Marriage records in Burke County, North Carolina, are available through several channels. BurkeCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also obtain records directly from the Burke County Register of Deeds, which issues marriage licenses and maintains filed certificates. Records are accessible through the office's online records portal, in person at the courthouse in Morganton, or by mail. The North Carolina Vital Records office in Raleigh is an additional source for certified marriage certificates for events recorded statewide since 1962.
Burke County Marriage Records Search
The Burke County Register of Deeds is the local authority responsible for issuing marriage licenses and recording marriage certificates in Burke County. Under North Carolina General Statute Chapter 51, the Register of Deeds issues licenses and files the completed certificates returned by the officiant after the ceremony.
The office's collection includes:
- Marriage licenses issued in Burke County
- Marriage certificates filed after ceremonies performed under those licenses
- Historical marriage records dating back to the county's formation in 1777
You can search marriage-related documents through the Burke County Register of Deeds online records search. For older or hard-to-find records, the North Carolina State Archives may hold additional Burke County historical records.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Burke County
Fees for marriage record services in Burke County are set by North Carolina statute (N.C.G.S. § 161-10). The table below reflects standard county Register of Deeds fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $10.00 |
| Each additional certified copy (same order) | $10.00 |
| Marriage license application | $60.00 |
The North Carolina Vital Records office also issues certified marriage certificates for marriages recorded from 1962 to the present. Their fee is $24.00 for the first copy and $15.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Requests through the state office typically take several weeks to process. In-person requests at the Burke County Register of Deeds are usually handled the same day.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Burke County
There are three main ways to order a copy of a Burke County marriage certificate:
Online
- County level: Use the Burke County Register of Deeds online portal to search records. Contact the office directly to confirm whether certified copies can be ordered online or if online access is limited to index searches.
- State level: The North Carolina Division of Public Health – Vital Records accepts online orders for marriage certificates (1962–present) through its authorized vendor portal at vitalrecords.nc.gov. Additional vendor processing fees apply.
In Person
Visit the Burke County Register of Deeds at the address listed above during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Certified copies are typically available while you wait. No appointment is needed.
By Mail
Send a written request to the Register of Deeds with the following:
- Full names of both spouses
- Approximate date of marriage
- Your relationship to the individuals on the record
- A copy of your valid photo ID
- A check or money order for $10.00 per certified copy, payable to the Burke County Register of Deeds
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Mail to:
Allow one to two weeks for processing of mailed requests. For questions about your request, call the office at (828) 764-9350.