Marriage license · North Carolina
How to Get a Marriage License in North Carolina
Everything North Carolina couples need — fee, waiting period, ID requirements, where to apply, how long the license stays valid, and what happens after the wedding.
At a glance
| License fee | $60 |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | None |
| License valid for | 60 days |
| Minimum age | 18 (16 with consent) |
| ID required | Photo ID + Social Security number |
| Blood test | No |
| Witnesses | 2 |
| Apply online | Yes (varies by county) |
| Where to apply | Any County Register of Deeds |
Step-by-step
- Decide where to apply. In North Carolina, you apply at any county register of deeds.
- Gather your documents. Bring photo id + social security number for both partners.
- Apply online or in person. Most North Carolina offices charge $60 per license.
- Wait the required none. There's no waiting period — you can use the license the same day.
- Use the license within 60 days. After it expires you'll need to apply (and pay) again.
- Have it signed. 2 witness(es) must sign at the ceremony.
- Return the signed license. Your officiant files it with the issuing office; you'll receive a certified marriage certificate within a few weeks.
When should you apply in North Carolina?
The two dates that matter are the issue date and the expiration. A North Carolina license is good for 60 days. Working backwards from your wedding day:
| Timing | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2–3 months out | Confirm the office hours and appointment rules for any county register of deeds. Check whether your officiant must be registered in North Carolina. |
| Earliest you can apply | 60 days before the ceremony (any earlier and it expires). |
| Sweet spot | 2–4 weeks before the wedding — no wait required, but leaves time to fix a name or document error. |
| Wedding week | Possible in North Carolina, but any document problem becomes an emergency. |
| After the ceremony | Officiant files the license; order 2–3 certified copies for name changes. |
What it actually costs to get legally married in North Carolina
The license is only part of the legal cost. Here's the realistic total for a North Carolina couple doing the paperwork properly:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $60 |
| Certified copies of the certificate (order 2–3) | $10–$25 each |
| Courthouse or civil ceremony fee | $25–$100 |
| Independent officiant (if you hire one) | $200–$800 |
| Name change filing (Social Security is free; state ID/passport are not) | $0–$190 |
Everything else — venue, catering, photography — sits outside the legal paperwork. See average wedding costs by city for what the celebration itself runs.
After the wedding: certificates and name changes in North Carolina
- Confirm the license was filed. Call the issuing office 2–3 weeks after the wedding if you haven't received anything.
- Order certified copies. Photocopies aren't accepted for name changes — you need certified copies with the raised seal or official stamp. Two or three is the practical number.
- Social Security first. File Form SS-5 with a certified certificate. It's free, and every other agency checks against it.
- North Carolina driver's license or state ID next. Most states require you to update within 30 days of the Social Security change.
- Passport, banks, employer, insurance, voter registration. Passport renewal is free within one year of issuance, otherwise $130–$190.
Mistakes North Carolina couples make
- Applying too early. A North Carolina license expires after 60 days. Apply outside that window and you pay twice.
- Names that don't match. The name on your license must match your ID exactly — nicknames and missing middle names cause reissues.
- An unregistered officiant. Confirm your officiant is authorized to solemnize marriages in North Carolina before booking.
- Ordering only one certified copy. Agencies keep them; you'll be reordering for weeks.
Important notes for North Carolina
Some counties accept online applications; final issuance is in person.
Wedding costs in North Carolina
Once the paperwork is handled, here's what weddings actually cost in North Carolina metros:
- Average wedding cost in Charlotte — $32,000 average, $140 per guest
- Average wedding cost in Raleigh-Durham — $31,000 average, $140 per guest
Common questions specific to North Carolina
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a marriage license cost in North Carolina?
- In North Carolina the marriage license fee is $60. Budget another $10–$25 per certified copy of the marriage certificate afterwards.
- Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in North Carolina?
- No — North Carolina has no waiting period. The license can be used the same day it's issued.
- How long is a North Carolina marriage license valid?
- A North Carolina marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
- Can you apply for a marriage license online in North Carolina?
- Yes — many North Carolina counties accept online applications, though final issuance typically requires an in-person visit.
- Do you need witnesses to get married in North Carolina?
- Yes — North Carolina requires 2 witness(es) to sign the marriage license at the ceremony.
- Do you need a blood test to get married in North Carolina?
- No — North Carolina does not require a blood test. No US state has required one since 2019.
- Can out-of-state couples get married in North Carolina?
- Yes. North Carolina issues marriage licenses to non-residents, and the marriage is recognized in all 50 states. Apply at any county register of deeds and allow for the same-day issuance.
- What's the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
- The license is the permission you get before the wedding — in North Carolina it costs $60 and is valid for 60 days. The certificate is the proof issued after the signed license is filed, and it's what you use for name changes.
- How many certified copies of the marriage certificate should you order in North Carolina?
- Two or three. Social Security, the North Carolina DMV, and passport services each want to see a certified copy, and some agencies keep them.
Marriage license guides for other states