How To Get Married in North Carolina – A Relaxed, Simple Guide for Couples

Planning to get married in North Carolina and feeling a little overwhelmed by where to begin? That is totally normal. Let’s grab a virtual coffee together and walk through the process of getting married in North Carolina step by step. When we’re finished you’ll see just how simple and stress-free the process can be.

Getting Your Marriage License in North Carolina

Before all the happy tears and dancing, you’ll need a marriage license, which is just the legal aspect that turns your celebration into an official marriage.

A few things to know right away:

• You need to get your license from a Register of Deeds office in any NC county
• Your NC marriage license is valid for 60 days
• You can use it anywhere in the state, not just in the county where you applied

So you might apply in one county, have your ceremony in another, and still be totally fine. The key is just making sure the timing works with your wedding date, and not allowing the application to expire after the 60 days.

What You Need To Bring

You might be wondering, “What do you need to get married in North Carolina?” Let’s keep it simple and make a little checklist you can literally copy + paste into your notes app.
Most counties will ask you both to show up in person with:

• Valid photo ID – like a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID
• Social Security number – some counties may ask to see your card or a document with the number
• License fee – usually around $60, so bring cash or card depending on the county rules
• Previous marriage info – month and year your last marriage ended, if that is applicable

These are your core requirements to get married in North Carolina from the legal side. No blood test, no medical exam, no weird questions. Just proof you are who you say you are and that you’re free to marry.

Who Can Get Married in NC

For most couples, this part is very straightforward, but it still helps to know the basics.
To get married in NC, you need to:

• Be 18 or older to marry without extra consent
• Not already be married to someone else
• Not be closely related to your partner

You don’t have to live here to get married in North Carolina. So if you’re dreaming of an NC wedding but live out of state, you’re still welcome to come here, pick up the marriage license that NC offers, and plan your celebration.

Where to Apply

Your next big question is probably where to actually go. You’ll apply for your marriage license at the Register of Deeds office in any county in North Carolina.
A few things that make life easier:

• Many NC counties let you apply for marriage license online by starting the application on their website
• You still need to appear in person to show ID and sign, but the online form can speed things up

You’ll also see the phrase “NC register of deeds marriage license” on official pages. That’s just the state’s formal way of describing this same license you’re using to get married.

Who Can Officiate Your Ceremony

Once you’ve got the license, you’ll need someone to legally marry you.
In North Carolina, your ceremony can be performed by:

• An ordained minister or religious officiant
• A minister authorized by a church
• A magistrate (this is your courthouse wedding option)
• An officiant acting under a federally or state-recognized Native American tribe

You’ll also need two adult witnesses at your ceremony to sign your license. So if you’re planning an elopement, don’t forget to factor that in.

A few officiants I personally recommend are Weddings By Joshua, Personal Ceremonies of NC, and Weddings By Heidi.

If you’re doing a courthouse wedding, you might find yourself Googling the best courthouse to get married in North Carolina. Honestly, they all get the job done legally. The “best” one is usually the one that fits your vibe: nice light for photos, easy parking, and appointment times that work with your schedule.

What Happens on the Big Day

You must bring your NC Marriage License on your wedding day, but it shouldn’t add stress. It’s just one more thing to bring, like rings or vows.
Here’s how it usually goes:

• You bring the marriage license you picked up from the Register of Deeds in North Carolina
• Your officiant checks everything is filled out correctly
• You both sign the license
• Your two witnesses sign as well
  This usually takes place directly after the ceremony. At that point, the legal part is done. Then it’s time to eat and party! That’s the part I’m there to capture while you focus on each other and the people surrounding you who are so excited to celebrate your marriage.

After the Wedding: Making It All Official

After you’ve celebrated and maybe kicked your shoes off at the end of the night, there are a couple of final steps that need to take place to make sure you’re legally married.
First, the license needs to go back to the Register of Deeds office that issued it. Usually your officiant takes care of this for you, either by mail or dropping it off. Once the county records it, your marriage is fully official in the state’s eyes.
Then, you can request certified copies of your marriage certificate. These are the documents you’ll use if you’re changing your name or updating details with:

• Social Security
• Your driver’s license
• Passport
• Bank accounts and workplace records
  If one of you is planning a name change, your marriage certificate is usually all you need. No dramatic court process, just a little paperwork and patience.

From there, you’re not just getting married North Carolina style—you are married. The license is done, the legal boxes are ticked, and you get to focus on the good stuff: building your life together, reminiscing over your photos, and reliving the moments that made your day feel like pure magic.

FAQs

1. How do we get a marriage license in North Carolina?

To get a marriage license North Carolina requires, you and your partner usually both go in person to any county Register of Deeds office with valid photo ID, your Social Security numbers, and the license fee (often around $60). Some counties let you start the process online, but you’ll still need to appear in person to sign before you can get married in NC.

2. What do you need to get married in North Carolina legally?

To be legally married, you need a valid NC marriage license, an authorized officiant (like a magistrate or ordained minister), and two adult witnesses at your ceremony. You must meet the age and relationship rules, hold the wedding within North Carolina, and make sure the completed license is returned to the Register of Deeds for recording.

3. Can we get married the same day we get our marriage license in NC?

In most cases, yes. There’s usually no waiting period for a marriage license NC issues, so you can pick up your license and get married in North Carolina on the same day, as long as you have your officiant and two witnesses ready to go and your ceremony happens within the license’s valid dates.

I hope you enjoyed this blog on How to Get Married in North Carolina! At the end of the day, wedding planning can be stressful, so I hope this guide helps. If you’re specifically getting married/getting your license in Winston Salem (Forsyth County), you can check out my blog for step by step instructions on getting your marriage license. Whether you’re getting married in Winston, Greensboro, Raleigh, or somewhere else in North Carolina, these tips should help the process go a little smoother.

If you are a photographer, a wedding vendor, or a couple getting married soon and have questions about this post please feel free to DM me on Instagram, I’d love to help!! I hope you enjoyed this free resource for your wedding planning!

– Elsa

Elsa Judkins Photography is based in Winston Salem, NC. She specializes in wedding photography for couples who are seeking a romantic and elegant wedding day. Elsa preserves those intimate and candid moments on one of the biggest days of your life so you can relive your day through timeless images.

Please reach out HERE if you’d like to learn more about my wedding photography in Winston Salem, Greensboro, Raleigh, and surrounding areas in North Carolina. I offer wedding day coverage, engagement sessions, albums, and more! Inquire to receive a custom quote for your wedding.

• Summer Garden Elopement in Winston Salem
• How To Get Married in North Carolina – A Relaxed, Simple Guide for Couples
• The Best Wedding Venues in Winston Salem
• Top 8 Spots for Engagement Photos in Winston Salem NC
• Downtown Raleigh Engagement Session

Search

Search