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Watauga County, North Carolina

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records
Watauga County North Carolina Map
VEIW FULL SIZED D.O.T. COUNTY MAP

Watauga was formed in 1849 from Ashe, Caldwell, Wilkes and Yancey Counties. It was named for the Watauga River, which name came from an Indian word meaning "beautiful water." The present land area is 312.51 square miles and the 2000 population was 42,693. The first court was ordered to be held at the home of George Council, at which time justices of the peace were to decide upon a place for the future courts until the courthouse was erected. Commissioners were named to select a site for a county seat "which site shall be between Reuben Bartley's and a point one-half mile west of Willie McGee's east and west direction, and between John Pennell's and Howard's Knob north and south direction." They were to acquire the land and lay out a town and erect the public buildings. In 1851 a superior court was established for Watauga, and it directed that court was to be held in the courthouse at Boone. Boone, named in honor of Daniel Boone, is the county seat.

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Watauga County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also North Carolina Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records and Marriage Records

What follows is an outline of beginning dates of extant records of each county. The beginning dates do not imply that all records are extant since some of North Carolina's county records have been lost due to fire and other causes. Find out about the Watauga Courthouse Hours and Location

Watauga County Clerk of Superior Court has Court Records from 1873 and Probate Records from 1858 and is located at Courthouse, 842 W. King Street, PO Box 13, Boone, NC 28607-3560; (828) 265-5364, fax (828) 262-5753.

Watauga County Register of Deeds has Land Records from 1830 and Marriage Records from 1873 and is located at 842 West King St., Suite 9, Room 119 Boone NC 28607; 828-265-8052, Fax: 828-265-7632.

Below is a list of online resources for Watauga County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Watauga County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Watauga County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Vital Records in North Carolina

Do not contact North Carolina Vital Records or the North Carolina State Archives, as there are no birth records prior to 1913 in a state public office. For death certificates prior to 1930, contact the North Carolina State Archives. A few delayed death records may exist back to 1909. Prior to this, there are no death records of any sort other than wills and estate settlements in the North Carolina State Archives.

COUNTY: Birth and Marriage Recordes and avalible from the Watauga County Register of Deeds Office. Divorce Records are available from the Watauga County Clerk of Superior Court Office. Click Here To see a list of North Carolina County Health Departments

STATE: North Carolina Vital Records is located at 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903; (919) 733-3526 (This office does not accept FAX or e-mail orders). All Fees are listed below under "Cost". They have the following records:

  • Birth Certificates: Birth records are available from 1913 to the present. For birth records prior to the dates listed above, contact the local Register of Deeds office in the county where the birth occurred. In order to process a request, Vital Records needs to know: Full Name on Certificate, Date of Birth, Mother's Full Maiden Name, Father's Full Name, Place (City or County) of Birth.
  • Death Certificates: Certified copies of death records are available from 1930 to the present. For death certificates prior to 1930, contact the North Carolina State Archives. A few delayed death records may exist back to 1909. Prior to this, there are no death records of any sort other than wills and estate settlements in the North Carolina State Archives. Vital Records needs to know: Full Name of Deceased, Date of Death, Place (City or County) of Death, Date of Birth. Fees are listed below. Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index
  • Marriage Certificates: Certified copies of Marriage records are available from 1962 to the present. Vital Records needs to know: Full Name of Groom, Full Name of Bride, Date of Marriage, Place (City or County) Where License Was Issued. Marriages prior to 1962 should be available from the County Register of Deeds office where the marriage was performed. Fees vary.
  • Divorce Certificates: Certified copies of Divorce records are available from 1958 to the present. Vital Records needs to know: Full Name of Husband, Full Name of Wife, Date of Divorce, Place (City or County) of Divorce. If the records are not available at the North Carolina Vital Records office, they should be available from the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Fees vary.

Ordering Vital Records - You can also order

  • Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail. Order Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records or Death Records.

    Cost: A fee of $15 is charged for each name searched in a five-year period, regardless of the search results as per G.S. 130A-93.1. If the record is located, one certified or uncertified copy of the record will be provided at no additional cost. Additional copies of the same record, when requested at the same time, are $5 each. These fees are for a search, regardless of the results. Search fees are not refundable. Any additional request to search in 5-year increments for records outside of the original 5-year period will cost an additional $15 fee

    Ordering Vital Records by Mail - Make certified checks and money orders should be made payable to "North Carolina Vital Records". Please do not send cash or checks. Fees are non refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service. Mail all Applications to: North Carolina Vital Records, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903. You can download an application online for Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Divorce Certificates or Death Certificates.

    Ordering Vital Records In Person: Individuals may visit the office on the first floor of the Cooper Memorial Health Building at 225 N. McDowell Street, Raleigh, N.C. between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, except on state government holidays. Parking is available on the north (Lane Street) side of the Cooper Building. Customers should bring a valid photo ID and non-refundable $15 search fee for each request. Copies of the same certificate are $5 if requested at the same time. You will be asked to fill out an application upon arrival or you may bring a completed one with you (see above for required forms). Walk-in requests for same day service are subject to an additional $15 expedited services fee and will usually be fulfilled in about one hour. Customers are encouraged to leave completed requests forms with us for a mailed response to avoid the extra fee for same day services.

    Below is a list of online resources for Watauga County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Watauga County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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    Watauga County Census Records

    See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Links for North Carolina

    Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

    Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Watauga County, North Carolina are 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Watauga County, North Carolina are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.

    Below is a list of online resources for Watauga County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Watauga County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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    Watauga County Military Records

    See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in North Carolina

    There are a few online military record databases which include: North Carolina Volunteers, Spanish American War, North Carolina Revolutionary War Soldiers.

    Below is a list of online resources for Watauga County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Watauga County Military Records by clicking the link below:

    Watauga County Tax Records

    for Watauga County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Watauga County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

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    Watauga County Cemeteries & Graveyards

    See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for North Carolina

    There are many churches and cemeteries in Watauga County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Watauga County Tombstone Transcription Project. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches and cemeteries free for viewing or download here.

    Below is a list of online resources for Watauga County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Watauga County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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    County Church & Bible Records

    See Also Research In Church Records or Statewide Church & Bible Links for North Carolina

     

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    Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

     

    Below is a list of online resources for Watauga County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Watauga County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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