How do I get a marriage license?

County Register of Deeds (county level - each of North Carolina's 100 counties)

Step by Step

How to do it

Both applicants must appear together in person at any NC county Register of Deeds office; no appointment needed at most offices; typical hours Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; arrive by 4 PM to allow processing time; some counties accept online pre-applications to save time
Exception (absentee applicant): One party may apply absentee if unable to appear; contact the specific county ROD for the authorization process
Complete the marriage license application at the ROD office; provide required information (names, ages, marital status, Social Security numbers, etc.)
Pay the $60 fee; license issued immediately - NO waiting period; can marry same day
License valid for 60 calendar days from date of issue; ceremony must take place within NC within the 60-day window; if not used, a new license must be obtained
Two adult witnesses must attend the ceremony and sign the marriage license
Officiant (or couple) must return the completed license to the ISSUING county Register of Deeds within 10 DAYS of the ceremony; failure to return may result in a $200 fine for the officiant

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid government-issued photo ID with date of birth for both applicants (driver's license, passport, state ID, military ID); ID must be current and valid
Social Security number for both applicants (or an affidavit that applicant is not eligible for an SSN); proof may be required (SSN card, W-2, tax return, or payroll stub)
If previously married and divorced within the past year (less than 60 days in some interpretations): certified copy of divorce decree required; if divorced more than a year ago: provide the month and year of divorce
If previously married and widowed: may need to provide death certificate; check with your specific county ROD
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old; applicants under 18 require a court order or parental consent - contact the specific county ROD for minor-specific requirements

Fee

$60 (standard statewide; may vary slightly by county); certified copies of marriage certificate: typically $10 at county ROD; $24 from NC Vital Records (state)

Waiting Period

NONE - license usable immediately LICENSE VALIDITY: 60 calendar days from date of issue WITNESSES: 2 adult witnesses required at ceremony and must sign RETURN DEADLINE: 10 DAYS after ceremony; returned to ISSUING county ROD (not any other county)

Online Option

Some counties offer online pre-application; most require in-person completion; NC ROD directory at ncregisters.org or ncsos.gov

Where to Go

County Register of Deeds in any NC county (NOT the county clerk or court clerk)

County-specific variations apply

All 100 NC counties have a Register of Deeds that issues marriage licenses. Wake County (Raleigh) has multiple locations and offers online pre-application; Mecklenburg County (Charlotte), Guilford County (Greensboro/High Point), Forsyth County (Winston-Salem), Cumberland County (Fayetteville), and Durham County are the other major population centers. Rural NC counties may have limited hours and staff - call ahead. Payment methods vary: most accept cash, checks, and cards (some charge a 2% card surcharge).

North Carolina Notes

Important state-specific details

Only the County Register of Deeds issues marriage licenses in NC - not courts, not city clerks.
No waiting period; no blood test; no residency requirement.
License valid statewide but must be returned to ISSUING county ROD within 10 days.
2 witnesses required.
Assistant/deputy RODs may abstain from issuing if it violates a sincerely held religious belief (NC law).
Certified copies of marriage certificate: county ROD where license was issued ($10) or NC Vital Records in Raleigh ($24).
Common law marriage: NOT recognized in North Carolina.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

NC Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records - vitalrecords.nc.gov | (919) 733-3000; County Register of Deeds (varies); NC Association of Registers of Deeds - ncregisters.org