Applicants applying for a marriage license in Pender County, N.C. may fill out a marriage license application and affidavit of eligibility on this web site Vit and submit them electronically after completion and proofing to the Pender County Register of Deeds prior to physically appearing in the Pender County Register of Deeds Office,al Records Section, located in the Holly Administration Building at 300 E. Fremont Street, Burgaw, N.C. 8:00 AM-4:00 PM Monday through Friday. There is a fee of $60 (CASH only)(this includes $10.00 for a certified copy after marriage performed). For more information call 259-1225.

If you are 18 years or older you need the following forms of identification (valid driver's license, military ID and State or County issued certified copy of your birth certificate.) Documentation as to Social Security numbers is required.

If you are 16 or 17 you will need a State or County issued certified copy of your birth certificate, valid driver's license and consent of parent with full or joint custody (certified copy of documentation to show custody) or guardian (providing certified copy of the Court Order appointing Guardian of the underage child, which consent must be given on a form in the Register of Deeds Office.

If divorced within last year, a Court certified copy of your divorce judgment is required. Both white copies of the marriage license must be returned to the Register of Deeds Office in Pender County (if license issued from Pender County), then a certified copy will be issued when the license is returned and determined to be correct.

If the License is not used, it must be returned. There will, however, be NO refund if not used.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS: As of October 1, 1994 and after a doctor's certificate is no longer required on either applicant for a marriage license. However, Pender County will ask that both applicants fill out a simple Affidavit of eligibility to be held in their office.

LICENSE IS VALID FOR 60 DAYS: Marriage must be performed WITHIN 60 days from the date of the issuance of the license. License is valid in Pender County and ANY OTHER COUNTY IN NORTH CAROLINA. The marriage must take place on “land” in any county in North Carolina (no boats, airplanes, hot air balloons and the like). Both white copies (filled out when the marriage performed) must be returned to the County in North Carolina that issued the license. If a marriage License is NOT used, it must be returned. There will be however, no refund if not used.

MAKING APPLICATION: Both the Bride and Groom must appear to make application for the marriage license or if submitted electronically, both must come in to sign the original once prepared by the Registry. They both must meet age requirements, have required identification and social security information specified above. Both must fill out the necessary forms required. The license will be issued while they wait, HOWEVER, both must be at the Register of Deeds Office in Pender County well before 4:00 PM for the license to be issued that day, otherwise they may be asked to return another day. Reminder that if either party has been divorced in the last 12 months, bring a certified copy of the divorce judgment.

THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY: Same may be performed by ANY ordained Minister, Rabbi, Priest, or Magistrate. The Magistrate requires, as do others, that you make an appointment, and bring your own 2 witnesses (witnesses must be over 18 and of sound mind). The local Magistrate can be located at the Pender County Law Enforcement Building, 9l0-259-1215. You must make your own arrangements with the Magistrate or other officiant to have the ceremony performed. The license once completed must be returned to the Vital Records Section of the Pender County Register of Deeds Office, (if issued by that County, and if not, then to the N.C. County that issued the license) located in the Holly Administration Building at 300 E. Fremont Street, Burgaw, N.C. 8:00 AM-4:00 PM Monday through Friday. There is a fee of $60 (cash) (this includes $10 for a certified copy after marriage is performed). For more information call 259-1225 Pender County Register of Deeds.

To speed up the processing time of your marriage license, you may, for convenience, fill out the worksheet application form and the Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry on this web site and electronically submit the completed forms to the Pender County Register of Deeds Office. This process will speed up issuance of the license once BOTH applicants appear in person in the Pender County Register of Deeds Office with required ID's and other documentation specified herein.

Once married, if additional copies of the marriage certificate are needed, they may be acquired from the office that issued the license in person or requested by mail (furnish a copy of your driver's license, names of persons married, date and place of marriage) and if the license issued, mail that request and ID to: Pender County Register of Deeds, PO Box 43, Burgaw, N.C. 28425. Fee of $10 per certificate payable to: Pender County Register of Deeds

Under NC General Statutes there is a penalty due if the license is not returned to the Pender County Registry or the issuing County within 10 days after the marriage is performed. .

NOTICE to Ministers: be sure to return both copies with LEGIBLE SIGNATURES and ADDRESSES and if not, be sure that a clearly printed name and address appears, then return in person preferably or mail to:

Pender County Register of Deeds
P.O. 43 300 E. Fremont St
Burgaw, N.C. 28425

CERTIFIED Copies of marriage certificates are $10.00 @
For Inquires 8AM to 5PM) 9l0-259-1225 License actually issued from 8AM to 4PM daily except holidays and weekends.

****On-Line Marriage License Application****