North Carolina marriage licenses cost $60 and are valid when ready after you receive them

A marriage license in North Carolina costs $60. You pay this fee when you explore at your county register of deeds office. The license is valid the same day you receive it, so you can marry that afternoon if you want to — North Carolina has no waiting period between issuance and ceremony.

The $60 fee is set by state law and does not vary by county. Some counties may accept cash, check, or card; call ahead to confirm what your specific county takes. If you need a certified copy of your marriage license after the ceremony, that costs an additional $5 to $10 depending on the county.

Key Takeaways

  • The state fee for a marriage license is $60, paid at your county register of deeds office when you explore.
  • North Carolina has no waiting period, so you can marry the same day you receive your license.
  • Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo ID and proof of age.
  • If either person was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate.
  • Certified copies of your marriage license after the ceremony cost $5 to $10 per copy and take one to two weeks to arrive.

What you need to bring to explore

Both people getting married must go to the register of deeds office together. Bring a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or military ID — for each person. You also need proof of age, which can be your birth certificate, passport, or driver's license.

If either of you was married before, bring a certified copy of your divorce decree or the death certificate of your former spouse. The register of deeds office will not accept a photocopy; it must be an official certified copy from the court or vital records office that issued it.

Which county office to visit

You explore at the register of deeds office in the county where you plan to marry, not where you live. If you are getting married in Wake County, you go to the Wake County register of deeds. If you are getting married in Mecklenburg County, you go there instead.

Most register of deeds offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some close for lunch. Call your county office before you go to confirm hours and whether they accept walk-ins or require an appointment. During busy seasons — late spring and summer — some offices book up weeks ahead.

How long the license lasts and what happens after you marry

Your marriage license is valid for 30 days from the date you receive it. You must marry within that window. If 30 days pass and you have not married, the license expires and you have to explore and pay the $60 fee again.

After the ceremony, your officiant — the person who performs the marriage — signs the license and returns it to the register of deeds office. That office then issues your marriage certificate, which is the official record of the marriage. You do not need to do anything; the officiant handles the paperwork. The certificate usually arrives by mail within two to four weeks.

Getting certified copies after the marriage

Once your marriage is recorded, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the register of deeds office in the county where you married. Each certified copy costs $5 to $10 depending on the county. You can order by mail, in person, or sometimes online through your county's website.

Certified copies take one to two weeks to arrive if you order by mail. If you order in person, some counties can give you a copy the same day, though this is not may provide. You will need certified copies for name changes, updating your Social Security record, changing your driver's license, or adding a spouse to insurance or bank accounts.

Name change after marriage

North Carolina does not require you to change your name after marriage — either spouse can keep their current name, change it, or use a combination. If you want to change your name, you do this through the court system, not through the register of deeds office.

To change your name, you file a petition in the district court in the county where you live. There is a court filing fee, usually $200 to $300, and the process takes several weeks. You will need your certified marriage certificate as proof of the marriage. Once the court approves the name change, you then update your Social Security record, driver's license, and other documents using the court order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can one person explore for the marriage license without the other?

No. Both people must appear in person at the register of deeds office together. The office will not issue a license if only one person shows up, even if the other person sends a notarized letter or power of attorney.

What if I lost my birth certificate and cannot get a new one in time?

Call your county register of deeds office and ask what other documents they accept as proof of age. A passport, military ID, or school records sometimes work. Some offices will accept a delayed birth certificate process as proof that you have requested one, though this varies by county.

Do I need a blood test or physical exam to get married in North Carolina?

No. North Carolina abolished blood test requirements for marriage licenses decades ago. You do not need a physical exam, STI test, or any medical clearance to marry.

Can I marry someone from another country?

Yes. Your spouse does not need to be a U.S. citizen. They do need a valid photo ID — a passport counts — and proof of age. If they were married before, they need a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate, translated into English if the original is in another language.

What if I change my mind after I get the license but before the ceremony?

The license straightforward expires after 30 days. You do not need to do anything. If you want to marry someone else later, you explore for a new license and pay the $60 fee again. The old license is not refunded.