North Carolina Marriage License Records
North Carolina marriage license records are kept by the Register of Deeds in each of the state's 100 counties. These offices issue new marriage licenses, file signed returns after the ceremony, and store copies of marriage certificates for public access. The state vital records office in Raleigh holds marriage certificates from 1962 to the present. You can search for a North Carolina marriage license or certificate by visiting a county office, ordering by mail, or using an online request system. This guide covers how to find and obtain marriage license records across North Carolina.
North Carolina Marriage License Quick Facts
Finding North Carolina Marriage License Records
There are two main places to get marriage license records in North Carolina. The county Register of Deeds is the first stop. This office issues marriage licenses and keeps the signed returns after each ceremony. Every county in North Carolina has its own Register of Deeds. The office stores marriage records going back to the formation of the county. Many counties hold records from the 1800s or earlier. You can visit any of these 100 offices in person to request a copy of a marriage license or certificate.
The NC Association of Registers of Deeds provides a directory of all 100 county offices. You can use their county finder tool to look up the address, phone number, and website for any Register of Deeds in North Carolina. This is the best way to locate the right office when you need a marriage license record from a specific county.
The second source is NC Vital Records, part of the NC Department of Health and Human Services. This state office holds marriage certificates from 1962 to the present. For marriage records before 1962, you must contact the county Register of Deeds where the marriage license was issued. The state office is in Raleigh at 225 N. McDowell St., Raleigh, NC 27603. You can also mail requests to 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900.
Note: NC Vital Records does not issue marriage licenses and does not handle changes to marriage certificates in North Carolina.
North Carolina Marriage License Process
Getting a marriage license in North Carolina starts at the county Register of Deeds. Both people must appear together at the office. No blood test is required. There is no waiting period. The license is valid right away. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 51, Article 2, every Register of Deeds must issue a marriage license when both people apply in person and meet the legal requirements. The standard fee is $60 across North Carolina.
You need to bring a few things. A valid photo ID is required. This can be a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. You also need your Social Security card or proof of your Social Security number. If you are between 18 and 20, a certified birth certificate is needed in addition to your ID. Those who were married before must provide the month and year the prior marriage ended. If the divorce was within 30 days, bring a certified copy of the decree.
Under N.C.G.S. § 51-2, the age rules are clear. Anyone 18 or older can marry without restrictions. Those aged 16 to 17 need written consent from a parent or guardian. The other person must be no more than four years older. No one under 16 can marry in North Carolina. The Register of Deeds checks age before issuing a marriage license.
North Carolina Marriage License Laws
Chapter 51 of the North Carolina General Statutes covers all marriage laws. This includes who can marry, how to get a license, and what happens after the ceremony. These rules apply in every county across North Carolina.
A marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. The ceremony must take place within that window. Under N.C.G.S. § 51-6, no one may perform a marriage ceremony without a valid license. Two witnesses must be present at every marriage ceremony in North Carolina. The officiant must sign the license and return it to the Register of Deeds within 10 days. This signed return becomes the official marriage record on file. A $200 penalty applies under N.C.G.S. § 51-7 for anyone who performs a ceremony without a license.
N.C.G.S. § 51-15 makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to obtain a marriage license through false statements. This covers lying about age, marital status, or identity on the application. N.C.G.S. § 51-16 sets the form requirements for all marriage licenses in North Carolina, including the names, ages, and residences of both applicants plus the date and expiration.
When one person cannot appear at the office due to active military duty, hospitalization, or incarceration, N.C.G.S. § 51-8.2 allows an Affidavit in Lieu of Personal Appearance. The absent person completes the form before a notary and submits it with the other applicant. Not being able to get off work is not a valid reason for this process in North Carolina.
Note: North Carolina does not recognize common law marriages created within the state after 1868, but it does recognize valid common law marriages from other states.
Ordering a North Carolina Marriage Certificate
A marriage certificate is different from a marriage license. The license grants permission to marry. The certificate is the official record created after the ceremony. You can order a certified copy of a North Carolina marriage certificate from either the county or the state.
At the county level, contact the Register of Deeds in the county where the marriage license was issued. Most counties charge $10 for a certified copy. You need the full names of both parties and the date of marriage. Many counties accept requests by mail, in person, or through online portals. Some North Carolina counties use the Permitium system for online vital record orders. Others accept requests through their own websites.
At the state level, NC Vital Records charges a $24 search fee per three-year period. This is not refundable even if no record is found. Additional copies cost $15 each. You can order by mail using the Application for North Carolina Marriage Record form. A Spanish language version is also available. You will need to provide the names of both parties, the date of marriage, and the place where the license was issued.
Processing times at the state office are long right now. Due to REAL ID requirements, orders placed in 2025 may take 110 to 115 business days. If you need a record quickly, contact the county Register of Deeds instead. County offices often process requests the same day or within a few days in North Carolina.
Historical Marriage Records in North Carolina
North Carolina has a long history of marriage records. The first law about marriages in the state was passed in April 1741. From 1741 to 1868, the main record was a marriage bond. This was a financial promise, not proof of marriage. It listed the groom, the bride, a bondsman, a witness, the date, and the county. Marriage bonds are held at the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh.
After 1868, the marriage license replaced the bond. This is when the county Register of Deeds became the keeper of marriage records in North Carolina. The NC State Library vital records guide offers a detailed breakdown of what records exist for each time period.
The State Archives also holds cohabitation records from 1866 to 1867. After the Civil War, North Carolina required formerly enslaved couples to legalize their marriages through cohabitation bonds. These records are an important resource for genealogical research. The NC Digital Collections has these records available online for free.
For genealogy work, the NC Vital Records research page recommends checking the county Register of Deeds first if you know the area. The state office charges $24 per three-year search and requires specific details. County offices may be a better starting point for family history research on marriage records in North Carolina.
North Carolina Marriage License Officiants
North Carolina law allows several types of people to officiate a wedding. Ordained ministers, rabbis, and other religious leaders can perform the ceremony. Magistrates and certain judges can also marry couples. The officiant must have the signed marriage license before performing the ceremony. They must return the signed license to the county Register of Deeds within 10 days.
Many counties in North Carolina have magistrates who perform civil ceremonies at the courthouse. Fees for magistrate ceremonies vary but are often around $50. Some require an appointment. Others offer walk-in service. Contact the county Register of Deeds or the local magistrate office for details about civil ceremony options for your marriage license in North Carolina.
Marriage License Resources in North Carolina
Several online tools can help you find marriage license records in North Carolina. The NCARD county finder lets you look up any Register of Deeds office by county. The NC Vital Records website handles state-level certificate requests. The NC.gov vital records portal links to marriage requirements, licenses, and officiant details.
The NC Vital Records forms page has the Application for North Carolina Marriage Record available for download. You can also find marriage license records through the FindLaw reference for Chapter 51, which lists all North Carolina marriage statutes with legal annotations. For questions, call NC Vital Records at 919-733-3000 during business hours, Monday through Friday.
North Carolina Marriage License by County
Each county in North Carolina has its own Register of Deeds that issues marriage licenses and stores marriage records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for marriage license records in that area.
Marriage License Records in North Carolina Cities
Residents of North Carolina cities obtain marriage licenses from the Register of Deeds in their county. Pick a city below to find marriage license resources for that area.