North Carolina Marriage License

We give answers to the most relevant questions concerning to this topic. Even the small details are important while applying for a North Carolina marriage license. We stare from simple requirements and end with some essential documentation you need to have.

Make sure you read everything very carefully. Even if you miss some small steps, you won’t manage anything. Remember, that without a North Carolina marriage license you can’t get married legally in this state.

What do you need to get a North Carolina marriage license?

Each North Carolina resident or non-resident knows that without license there will be no wedding ceremony. So, not to have any delays, Follow our instructions and get your North Carolina marriage license.

Paperwork requirements

While applying for your marriage license you need to provide a set of documents. Most important of all, they should prove your age and identity. Having this documentation will make your job easier.

North Carolina requires the following paperwork: Current driver’s license/ State ID or military ID/ Birth certificate (not all states require)/ Passport/ Social Security Number proof.

Previous marriages

In case any of the partners has been in another marriage, they should present some documentation. Either it must be a divorce paper or the spouse’s death paper.

Exceptions happen when people get divorced within 60 days after the wedding. In this case they must have a copy of the divorce decree of their previous marriage.

Age requirements

In fact, if you are 18 years old or older, you can get married in North Carolina without any problems. However, for those who are 16-17 years old, there is a need of a parental written consent.

Moreover, if the applicant is 14-15 years old, he/she should receive a court order. Only after that the wedding may be legal. For applicants who are younger than 14, no legal marriage will ever occur.

Residency requirements

Anyone who wants to get married in North Carolina can no longer worry about residency. That is to say, if the applicant is a resident of another state, he/she can still get married in this state. Only, they should follow all the requirements and needs of the state marriage law.

Testing requirements

In some states applicants have to get some tests and physical examination. However, you don’t need to worry about such things. North Carolina doesn’t take any tests from the licensees. You can easily get your North Carolina marriage license without any testing process.

Where do you get a North Carolina marriage license?

In each state there are special offices where you can go and apply for your license. If you want to get your marriage license in North Carolina you can visit the Register of Deeds office. Each county has its office(s).

You should visit the office of the county, where you want to make your wedding. As far as you get your license, you can get married anywhere in the state. Only if you want to make your wedding in another state, you can’t use the North Carolina marriage license.

Who can perform the wedding ceremony?

Once you obtain your North Carolina marriage license, you need to get married within the following 60 days. To make your wedding ceremony legal, you must have a person, who can officiate it.

There is one important thing you need to take into account. Whoever you choose, the person must be either a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman. When your license will be ready, the officiant will sign it. After that the license will be sent back to the Register of Deeds office.

In North Carolina the wedding ceremony can be performed:

1. By any magistrate who is authorized by the church
2. By any priest from Native American tribe, that is recognized federally or by the state
3. By ministers (ordained) of any religious group
4. By priests or ministers that are authorized (by church)

How much is the fee for getting a North Carolina marriage license?

When you have already met all the requirements, it is time to pay to take your marriage license. Actually, in North Carolina the license fee is $60. However, there may be a little price difference in each county, as it is in case of Washington State.

Most Register of Deeds offices accept only cash payments. Yet, many offices have begun to accept payments with credit cards as well. As the license cost and payment method can change, you had better check it with the office beforehand.

Can you get married the same day you get a North Carolina marriage license?

In most of the US states there is a few days waiting period, before you can take your license. Yet, North Carolina is one of the exceptions.

It may be really good news for couples who are looking forward to their wedding. So, if needed, you can both get your marriage license and get married the same day.

How long is a marriage license good for in NC?

As we have already mentioned, North Carolina doesn’t require a waiting period to get a marriage license. Plus to that, your license will be valid for about 60 days after the purchase.

So, you can get married either the same day or within that 60-day period. However, make sure you are not late. Otherwise, after those 60 days your license will expire.

Name change

Before the couple gets into matrimony, there is another important factor. Either or both of the partners need to decide, whether they want to change their names or not.

Usually, wives take the last names of their husbands. In this case there is no need of any legal steps. It can occur during the wedding, automatically.

However, there are cases when husbands assume their wives’ last name. Moreover, there are couples who combine the last names. These two actually require a more formal process.

Same-sex marriage

This type of marriage was banned in North Carolina till the year 2014. However, on the same year the US District Court and the US Supreme Court decided to make it legal. Afterwards, those marriages became legal throughout the state.

At first, not all residents agreed with this decision. Even today, in marriage laws only the terms “Husband/male and Wife/female” are used. So, it is better to consult with a trustful attorney before making a same-gender marriage.

Common law marriage

Unlike other states, North Carolina doesn’t accept common law marriages. You can’t be legally married, if you want to get married in this way.

However, for the couple who had a common law marriage in another state there may be a chance. To clarify, the state will accept them when they move to North Carolina.