Cumberland County Register of Deeds: Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses in Cumberland County are handled by the Register of Deeds, not the court clerk. The office is led by Andra S. Brewington and sits in Room 114 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse at 117 Dick Street in downtown Fayetteville. The general phone is 910-678-7775 and the Vital Records line is 910-678-7795. The Register issues the license, witnesses its return, and keeps the permanent record. The official marriage license requirements page at ccrod.org lays out every document you need before you arrive.
Hours for getting a license are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, not counting state holidays. Between noon and 2:00 PM, expect up to an hour wait because that window is busy. Both applicants must appear together. The office does not allow one person to come alone and return later with the other. If either applicant does not fully understand English, they must bring their own interpreter. The Register does not supply one, and the person being married cannot serve as their own interpreter. Only the two applicants and an interpreter may enter the office during the process.
The screenshot below was captured from the Register of Deeds marriage license requirements page.
This page lists accepted IDs, document requirements for underage applicants, rules for recently divorced applicants, fees, and office hours in one place.
Cumberland County Register of Deeds
Andra S. Brewington, Register of Deeds
117 Dick Street, Room 114
Fayetteville, NC 28301
General: 910-678-7775
Vital Records: 910-678-7795
Required Documents for a Cumberland County Marriage License
Every applicant must bring specific documents to the Register of Deeds on the day they appear in person. Missing even one item means the office cannot issue the license that day. The list below covers what each person must present. The rules apply to both applicants, not just one.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Certified birth certificate | Both applicants required. If born outside the United States, must be translated by a certified translator. |
| Photo ID (unexpired) | Accepted: driver's license, state-issued ID, passport, or military ID. Temporary paper NC DMV ID is not accepted. |
| Original Social Security card | No copies. If lost, a W-2, pay stub, or government document showing the full SSN may substitute. Applicants not eligible for an SSN may sign an affidavit available in the office. |
| Parental consent (ages 16-17 only) | Written consent from authorized parent, custodian, or guardian required under N.C.G.S. § 51-2. Age gap between the minor and the other applicant cannot exceed four years. |
| Certified divorce decree | Required only if divorced within the past 30 days. A 24-hour waiting period applies between the divorce date and applying for the new license. |
| Month and year of prior divorce | Required if divorced more than 30 days ago. The office uses this to complete the application fields. |
Bring originals, not photocopies. Staff at the Register will inspect and return your documents after they verify them. Once you have the license, you are free to marry anywhere in North Carolina.
How to Apply for a Cumberland County Marriage License
The Register of Deeds offers an online pre-application through the ccrodmarriage.org portal. Starting online saves time at the counter because staff can pull your submitted data before you arrive. The online step does not replace the in-person appearance. Both applicants still must show up together at the Vital Statistics area in Room 114, and the submission expires after 30 days if they do not come in.
The screenshot below shows the online marriage license application portal at ccrodmarriage.org, linked by the Register of Deeds for both applicants to complete before their visit.
Both applicants should complete this form fully and accurately. If you find an error after submitting, do not submit a second application. Bring the correction to staff when you appear in person.
- Complete the online application. Both applicants fill out the form at ccrodmarriage.org. All required fields must be completed; the system flags missing items before you can submit. Be accurate, because staff will compare your answers to the documents you bring.
- Gather your documents. Each person needs a certified birth certificate, unexpired photo ID, and original Social Security card. Add the certified divorce decree if either applicant was divorced within 30 days, or written parental consent if either is 16 or 17.
- Both applicants appear in person. Come to the Vital Statistics area at the Register of Deeds, Room 114, 117 Dick Street, between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. You must arrive within 30 days of submitting the online form, or the submission is discarded and you start over.
- Staff verifies your documents. A Register employee checks your birth certificate, Social Security card, and ID against the online application. If an applicant was recently divorced, the certified divorce decree is reviewed at this step.
- Take the oath and sign. Staff administers an oath, then both applicants sign the actual application at the counter.
- Pay the $60 fee. Cash, check, money order, and credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) are accepted. Credit card transactions must be at least $10. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Cumberland County Register of Deeds.
- Receive the license. The license is valid immediately and good for 60 days anywhere in North Carolina. If the marriage does not take place within 60 days, a new application and another $60 fee are required.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the Register of Deeds in Cumberland County, the county where it was issued. A license returned to a different county is not valid for recording.
