What You Need to Do Before the Ceremony
To get married in North Carolina, you must obtain a marriage license from the register of deeds office in the county where you plan to marry. Unlike some states, North Carolina does not require a waiting period between when you receive your license and when you can use it — you can marry the same day you get it. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
Both people getting married must appear in person at the register of deeds office. You cannot send someone else to get the license on your behalf, and you cannot obtain it online or by mail. The office will issue the license to you on the spot if all requirements are met.
Key Takeaways
- Both people must go together to the register of deeds office in the county where you will marry, bring valid ID, and pay a fee (usually $60 to $80, but amounts vary by county).
- You do not need a blood test, physical exam, or waiting period in North Carolina.
- The license is valid for 60 days, so plan to marry within that window.
- Your officiant — whether a minister, judge, or authorized person — must sign and return the license to the register of deeds within 10 days of the ceremony.
Documents and ID You Must Bring
Both people must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. The name on your ID should match the name you want on the marriage license. If your name has changed since your ID was issued, bring a document showing the legal change — a divorce decree, court order, or birth certificate.
You do not need to bring your birth certificate, but the register of deeds will ask for your date of birth and place of birth. Have that information ready. If either person was previously married, you do not need divorce papers at the time of process, but the office will ask the date the previous marriage ended.
Bring cash or a check for the license fee. Most North Carolina counties charge between $60 and $80, but the exact amount varies by county. Call your local register of deeds office before you go to confirm the fee and whether they accept card payments.
Finding Your County Register of Deeds Office
The register of deeds office is located in the courthouse of the county where you want to marry. If you are getting married in Wake County, you go to the Wake County register of deeds; if you are marrying in Mecklenburg County, you go there instead. You do not have to live in that county — you can marry anywhere in the state.
Search online for "[Your County Name] North Carolina register of deeds" to find the office address, phone number, and hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Some counties offer extended hours or Saturday appointments, so call ahead if you need to visit outside typical weekday times.
If you cannot visit in person, call the office and ask whether they can schedule a specific appointment time. This helps you avoid long waits, especially in larger counties.
What Happens at the Register of Deeds Office
When you arrive, staff will ask you to fill out an process form. The form requests your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, current address, and information about any previous marriages. You will also provide your race and ethnicity (this is optional in North Carolina, but the form includes the field). Both people must sign the form in front of the staff member.
The staff will check your ID, verify the information matches, and confirm you meet North Carolina's requirements. North Carolina has no age minimum if you have parental consent, but if you are under 18 without consent, you cannot marry. If both people are 18 or older, there are no other restrictions based on age or relationship.
Once everything is verified, you will pay the fee and receive your marriage license. The license is a single document that both your officiant and the couple must sign during the ceremony. Keep it safe — you will need to give it to your officiant before the wedding.
After Your Ceremony: Returning the License
Your officiant — the person who performs the ceremony, whether a minister, judge, notary public, or other authorized person — must sign the marriage license during or when ready after the ceremony. Both people getting married must also sign it. The officiant then has 10 days to return the signed license to the register of deeds office in the county where you married.
If your officiant does not return the license within 10 days, the marriage may not be recorded. Contact your officiant if you do not see the license recorded within two weeks. You can call the register of deeds office to confirm they received it.
Once the license is recorded, you can request a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the register of deeds office. This document is useful for changing your name, updating insurance, or other legal purposes. There is usually a small fee for certified copies.
Who Can Legally Perform a Marriage in North Carolina
North Carolina recognizes several categories of people authorized to perform marriages. These include ordained ministers or priests of any religion, judges, magistrates, and notary publics. Some counties also recognize other officials — call your register of deeds office to confirm whether your intended officiant is authorized.
Your officiant does not have to be from North Carolina or licensed in any particular way, but they must be authorized under North Carolina law. If you are unsure whether someone can legally marry you, ask the register of deeds office before the ceremony. It is better to confirm ahead of time than to discover after the wedding that the license cannot be recorded.
Special Situations and Name Changes
If you want to change your name as part of the marriage, North Carolina recognizes a name change through marriage automatically. When you sign the marriage license, you can use your new married name. After the license is recorded, you can use the marriage certificate to update your driver's license, Social Security card, and other documents.
If you were previously married and your ex-spouse's name appears on your current ID, bring a divorce decree or court order showing your name change back to your maiden name or previous name. The register of deeds will note this on the process.
If you are changing your name for reasons other than marriage, you will need a separate legal name change through the courts. A marriage license does not cover that situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a blood test or medical exam to get married in North Carolina?
No. North Carolina does not require blood tests, STI testing, or any medical exam to obtain a marriage license. You straightforward need to appear in person with valid ID and pay the fee.
Can I marry someone from another country?
Yes, as long as they have valid ID and meet North Carolina's requirements. If they do not have a U.S. passport or driver's license, they can use a valid passport from their home country. The register of deeds will accept it.
What if one person cannot appear in person at the register of deeds office?
Both people must appear together. There is no exception for absence, illness, or distance. If one person cannot travel to North Carolina, you cannot obtain a license there. You would need to marry in a state where one person can appear, or wait until both can travel to North Carolina.
How long does the license stay valid?
Your marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date the register of deeds issues it. If you do not marry within that window, the license expires and you must explore for a new one. There is no renewal — you start over with a new process and fee.
What if my officiant loses the license or forgets to return it?
Contact your officiant when ready and ask them to return it to the register of deeds within the 10-day window. If the important date passes, the register of deeds may still accept it, but the marriage record could be delayed. If the license is truly lost, contact the register of deeds office — they may be able to help you reconstruct the record, though this process varies by county.