 NC Wedding Officiants 
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Marriage Laws 
United States
North Carolina Wedding Officiants
Marriage license Laws in the state of North Carolina, here is what you need to bring with you, and what you need to know about the North Carolina marriage laws before filling out the North Carolina marriage license form.
In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. This is the document in your state that allows you to officially tie the knot under the law. The rules for acquiring your marriage license varies from state to state, so you should check with your city's marriage bureau at your clerk of court's office to find out what your local rules are.
You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least one month before your wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth certificates, tax information, and other official documents. You don't, however, want to apply for your marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses do expire, if you don't get married within a few months.
When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, and will need to pay a nominal fee. You will also need to have a witness when you sign the application, so plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to write that name on the application.
And, believe it or not, just because you have your marriage license sent to you in the mail does not mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your chaplain your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation.
ID Requirement: Picture ID is required of each, i.e. Drivers License or certified copy of Birth Certificate.
Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of North Carolina.
If Divorced: If the bride or groom has been divorced, he or she must know the month and year of the last divorce. If there has been a divorce within the last 60 days, the state requires a copy of the divorce decree signed by the judge.
Application Requirement: 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. Affidavit forms are available in the Register of Deeds Office.
North Carolina law requires all applicants to show proof of a Social Security number, or documentary proof of their Social Security number, i.e. W-2 form, payroll stub, or a statement from the Social Security Office stating their Social Security number.
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.
Under 18: All applicants, including those not present, must provide a form of identification.
• Applicants 21 and over may use a valid driver's license, valid Military I.D, State ID, passport or certified birth certificate.
• Applicants 18 to 20 must present a certified copy of their birth certificate. Applicants 16 and 17 must present a consent form signed by the parent, individual, agency or institution having legal custody or serving as the legal guardian of the underage party. A certified copy of the birth certificate is also required. The consent form must be notarized.
• Applicants 14 and 15 must provide a certified copy of the court order authorizing the marriage. A certified copy of the birth certificate is also required.
A marriage license may not be issued to applicants under 14 years of age.
Fees: $50 - Cash Only.
Waiting Period: No waiting period.
Blood Tests: No tests.
Marriage Ceremony: Marriage ceremonies may be either religious or civil.
• A religious ceremony is performed by an ordained minister.
• A civil ceremony is conducted by a magistrate, the only civil officer authorized to perform marriages.
There must be two witnesses at any marriage ceremony, whether it is civil or religious.
Common Law Marriage: Common law marriage, which is recognized in some states, involves a couple living together and holding themselves out to everyone as man and wife. Even though there is no marriage ceremony or certificate, this marriage is considered valid in those states that recognize common law marriage. North Carolina is not one of those states, and no amount of living together in this state can result in a valid marriage, without a valid marriage ceremony.
Cousin Marriage: Yes. First cousins MAY marry, but DOUBLE first cousins may not. Double first cousins are very rare, as the couple have to be related as cousins through both parents.
Same Sex Marriage: No.
Officiants: Any ordained minister of any faith who is authorized to perform marriages by his church may do so. Ministers must complete the marriage license and return it to the register of deeds who issued it.
Valid: License is valid for 60 days.
The license can only be used within the State of North Carolina.
Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.
It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license office or county clerk before making any wedding or travel plans.
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To notify us of corrections or additions send an email to update@usmarriagelaws.com. Please include the state and county information.
