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Understanding North Carolina Marriage License Requirements

A marriage license in North Carolina is a legal document issued by the state that permits two people to marry. Before a ceremony can take place, couples must obtain this license from their county register of deeds office. The state of North Carolina has specific rules about who can marry, what documents are needed, and how long the license remains valid.

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North Carolina law allows marriage between individuals who are at least 18 years old. However, individuals who are 16 or 17 years old may marry with parental consent and a court order. The state does not recognize common-law marriages, meaning simply living together and presenting yourselves as married does not create a legal marriage.

One important detail about North Carolina marriage licenses is the waiting period. After you receive your license, you must wait one day before the ceremony can take place. This waiting period applies to all couples, with no exceptions. For example, if you obtain your license on Monday, the earliest your ceremony can occur is Tuesday. The license itself remains valid for 60 days from the date of issuance, giving you a window of time to schedule your wedding.

North Carolina recognizes marriages between same-sex couples. The requirements and procedures are the same as for different-sex couples. No distinction is made in the licensing process based on the gender or sex of either person.

The cost of a North Carolina marriage license is typically between $60 and $100, though the exact fee varies by county. Some counties may charge slightly different amounts, so calling your specific county register's office will give you the precise fee in your area.

Practical Takeaway: Before visiting the register of deeds office, understand that you'll need to wait one day after obtaining your license before marrying, and your license will be valid for 60 days from issuance. Plan your wedding date with this timeline in mind.

Documents You'll Need to Bring

When you visit your county register of deeds office to obtain a marriage license, you must bring specific documents to prove your identity and age. Having the correct documents prepared ahead of time makes the process smoother and faster. Missing documents may require a return trip to the office.

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Both individuals who plan to marry must bring a valid form of identification. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver's license, passport, military identification card, or state identification card. The ID must not be expired, as expired identification will not be accepted. A photocopy is not sufficient—you must bring the original document.

If either person has been married before, you will need to bring documentation of how that marriage ended. If your previous marriage ended in divorce, bring a certified copy of your divorce decree. If your previous spouse passed away, bring a certified copy of the death certificate. These documents prove that you are legally able to marry again. Certified copies can be obtained from the court that issued the divorce or from the county vital records office where the death was recorded.

North Carolina requires both individuals to provide their Social Security numbers. You do not need to bring a Social Security card, but you will need to know your number. If you do not know your Social Security number, you can contact the Social Security Administration or check documents like your tax return or W-2 form.

If either person is under 18 but at least 16 years old, that person must bring a certified copy of their birth certificate and a court order granting permission to marry. A parent or legal guardian must petition the court for this permission before the license can be issued. A notarized parental consent form is not sufficient—a court order is required.

You should also bring payment for the license fee. Most offices accept cash, checks, and credit or debit cards, but it's wise to call ahead to confirm what payment methods your specific county office accepts.

Practical Takeaway: Create a checklist including your ID, proof of ending any previous marriages, your Social Security number, and payment. Call your county register of deeds office to confirm the exact fee and ask about accepted payment methods before you visit.

How to Find Your County Register of Deeds Office

North Carolina has 100 counties, and each has its own register of deeds office. Your marriage license must be obtained from the register of deeds office in a North Carolina county. You do not have to marry in the county where you obtain the license, but you do need to get the license from a North Carolina county office.

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The easiest way to find your county register's office is to search online for "[Your County Name] North Carolina Register of Deeds." For example, if you live in Wake County, search for "Wake County North Carolina Register of Deeds." This will give you the office location, phone number, and often their hours of operation.

You can also visit the North Carolina Register of Deeds Association website, which provides links to many county offices. Some county websites include information about obtaining a marriage license, including the specific documents needed and fees charged.

It's helpful to call the register's office before you visit. Staff can confirm their office hours, verify the fee amount, answer questions about required documents, and let you know if you can walk in or if an appointment is needed. Some offices allow walk-ins during certain hours, while others may require appointments, especially during busy seasons like summer months.

Office hours vary by county but are typically Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Some offices may close for lunch or have limited hours on certain days. A few counties may offer extended hours on one evening per week. Calling ahead prevents a wasted trip if the office has unusual hours or is closed for a holiday.

If you are unable to visit the office in person, some counties allow another person to obtain the license on your behalf. You would provide a notarized power of attorney document, and that person would bring it along with your documents. However, both individuals who plan to marry must sign the license in person before the ceremony, so you cannot have someone else sign for you.

Practical Takeaway: Search online for your county's register of deeds office, call to confirm hours and fees, and ask whether your documents are complete. If you cannot visit in person, ask if someone can obtain the license for you using a power of attorney.

The Marriage License Application Process

The process of obtaining a marriage license in North Carolina is relatively straightforward and typically takes less than an hour at the register of deeds office. Both people who plan to marry should try to visit together, though one person can sometimes obtain the license for both with proper authorization.

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When you arrive at the register of deeds office, you'll check in with the staff. If you have an appointment, provide your confirmation information. The staff will give you a form to complete. This form asks for basic information about both people, including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, addresses, and information about any previous marriages.

The form also asks about your parents' names and information. North Carolina uses this information to maintain genealogical records, as the register of deeds office has historical responsibilities beyond marriage licensing. You'll need to provide the full names of both of your parents. If you don't know this information or were adopted, indicate that on the form.

After completing the form, a staff member will review it to ensure all required information is present and accurate. They will verify your identification documents and check that you have brought all necessary paperwork. If anything is missing or incorrect, they will point this out so you can correct it before the license is issued.

You will then pay the license fee. The staff member will provide you with the official marriage license document. This document will have spaces for the names of the two witnesses who must be present at your ceremony, as well as the officiant who performs the ceremony. You do not fill in these names at the register's office—they are added at the time of the ceremony.

At this point, the one-day waiting period begins. You cannot use this license for a ceremony until the next day. After that waiting period, the license is valid for 60 days. If you don't marry within those 60 days, the license expires and you must obtain a new one.

Practical Takeaway: Bring all documents and payment, plan to spend less than an hour at the office, and remember that you cannot marry until the day after you receive your license. If your plans change, you can always return to get a new license before the 60-day period expires.

What Happens After You Receive Your License

Once you have your marriage license, you need

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