NC Marriage License 101
All of this information is available online; please use what I have listed below as a guideline for your own search efforts. Vows of Love can not guarantee any of the statements below. You alone are responsible for obtaining the needed license.
North Carolina Marriage Laws (Effective 10-1-2001)
Marriage license and certificates of marriage can be purchased in the local Register of Deeds office of the county in which you are getting married.
Both parties to a marriage should appear in person to obtain the license. If one of the parties is unable to appear, the other party to the marriage must appear in person and present a sworn and notarized affidavit from the other member of the party, prior to the issuance of the license.
Once the marriage has been performed and both copies of the License returned to the Register of Deeds Office, a Certificate of Marriage may be obtained upon request. Each certified certificate is currently $10.00. You may come to the Register of Deeds office, or submit a written request to:
NC Vital Records
P.O. Box 29537
Raleigh, NC 27626-0537
Phone: (919) 733-3526
Appointment Procedure:
Please contact the local Register of Deeds office of the county where you will be getting married.
What to Bring With You:
North Carolina law requires all applicants to present their Social Security Card. If a Social Security number has never been issued or the applicant is not eligible for a Social Security number, the applicant will be required to present a completed affidavit, signed and notarized, at the time of applying for the marriage license. The affidavit form is available in the Register of Deeds Office. (Check for downloadable forms online)
The Register may accept a Social Security Number from one of the following with their name and number on it if they do not have their card.
- A W-2 Form
- A paycheck stub containing the Social Security Number
- Military discharge
- Medicaid/Medicare Card
- Voter's Registration Card containing their Social Security Number.
- Health Insurance Card containing their Social Security Number
ID Requirement:
You must show proof of age in North Carolina. This can be accomplished by providing your driver's license, Military or State ID, passport or certified birth certificate.
Residency Requirement:
You do not have to be a resident of North Carolina.
Previous Marriages:
If previously married, the date of divorce or date of spouse's death must be supplied. If the divorce was within 60 days, a signed copy of the divorce decree will need to be shown.
Covenant Marriage Option:
No.
Waiting Period:
North Carolina does not have a waiting period.
Fees:
$50 - cash. This can change, so make sure to check with the County Clerk's office.
Other Tests:
North Carolina does not require you to have any blood tests or physical exams.
Proxy Marriages: No. However, only one of you can apply for the marriage license if a sworn and notarized affidavit from your absent partner is presented.
Cousin Marriages:
Yes. However, if you two have a closer relationship than being first cousins, you may not marry in North Carolina.
Common Law Marriages:
No.