North Carolina Clerk's Office
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Alamance County Graham, NC 336.570.6565 Alexander County Taylorsville, NC 828.632.3152 Alleghany County Sparta, NC 336.372.4342 Anson County Wadesboro, NC 704.694.3212 Ashe County Jefferson, NC 336.246.1841 Avery County Newland, NC 828.733.8260 Beaufort County Washington, NC 252.946.2323 Bertie County Windsor, NC 252.794.5309 Bladen County Elizabeth Town, NC 910.862.6710 Brunswick County Bolivia, NC 910.253.4429 Buncombe County Ashville, NC 828.255.5642 Burke County Morganton, NC 828.438.5450 Cabarrus County Concord, NC 704.788.8112 Caldwell County Lenoir, NC 828.757.1310 Camden County Camden, NC 252.335.4077 Carteret County Beaufort, NC 252.728.8474 Caswell County Yanceville, NC 336.694.4193 Catawba County Newton, NC 828.465.1573 Chatham County Pittsboro, NC 919.542.8235 Cherokee County Murphy, NC 828.837.2613 Chowan County Edenton, NC 252.482.2619 Clay County Hayesville, NC 828.389.0087 Cleveland County Shelby, NC 704.484.4834 Columbus County Whiteville, NC 910.640.6625 Craven County New Bern, NC 252.636.6617 Cumberland County Fayetteville, NC 910.678.7775 Currituck County Currituck, NC 252.232.3297 Dare County Manteo, NC 252.473.3438 Davidson County Lexington, NC 336.474.2643 Davie County Mocksville, NC 704.634.2513 Duplin County Kenansville, NC 910.296.2108 Durham County Durham, NC 919.560.0480 Edgecombe County Tarboro, NC 252.641.7924 |
Forsyth County Winston-Salem, NC 336.727.2259 Franklin County Louisburg, NC 919.496.3500 Gaston County Gastonia, NC 704.866.3181 Gates County Gatesville, NC 252.357.0850 Graham County Robbinsville, NC 828.479.7971 Granville County Oxford, NC 919.693.6314 Greene County Snow Hill, NC 252.747.3620 Guilford County Greensboro, NC 336.373.7556 Halifax County Halifax, NC 252.583.2101 Harnett County Lillington, NC 910.893.7540 Haywood County Waynesville, NC 828.452.6635 Henderson County Hendersonville, NC 828.697.4901 Hertford County Winton, NC 252.358.7850 Hyde County Swanquarter, NC 252.926.3011 Iredell County Statesville, NC 704.872.7468 Jackson County Sylva, NC 828.586.7532 Johnston County Smithfield, NC 919.989.5160 Jones County Trenton, NC 252.448.2551 Lee County Sanford, NC 919.774.4821 Lenior County Kinston, NC 252.559.6420 Lincoln County Lincolnton, NC 704.736.8530 Macon County Franklin, NC 828.349.2095 Madison County Marshall, NC 828.649.3131 Martin County Williamston, NC 252.792.1683 Mc Dowell County Marion, NC 828.652.4727 Mecklenburg County Charlotte, NC 704.336.2443 Mitchell County Bakersville, NC 828.688.2139 Montgomery County Troy, NC 910.576.4271 Moore County Carthage, NC 910.947.-6370 Nash County Nashville, NC 252.459.9836 New Hanover County Wilmington, NC 910.341.4531 Northampton County Jackson, NC 252.534.2511 Onslow County Jacksonville, NC 910.347.3451 |
Orange County Hillsborough, NC 919.732.8181 Pamlico County Bayboro, NC 252.745.4421 Pasquotank County Elizabeth City, NC 252.335.4367 Pender County Burgaw, NC 910.259.1225 Perquimans County Hertford, NC 252.426.5660 Person County Roxboro, NC 336.597.7221 Pitt County Greenville, NC 252.830.4130 Polk County Columbus, NC 828.894.8450 Randolph County Asheboro, NC 336.318.6960 Richmond County Rockingham, NC 910.997.8250 Robeson County Lumberton, NC 910.671.3045 Rockingham County Wentworth, NC 336.342.8820 Rowan County Salisbury, NC 704.638.3102 Rutherford County Rutherfordton, NC 828.287.6155 Sampson County Clinton, NC 910.592.8026 Scotland County Laurinburg, NC 910.277.2575 Stanly County Albemarle, NC 704.983.7235 Stokes County Dan Bury, NC 336.593.2811 Surry County Dobson, NC 336.366.8150 Swain County Bryson City, NC 828.488.9273 Transylvania County Brevard, NC 828.884.3162 Tyrell County Columbia, NC 252.796.2901 Union County Monroe, NC 704.283.3843 Vance County Henderson, NC 252.438.4155 Wake County Raleigh, NC 919.856.5460 Warren County Warrenton, NC 252.257.3265 Washington County Plymouth, NC 252.793.2325 Watauga County Boone, NC 828.265.8052 Wayne County Goldsboro, NC 919.731.1449 Wilkes County Wilkesboro, NC 336.838.2052 Wilson County Wilson, NC 252.399.2935 Yadkin County Yadkinville, NC 336.679.4225 Yancey County Burnsville, NC 828.682.2174 |
To notify us of corrections or additions send an email to update@usmarriagelaws.com. Please include the state and county information.