Marriage records in Union County, North Carolina, are available through several channels. UnionNCCourt.us allows you to start searching publicly available marriage record information in the county. Additionally, the Union County Register of Deeds office maintains the original marriage licenses and certificates. You can visit in person, send a request by mail, or use the North Carolina state online portal to order certified copies.
Union Marriage Records Search
In North Carolina, marriage licenses are issued and maintained by the Register of Deeds office in the county where the couple obtained the license. For Union County, this function is performed by the Union County Register of Deeds. The collection includes marriage licenses, returned marriage certificates, and historical records dating back to the county's founding. Each record typically contains the names of the spouses, the date the license was issued, the date of the ceremony, and the name of the officiant. State-level records — starting from 1962 — are maintained by NC Vital Records in Raleigh.
Court record paper files can also be viewed by visiting the Clerk of Court office in the respective county, although marriage licenses themselves are kept at the Register of Deeds, not the court.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Union
Fees for copies of marriage records in North Carolina are set according to a statewide schedule (N.C. General Statutes § 161-10). The Register of Deeds charges a fee for each copy, and NC Vital Records charges for certified copies at the state level.
| Service | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy (Register of Deeds) | $10.00 for the first copy | N.C.G.S. § 161-10 |
| Additional Copy (same order) | $5.00 for each subsequent | N.C.G.S. § 161-10 |
| Certified Copy (NC Vital Records, state) | $24.00 | NC Vital Records fee schedule |
| Search Fee (NC Vital Records) | Included in the copy cost | NC Vital Records |
| Expedited Processing (NC Vital Records) | Additional ~$13.00 for delivery | NC Vital Records |
Processing a request at the Register of Deeds office usually takes a few minutes when visiting in person. Mail requests through NC Vital Records can take from two to six weeks.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Union
There are three main ways to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate registered in Union County.
Online
NC Vital Records offers online ordering of certified copies through their portal at vitalrecords.nc.gov. This option is suitable for marriages registered in any county of the state since 1962. You need to provide:
- Full names of both spouses
- Approximate date of marriage
- County where the license was issued
Payment is made by credit or debit card.
In Person
Visit the Register of Deeds office in Monroe directly. Walk-ins are welcome.
Bring a valid photo ID. A copy is usually issued the same day. Payment by cash, check, or money order.
By Mail
To order by mail through NC Vital Records, send:
- A completed application for a copy of a marriage certificate (form available for download from the NC Vital Records website)
- A money order or check for $24.00 made out to NC Vital Records
- A copy of the applicant's ID
- A self-addressed stamped envelope (optional, for faster return)
Alternatively, a request can be mailed directly to the Union County Register of Deeds at the address above, including a check for $10.00 and a clear description of the needed record. For more information on county court records, visit the Union County page on the North Carolina Judicial Branch website. Local rules and forms are available on a separate page of the same portal.
If you need general guidance on obtaining court records in North Carolina — including criminal background checks and other types of documents — the NC Judicial Branch portal contains step-by-step instructions.