- The premarital physical is no longer required.
- Both applicants must provide their Social Security Card or provide proof of their Social Security number. Applicants may present a Social Security Card or a W-2 Form or a company pay stub with name and number for verification.
- An alien admitted to the United States for permanent residence or to engage in employment must be issued a Social Security number. Applicants who are not eligible for a Social Security number may obtain a marriage license by signing an affidavit attesting to this fact. The Affidavit can be printed from the website or is available at the Register of Deeds Office.
- For applicants ages 16 or 17. Any applicant who is age 16 or 17 must provide a certified copy of their birth certificate. And the age difference between the applicants can be no more than four years. A written consent is required (per NCGS 51-2) by either a certified copy of a North Carolina district court order authorizing the marriage or a parents consent that is available at the Register of Deeds and must be signed in the presence of the Register of Deeds by the appropriate person, agency or institution, which could be: a parent with full custody, both parents with joint custody, by a person, agency, or institution having legal custody or serving as a legal guardian of the underage party.
PLEASE NOTE: Legal documentation of custody or legal guardianship must be presented. It is unlawful for anyone under the age of 16 to be married in North Carolina.(NCGS 51-2)
- Divorced applicants must provide the month and year the divorce was finalized. Applicants recently divorced (within the last year) must present an original or certified copy of the divorce decree. There is no waiting period between the divorce and applying for the new license.
- The license is good immediately upon issuance and is valid for 60 days in the state of NC. It must be returned to the Register of Deeds’ Office in the county in which it was issued within 10 days of the marriage ceremony.
- The fee for the marriage license is $60.00. Payable by cash, check, or credit card.
- Marriage licenses are issued between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Applicants should be in our office prior to 4:00 p.m.
- If you plan to be married by the magistrate, the fee will be $50.00, cash payments only. Please contact their office for information regarding office hours or the ceremony.
- If you need a copy of your marriage license, you may obtain it at the office, in person, online, or by mail. Certified copies are $10.00 each. Please be sure to sign your request if the request is sent by mail; along with a copy of your unexpired driver's license or other photo I. D.
- To speed up the processing time of your marriage license, you may print out the Work Sheet for Preparation of Marriage License Form and bring the completed form to the Register of Deeds Office with you.
- If both applicants cannot come to the Register of Deed Office, one may complete the Affidavit in Lieu of Personal Appearance. This form must be properly notarized and brought to our office with the second applicant. Both applicants CANNOT send in the form for issuance of licenses.