Note: The online application at ccrodmarriage.org is a pre-application only; it does not replace the in-person appearance or document review.
Cumberland County Marriage Record Fees
The Register of Deeds charges set fees for marriage licenses and certified copies of marriage records. The fee schedule below covers what you will pay at the time of application and when you order a certified copy later. The full schedule is published at the Register of Deeds vital records fee schedule page.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $60.00 |
| Certified marriage copy (in person or by mail) | $10.00 |
| Certified marriage copy (Online Vitals) | $14.50 |
| Uncertified marriage copy | $0.25 per page |
| Delayed marriage license (with one certified copy) | $20.00 |
| Marriage amendment (with one certified copy) | $10.00 |
Accepted payment types for the marriage license are cash, check, money order, and credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover). The minimum credit card transaction is $10. For check and money order payments, make them payable to Cumberland County Register of Deeds.
The screenshot below is from the vital records fee schedule on the Register of Deeds website.
This fee schedule also shows rates for birth and death record copies, land record certifications, and other services the Register provides.
Underage and Recently Divorced Applicants
North Carolina law sets specific rules for two groups of applicants. Minors age 16 or 17 can get a license in Cumberland County, but they need more paperwork. People who were recently divorced face a short delay before they can apply again. Both rules exist in state law and are enforced at the Register of Deeds counter.
Applicants age 16 or 17: Written parental or guardian consent is required under N.C.G.S. § 51-2. The statute also caps the age difference between the minor and the other applicant at four years. If the age gap is more than four years, the license will not be issued even with parental consent. Both the minor and the adult applicant must still appear in person and bring all the standard documents plus the written consent from the parent, custodian, or guardian who has legal authority to give it.
Applicants divorced within 30 days: If either person was divorced within the past 30 days, they must bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. There is also a 24-hour waiting period between the date the divorce was finalized and the date the new license application is filed. You cannot apply the same day your divorce becomes final. After the 30-day window, only the month and year of the prior divorce are needed to complete the application fields; the decree itself is not required past that point.
These rules apply at the time of application. Staff check the documents before the oath is given. If a required item is missing, the application cannot proceed that day.
Searching Cumberland County Marriage Records Online
The Register of Deeds maintains a record search portal at ccrodinternet.org for land records and limited vital record index searching. The portal gives access to the index of recorded instruments, which can include marriage records by name and date. For full certified copies, you contact the Vital Records line at 910-678-7795 or visit Room 114 in person.
The screenshot below shows the Register of Deeds record search portal at ccrodinternet.org.
The portal is useful for confirming that a marriage was recorded and identifying the book and page number before ordering a certified copy.
To order a certified copy by mail, use the Register of Deeds vital records request form. Fill in the names of both applicants, the date of marriage, and the county. Include a copy of a valid ID and the $10 fee by check or money order. Mail the completed form to the Register of Deeds at 117 Dick Street, Room 114, Fayetteville, NC 28301. A certified copy ordered through Online Vitals costs $14.50 and uses the online ordering system linked from the Register's site.
Note: A certified marriage copy is required for legal name changes, passport applications, insurance updates, and most government benefit forms. An uncertified copy is not accepted for those purposes.
Divorce Records in Cumberland County
Divorce records are not held by the Register of Deeds. A divorce is a court matter, and the files are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court. The family division of the Superior Court handles most divorce cases in North Carolina. When a divorce is granted, the judgment becomes part of the court record maintained at the courthouse. Certified divorce certificates can be ordered through NC Vital Records at the state level, but the case files, motions, financial records, and the actual divorce judgment live with the court clerk, not with Vital Records.
To find a Cumberland County divorce case, use the North Carolina eCourts Portal. Under Smart Search, you can search by party name, case number, or record number. Family cases, including divorces, appear in the portal's public case summaries when they are not restricted. The portal shows party information, hearing dates, dispositions, and events. The official case record and certified copies come from the Clerk of Superior Court at (910) 475-3000, located at 117 Dick Street, Fayetteville.
The NC Judicial Branch publishes a North Carolina Divorce Packet with all the forms needed to file for divorce without an attorney. The packet covers residency requirements, the one-year separation period, service of process, and the steps to get a judgment. For help with the process, Legal Aid of North Carolina offers free civil legal services to qualifying individuals and can assist with divorce filings. The NC Bar Association lawyer referral service at ncbar.org connects applicants with family law attorneys in the Fayetteville area.
