Marriage records in Columbus County, North Carolina, can be accessed through several channels. ColumbusCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. The official custodian of these records is the Columbus County Register of Deeds, where marriage licenses are issued and returned certificates are filed. You can also request records through the North Carolina Vital Records office at the state level. Records are available in person at the county office, by mail, and through online ordering systems.
Columbus Marriage Records Search
In North Carolina, the Register of Deeds in each county is responsible for issuing marriage licenses and maintaining marriage records. The Columbus County Register of Deeds holds marriage licenses issued in the county as well as marriage certificates returned after the ceremony. Historical marriage records dating back decades are also part of the collection, and some older records may be available through the State Archives of North Carolina County Records Guide.
At the state level, the North Carolina Division of Public Health — Vital Records office maintains marriage records from 1962 forward. For marriages that took place before 1962, the county Register of Deeds is typically the only source.
Walk-ins are accepted during regular business hours. Contact the office directly to confirm availability of specific records before visiting.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Columbus
Fees for marriage record copies in Columbus County follow North Carolina statutory fee schedules. The table below outlines standard costs:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy (from Register of Deeds) | $10.00 |
| Certified copy (from NC Vital Records) | $24.00 |
| Additional certified copy (same order, NC Vital Records) | $15.00 |
| Search fee (NC Vital Records, if no record found) | $24.00 |
Fees are set under North Carolina General Statutes. The Register of Deeds charges per the county fee schedule, while the state Vital Records office follows its own published rates. Processing times at the county level are typically same-day for in-person requests. Mail orders through NC Vital Records may take several weeks for standard processing.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Columbus
There are three main ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Columbus County:
Online
The North Carolina Vital Records office accepts online orders for marriage certificates (1962–present) through its authorized vendor portal. Visit the NC Vital Records website to place an order. Additional processing and shipping fees apply when ordering online. The county Register of Deeds does not currently offer online ordering directly.
In Person
Visit the Columbus County Register of Deeds at the address listed above during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Certified copies are generally available the same day. No appointment is required.
By Mail
To request a marriage certificate by mail from the county, send the following to the Register of Deeds:
- A written request including the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of marriage
- A copy of your valid photo ID
- A check or money order for the applicable fee, payable to the Columbus County Register of Deeds
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
For state-level mail requests, download the appropriate application form from the NC Vital Records site and mail it with payment to the address listed on the form.
If you need help locating court-related records or understanding which office holds the record you need, the Columbus County courthouse directory and the NC Courts guide to obtaining court records are useful starting points. For broader searches, ColumbusCourt.us provides tools to help locate publicly available records in Columbus County.