Wilkes County Marriage License Records
Wilkes County stores marriage license records at the Register of Deeds in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The office is at 500 Courthouse Drive, Suite 1000. Wilkes County was incorporated on February 15, 1778, making it one of the oldest counties in the state. Marriage records here date back to 1778. The Register of Deeds handles marriage license applications, certified copies of vital records, and land document filings. Wilkesboro is the county seat and the center of all record services for the county.
Wilkes County Marriage License Application
Both people who plan to marry must come to the Register of Deeds. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID is fine. Proof of your Social Security number is also needed. Those aged 18 to 20 must bring a certified birth certificate. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 51, the state spells out all eligibility rules for marriage in North Carolina.
The marriage license fee in Wilkes County is $60. This is the same in all 100 North Carolina counties. Once issued, the license stays valid for 60 days. You can use it anywhere in the state. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Wilkes County Register of Deeds within 10 days. Two witnesses must sign the license at the time of the wedding.
Certified Marriage Records in Wilkes County
The Register of Deeds provides certified copies of Wilkes County marriage certificates. Standard North Carolina fees apply. Under N.C.G.S. § 130A-93, certified copies are available to the named person, their spouse, parents, children, grandparents, or a legal representative.
Request copies in person at 500 Courthouse Drive, Suite 1000, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. The phone number is (336) 651-7351. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For mail orders, send the names of both spouses, the marriage date, your payment, a copy of your photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Note: Wilkes County marriage records date from 1778, giving the county one of the longest marriage record collections in the state.
Wilkes County Marriage License History
Wilkes County holds marriage records from 1778 to the present. This is one of the longest continuous records in North Carolina. Birth and death records begin in 1913. The county was incorporated on February 15, 1778, during the Revolutionary War period. Wilkesboro has served as the county seat throughout the county's history.
The Wilkes County official website has information about county departments including the Register of Deeds. The county website provides access to birth, death, and marriage record information. For historical records, the NC State Archives may hold microfilm copies. Genealogy researchers looking for early Wilkes County marriage records should check both the county office and the state archives. The county's online tools provide access to recorded documents and other public filings.
Online Records for Wilkes County
Wilkes County makes birth, death, and marriage record information available through its official website. The county also has genealogy resources covering cemeteries, census records, death records, marriage records, and obituaries. These tools can help with both current requests and historical research.
The NCARD county finder confirms the Wilkes County office details. For marriages from 1962 onward, the NC Vital Records website can handle certificate orders. The county office is usually the faster and cheaper option for obtaining a certified copy.
Marriage License Laws in North Carolina
Every couple who weds in North Carolina must get a license. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-6, the Register of Deeds issues it. Both parties must be 18 or older under N.C.G.S. § 51-2. The fee is $60. The license is valid for 60 days. After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed license within 10 days to create the official marriage record.
The NC marriage certificates page explains the state ordering process. The state charges $24 for a three-year search. The county charges less for a certified copy. For older marriage records, the Wilkes County Register of Deeds is the best starting point given its records dating to 1778.
How to Get a Wilkes County Marriage Certificate
Visit the Register of Deeds at 500 Courthouse Drive, Suite 1000, in Wilkesboro. Bring your photo ID and payment. Staff can handle most requests the same day. If you cannot visit, mail your request to the same address with the required information and fee.
For marriages from 1962 forward, you may also order through the NC Vital Records state office. The state charges $24 per search. The county is typically less expensive and faster. Call (336) 651-7351 for questions about Wilkes County marriage license records.
Wilkes County Marriage License Office
The Register of Deeds is at 500 Courthouse Drive, Suite 1000, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. An alternate address is 110 North Street, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. The phone number is (336) 651-7351. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office closes on county and state holidays.
Wilkesboro is in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwestern North Carolina. The town is known for its annual MerleFest music festival and its connection to the roots of stock car racing. All marriage license applications at the Wilkes County Register of Deeds must be completed in person with both parties present.
The Wilkes County website provides information about the Register of Deeds and vital record services.
Visit the Wilkes County website for links to the Register of Deeds, vital records, and marriage license details.
The NC Vital Records website is the state portal for ordering marriage certificates from 1962 to the present.
The NCARD county finder can help locate the Wilkes County Register of Deeds and other county offices statewide.