Divorce cases may include additional court filings beyond the divorce judgment itself. Common related filings include:
- Post-separation support orders
- Alimony claims and judgments
- Child custody and visitation orders
- Child support orders
- Equitable distribution of marital property
- Domestic violence protective orders (restricted in the public portal)
Each of these may be a separate filing within the same family case or a linked case. Use eCourts Portal Smart Search with the case number to find related filings. Contact the Clerk's Family Court line at (910) 475-3015 if you have trouble locating a specific order.
Local Family Court Forms for Cumberland County Divorce Cases
Cumberland County has its own local family court forms that go beyond the standard state AOC forms. These are published by the NC Judicial Branch on the Cumberland County Local Rules and Forms page. Parties in a divorce or separation case may need to use these local forms in addition to the standard statewide forms. Using the wrong form or missing a local form can delay a hearing or result in a continuance.
Key local family court forms used in Cumberland County divorce and separation cases include:
- CCLF-FC-004 Equitable Distribution Inventory Affidavit -- lists marital property subject to division
- CCLF-FC-005 Equitable Distribution Affidavit -- supporting financial disclosure for property division
- CCLF-FC-006 Post Separation Support Affidavit -- required when requesting temporary spousal support after separation
- CCLF-FC-007 Domestic Case Motion for Continuance -- used to request a delay in a scheduled hearing
- CCLF-FC-010 Motion to Exempt Child Custody/Visitation Mediation -- filed when a party seeks to skip mandatory custody mediation
- CCFC-001 Family Court Notice -- general family court administrative notice
All local forms are available through the Cumberland County local rules and forms link above. Self-represented parties should review both the local forms list and the standard NC Judicial Branch forms library at nccourts.gov/documents/forms before filing. The NC Guide & File tool at northcarolina.tylertech.cloud also helps people prepare and file documents without an attorney. Filing is done through eCourts File & Serve or Guide & File, not through the eCourts Portal, which is view and pay only.
Marriage License Application: Information Required
When you complete the online pre-application at ccrodmarriage.org, you enter personal information for both applicants. Staff use this data to prepare the application before your in-person visit. The table below shows the fields needed to complete a Cumberland County marriage license application based on the Register of Deeds process.
| Field | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full legal name (both applicants) | Yes | Name as shown on certified birth certificate. |
| Date of birth | Yes | Both applicants; must match birth certificate. |
| Social Security number | Yes | Original card required in person; no copies accepted. |
| Place of birth / county of birth | Yes | Used to verify the certified birth certificate. |
| Mailing address | Yes | Current address for each applicant. |
| Prior marriage status | Yes | Single, divorced, or widowed; if divorced, provide month/year or certified decree if within 30 days. |
| Parent names | Yes | Father/parent and mother/parent (maiden name) for each applicant. |
| Parental consent documentation | Conditional | Required only for applicants age 16 or 17 under N.C.G.S. § 51-2. |
| Interpreter information | Conditional | If applicant does not fully understand English, bring an independent interpreter; the person being married cannot interpret. |
The online system flags required fields before you can submit. If you find a mistake after submitting, do not file a second application. Come in person and tell staff about the error. They can correct the record before the oath is given and the application is signed.
The screenshot below is from the Register of Deeds marriage license application instructions page.
This page includes a direct link to the online portal and outlines exactly what to expect when you arrive at the office on the day of your appointment.
License Validity, Use, and Return in Cumberland County
A Cumberland County marriage license is valid immediately upon issuance. It is good for 60 days anywhere in North Carolina. If the ceremony does not happen within 60 days, the license expires and a new one is required along with a new $60 fee and a new in-person application process. There is no way to extend the 60-day window.
The license can be used for a ceremony performed anywhere in the state. After the ceremony, the officiant completes and signs the license. It must then be returned to the Register of Deeds office in Cumberland County, the county where it was issued. Returning the license to a different county is not valid for recording purposes. Once returned, the Register records the license and the official marriage record is created.
If you need a certified copy of the recorded marriage license, you can request one in person at Room 114 for $10, order by mail for $10, or use the Online Vitals system for $14.50. You will need to provide both applicants' names, the date of marriage, and the county of issuance. A valid photo ID is required for certified copies. Keep at least two certified copies once you receive them. Original copies are rarely returned after submission to a government agency or employer.