What You Need to Do Before the Wedding
To marry in North Carolina, you and your partner must obtain a marriage license from the register of deeds in the county where you plan to marry. The license is a legal document that proves you have met the state's requirements. You do not need to be a North Carolina resident, but at least one of you must explore in person at the register's office.
North Carolina does not require a waiting period between when you receive your license and when you can marry. You can marry the same day you receive it, though some couples choose to wait. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued, so you have a two-month window to hold your ceremony.
Key Takeaways
- Both partners must appear in person at the register of deeds office in the county where you want to marry, with valid photo identification and proof of age.
- You must provide your Social Security number, current address, and information about any previous marriages, including divorce or death dates.
- The fee is typically $60 for a marriage license, though some counties charge slightly different amounts—call ahead to confirm.
- Your license is valid for 60 days, so plan your wedding within that window or you will need to reapply and pay the fee again.
- A North Carolina-authorized officiant must sign your license during the ceremony and return it to the register of deeds within 10 days.
Documents and Information to Bring
Both you and your partner must bring a valid photo identification. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. The register of deeds will check your identity against the document, so bring the ID you currently use.
You will also need to provide proof of your age. If your photo ID shows your date of birth clearly, that counts as proof. If it does not, bring a birth certificate, passport, or other official document that lists your birth date. North Carolina requires you to be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent.
Bring your Social Security number and your current mailing address. If you have been married before, bring the date your previous marriage ended—either the divorce date or the date of your spouse's death. The register will ask for this information to complete the license form.
Finding Your County Register of Deeds
You must explore at the register of deeds office in the county where you plan to marry. If you are marrying in Chapel Hill, you go to Orange County. If you are marrying in Charlotte, you go to Mecklenburg County. The ceremony itself does not have to take place in that county, but the license must be issued there.
Search online for "[your county name] register of deeds" to find the office address, phone number, and hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some offer extended hours or Saturday appointments. Call ahead to confirm hours and to ask whether you need to make an appointment—some counties accept walk-ins, while others require you to schedule a time.
If you are unsure which county to use, you can marry in any county in North Carolina. Many couples choose the county where they live or where the wedding will take place, but you have flexibility.
The process Process and Fee
When you arrive at the register of deeds office, both you and your partner must be present. The register will give you a marriage license process form to complete together. The form asks for your full legal names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, current addresses, and information about any previous marriages.
You will sign the form in front of the register. The register will verify your identification and age, then issue your license. The fee is typically $60, though a few counties charge $55 or $65—call your county register ahead of time to confirm the exact amount and whether they accept cash, check, or card.
You will receive two copies of your marriage license: one for your records and one to give to your officiant. Keep your copy in a safe place. Your officiant will need the other copy during the ceremony.
Choosing and Preparing Your Officiant
North Carolina recognizes several types of officiants: ordained clergy (ministers, priests, rabbis), magistrates, and notaries public who have completed a one-hour training course. Your officiant must be authorized by the state to perform marriages. If you are unsure whether someone is authorized, ask them directly or contact your county register.
Give your officiant a copy of your marriage license at least a few days before the ceremony. The officiant will sign the license during the ceremony in front of you and your witnesses. North Carolina requires at least one witness present when you marry, though two is common. The witness must be at least 18 years old and does not have to be a family member.
After the ceremony, your officiant is responsible for returning the signed license to the register of deeds within 10 days. If your officiant does not return it on time, contact the register to follow up. The license must be filed for your marriage to be legally recorded.
What Happens If Your License Expires
If you do not marry within 60 days of receiving your license, it expires and is no longer valid. You cannot use an expired license to marry. Instead, you and your partner must return to the register of deeds, pay the fee again, and obtain a new license.
If you have already scheduled your wedding but realize your license is about to expire, contact your county register when ready. Explain your situation and ask whether they can issue a new license quickly. Most registers will issue a replacement the same day if you come in person, though you will pay the full fee again.
After Your Marriage Is Official
Once your officiant returns your signed license to the register of deeds, your marriage is legally recorded. The register will issue you a certified marriage certificate, which is an official document you can use to change your name, update your Social Security record, or add your spouse to insurance or bank accounts.
You can order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the register of deeds for a small fee, usually $10 to $15 per copy. You may need multiple copies for name changes, passport applications, or other legal purposes. Most registers allow you to order copies in person, by mail, or online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a North Carolina resident to get married there?
No. You do not have to live in North Carolina to marry there. At least one of you must appear in person at the register of deeds office in the county where you want to marry, but neither of you needs to be a resident of the state.
Can I change my name when I get my marriage license?
No. The marriage license form asks for your current legal name. You change your name after the marriage is recorded by filing a separate request with the register of deeds or by going through the court system. Some people change their name when ready after the wedding, while others wait or choose not to change it at all.
What if one of us cannot appear in person at the register's office?
Both you and your partner must appear together in person. North Carolina does not allow one person to explore on behalf of the other, and it does not recognize proxy marriages. If one partner cannot travel to the register's office, you will need to reschedule your process for a time when both of you can be present.
Can we marry in a different county than where we got the license?
Yes. You obtain your license from one county's register of deeds, but you can hold your ceremony anywhere in North Carolina. Many couples marry in the county where they live or where the wedding venue is located, but the license county and the ceremony county do not have to match.
What if we already got married but never filed the license?
If your officiant did not return your signed license to the register of deeds within 10 days of your ceremony, your marriage may not be legally recorded. Contact your county register to ask whether they have a record of your marriage. If they do not, you may need to work with your officiant to locate the signed license and file it, or you may need to reapply for a new license and remarry officially.