In North Carolina, any couple wishing to marry must comply with a series of legal requirements established by the state. Although the process is relatively simple, it's important to be clear about some aspects to avoid setbacks. 

The necessary documents, costs, who can officiate a ceremony and what happens in specific cases such as marriages between same sex couples or people without migratory status regular are some of the points to take into account.

General requirements for getting married in North Carolina

To get married in North Carolina, both parties must apply for a marriage license at a Register of Deeds office in each county. It is not mandatory that the license be obtained in the same county where the ceremony will take place.

Unlike in other states, there's no need to wait a certain period of time to formally marry once the couple receives the license. In other words, the marriage can take place immediately. However, the license is valid for 60 days. After that time, another license must be obtained in order to marry.

Minimum age to get married

The minimum age to marry in North Carolina is 18 years old.

That doesn't mean younger couples can't marry. People aged 16 or 17 can marry with the written consent of their parents or legal guardians.

>>>  North Carolina: Among the states with the highest risk for online dating

What documentation do I need?

• Identification valid with photograph, as a driver's license, passport or state identification card.
  
• Social Security number (SSN). If a person does not have an SSN, they can sign an affidavit stating that they do not have one. 
  
• If one of the parties was previously married and divorced within the last 60 days, they must submit a certified copy of the divorce decree.
  

How much does a marriage license cost?

The fee to obtain a marriage license in almost all North Carolina counties is $60. Most offices accept cash payments, and some allow debit or credit cards. It's recommended to confirm directly with the corresponding county office.

Who can officiate a ceremony?

The marriage ceremony may be officiated by an ordained minister of any religious denomination (e.g., a priest, rabbi, or minister), a minister authorized by a church, a magistrate, or a federally or state-recognized Native American Nation or tribe.

The ceremony is not required to follow a specific structure, but it must have at least two witnesses, who must sign the marriage certificate. The officiant is responsible for signing and returning the certificate to the Register of Deeds for the marriage to be legally registered.

Can I marry a person of the same sex?

Since October 2014, the same sex couples can legally marry in North Carolina. Recognition of this right was initially established by a federal ruling and upheld nationally by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015.

Same-sex couples must meet the same legal requirements as any other couple. No government office can deny them a license. In some counties, certain public employees may opt out of the process for religious reasons, but the office is obligated to ensure the license is issued.

Marriage of undocumented persons

People without legal immigration status can also marry in North Carolina. It is not required to present immigration documents, and if you do not have them social Security number, you can sign an affidavit indicating this situation. 

Generally, a foreign passport is accepted as valid identification. Some offices also accept consular cards or other official documents from the country of origin.  If applicants do not speak English, they may need to bring an interpreter, as most offices do not offer this service.

Step-by-step guide to getting legally married in North Carolina

1. Go in person to an office of the Register of Deeds in any county in the state.
   
2. Submit the corresponding documentation and start the application.
   
3. Sign the marriage license and pay the $60 fee.
   
4. Hold the ceremony within 60 days.
   
5. Ensure that the officiant submits the signed deed to the Register of Deeds.
   
6. Request a certified copy of the certificate if needed for legal, immigration, or administrative procedures.

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What does it take to get married in North Carolina?

by Nicolas Baintrub, Enlace Latino NC
August 4, 2025

Enlace Latino NCAugust 4, 2025 In North Carolina, any couple wishing to marry must meet a series of legal requirements established by the state. Although the process is relatively simple, it's important to be clear about some aspects to avoid setbacks. The necessary documents, costs, who can officiate a ceremony, and what happens in specific cases such as marriages between same-sex couples or people without legal immigration status are some of the points to consider. General requirements for getting married in North Carolina To get married in North Carolina, both parties must apply for a marriage license at a Register of Deeds office in each county. It is not mandatory that the license be obtained in the same county where the ceremony will be held. Unlike in other states, there is no need to wait a certain period of time to formally celebrate a marriage once the couple receives the license. That is, the marriage can take place immediately. However, the license is valid for 60 days. After that time, it is necessary to obtain another one in order to get married. Minimum age to get married The minimum age to marry in North Carolina is 3 years old. That doesn't mean younger couples can't get married. People aged 16 or 17 may marry with the written consent of their parents or legal guardians. >>> North Carolina: Among the states with the highest risk for online dating What documentation do I need? Valid photo ID , such as a driver's license , passport, or state ID card. Social Security Number (SSN). If a person does not have an SSN, they can sign an affidavit stating that they do not have one. If one of the parties was previously married and divorced within the last 60 days, they must submit a certified copy of the divorce decree. How much does a marriage license cost? The fee to obtain a marriage license in almost all North Carolina counties is $2. Most branches accept cash payments, and some allow debit or credit cards. It is advisable to confirm directly with the corresponding county office. Who can officiate a ceremony? The marriage ceremony may be officiated by an ordained minister of any religious denomination (e.g., a priest, rabbi, or minister), a minister authorized by a church, a magistrate, or a federally or state-recognized Native American Nation or tribe. The ceremony is not required to follow a specific structure, but it must have at least two witnesses, who must sign the marriage certificate. The officiant is responsible for signing and returning the certificate to the Register of Deeds office so that the marriage is legally registered. Can I marry a person of the same sex? Since October 2, same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in North Carolina. Recognition of this right was initially established by a federal ruling and ratified nationally by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015. Same-sex couples must meet the same legal requirements as any other couple. No government office can deny them a license. In some counties, certain public employees may opt out of the process for religious reasons, but the office is required to ensure the license is issued. Marriage of undocumented persons People without legal immigration status can also marry in North Carolina. Immigration documents are not required, and if you do not have a Social Security number , you can sign an affidavit indicating that status. A foreign passport is generally accepted as valid identification. Some offices also accept national identity cards, consular IDs, or other official documents from the country of origin. If applicants do not speak English, they will likely need to bring an interpreter, as most offices do not offer this service. Step-by-step guide to getting legally married in North Carolina Visit a Register of Deeds office in any county in the state. Submit the required documentation and start the application. Sign the marriage license and pay the $60. Hold the ceremony within 60 days. Ensure that the officiant delivers the signed deed to the Register of Deeds. Request a certified copy of the birth certificate if needed for legal, immigration, or administrative procedures. This <a target="_blank" href="https://enlacelatinonc.org/que-se-necesita-para-casarse-en-carolina-del-norte/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://enlacelatinonc.org">Enlace Latino NCand is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: "https://enlacelatinonc.org/que-se-necesita-para-casarse-en-carolina-del-norte/", urlref: window.location.href }); } }

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