Carolina mountain county can apply here. The Register of Deeds also helps with requests for certified copies of past marriage records. Swain County has maintained marriage records since 1907 and land records from 1871. The office serves residents and visitors throughout the week during posted hours.
Swain County Marriage License Application
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. Proof of your Social Security number is also needed. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 51, both people must meet the state's age and identity requirements. Those between 18 and 20 should bring a certified birth certificate.
The fee is $60 for a Swain County marriage license. This is the same rate across all North Carolina counties. Once the license is issued, it stays valid for 60 days. You can hold your ceremony anywhere in the state during that time. The officiant must return the signed license to the Swain County Register of Deeds within 10 days after the wedding. Two witnesses must sign the license at the ceremony.
Certified Marriage Records in Swain County
Certified copies of Swain County marriage certificates are available from the Register of Deeds. Standard North Carolina fees apply. Under N.C.G.S. § 130A-93, only the named person, their spouse, parents, children, grandparents, or legal representative may get a certified copy. You can request copies in person at the office in Bryson City.
The phone number is (828) 488-9273, extension 2205. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The physical address is 101 Mitchell Street, Bryson City, NC 28713. The Swain County Courthouse is located at 1 Mitchell Street. For mail requests, include the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, payment, a copy of your ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Note: Swain County marriage records begin in 1907, so records from before that year are not available at this office.
Swain County Marriage License Historical Records
Swain County has marriage records from 1907 to the present. Birth and death records begin in 1913. Land records start in 1871. Court records go back to 1900, and probate records date from 1871. The county also has an extensive collection of deed records on microfilm, with the deeds index for grantees covering 1872 to 1970 across five reels and the grantor index spanning 1872 to 1970 on four reels. Full deed records from 1872 to 1958 fill 39 microfilm reels.
The NC State Archives guide for Swain County details the microfilm collection held in Raleigh. Online genealogy platforms also index some historical records from the county. These resources are valuable for genealogy researchers tracing family ties in the mountains of western North Carolina.
Online Search Options for Swain County
Swain County offers a recorded document search. You can look up land documents by name, date range, or instrument type. While the online search focuses on land records, it may help you locate related filings. For marriage certificates, contact the Register of Deeds directly.
The NC State Archives holds the most extensive backup of Swain County records. FamilySearch also has records available on microfilm that can be viewed at local family history centers. The NCARD county finder can help confirm the Swain County office address and contact information. The NC Vital Records website is another resource for marriages from 1962 to the present.
Marriage License Laws in North Carolina
North Carolina requires a license before any wedding. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-6, the Register of Deeds issues the license. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-2, both parties must be at least 18 to marry without restrictions. The fee is $60 statewide. The license is good for 60 days. The officiant returns the signed license within 10 days.
The NC marriage certificates page explains how to order marriage records through the state. The state office charges $24 for a search and includes one copy if the record is found. For older records, the Swain County Register of Deeds is the first place to check. The NC State Archives holds early records on microfilm for many counties including Swain.
Swain County Marriage License Office
The Register of Deeds is at 101 Mitchell Street in Bryson City, NC 28713. The courthouse is at 1 Mitchell Street. Call (828) 488-9273, extension 2205, for questions about marriage licenses or certified copies. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on county and state holidays.
Bryson City is the county seat and the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Swain County draws visitors from across the country, and some choose to marry here. All marriage license applications must be completed in person with both parties present. Bring your IDs, Social Security proof, and the $60 fee.
Swain County Marriage License Copies
The best way to get a copy is to visit the Register of Deeds in Bryson City. Bring your ID and payment. Staff can typically handle requests the same day. If you cannot visit in person, send a mail request to 101 Mitchell St., Bryson City, NC 28713. Include the names of both spouses, the marriage date, your payment, and a copy of your ID.
For marriages from 1962 onward, the NC Vital Records state office is an option. The state charges $24 per search. The county route is usually faster and less expensive. Swain County marriage records start in 1907, so records before that year must be sought through the state archives or neighboring counties where the marriage may have been recorded.
The NC Vital Records website is the state portal for ordering marriage certificates from 1962 to the present.
The NC marriage certificates page explains fees, ordering steps, and the information you need to provide.
The NCARD county finder helps locate the Swain County Register of Deeds and other county offices across the state.