Asheville Marriage License Guide
Asheville is the largest city in western North Carolina and a top wedding destination known for mountain scenery, the Biltmore Estate, and a lively arts scene. Marriage licenses in Asheville are issued by the Buncombe County Register of Deeds at the courthouse. The city clerk does not issue marriage licenses. Both applicants must appear in person with valid ID and Social Security proof. No blood test is required. The license costs $60, is valid right away, and good for 60 days across North Carolina. Buncombe County has marriage records on file dating back to 1891.
Getting a Marriage License in Asheville
The Buncombe County Register of Deeds is at the Buncombe County Courthouse, 60 Court Plaza, Room 110, Asheville, NC 28801. Some services are also at 205 College Street. Marriage licenses are issued Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Both parties should arrive before 4:00 PM. Call (828) 250-4300 for general questions or (828) 250-4301 for vital records. You can email register.of.deeds@buncombecounty.org.
Under G.S. 51-6, a marriage license is needed before any ceremony. Bring valid photo ID and proof of your Social Security number. Applicants 18 to 20 must present a certified birth certificate. If divorced, know the month and year. If the divorce was within 30 days, bring a certified copy of the decree. The fee is $60.
Asheville Marriage License Requirements
G.S. 51-2 says both applicants must be 18 or older. Applicants 16 or 17 need parental consent and a birth certificate. G.S. 51-8 makes the Register of Deeds the issuing official. No residency is required. No medical exam or blood test is needed. Two witnesses must attend the ceremony. The officiant returns the signed license to Buncombe County within 10 days.
Asheville has many options for officiants. An ordained minister, a minister authorized by a church, a magistrate, or a representative of a federally or state-recognized Indian tribe can all perform the ceremony. The City of Asheville services page provides general guidance and directs residents to the county office.
Asheville Marriage License Filing
North Carolina law places marriage licenses at the county level. Since Asheville is the county seat of Buncombe County, the Register of Deeds is right in town at the courthouse. The office handles a high volume of marriage license applications because Asheville is one of the top wedding destinations in the Southeast. The office serves all communities in Buncombe County, including Weaverville, Black Mountain, and Swannanoa.
Marriage License Fees in Asheville
The fee is $60. Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $10 each. Civil ceremonies are available at the Buncombe County Courthouse on Fridays from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. No appointment is needed for the courthouse ceremony. The magistrate fee is $50 in exact cash. The magistrate office is on the 2nd floor of the courthouse.
Asheville Marriage Records
Certified copies are available from the Buncombe County Register of Deeds once the signed license is on file. The NC Vital Records office has records from 1962 to the present. The county is faster for recent marriages. Buncombe County records go back to 1891. For research into older records, try the NC Vital Records research page or the NC State Archives for marriage bonds from 1741 to 1868.
The NCARD county finder can help you locate any Register of Deeds office across the state. The NC Judicial Branch marriage page has additional details about marriage laws and procedures in North Carolina.
Asheville Marriage License Images
The City of Asheville website serves as the municipal homepage and provides general city services information.
The city directs all marriage license questions to the Buncombe County Register of Deeds.
The Asheville city services page tells residents where to go for marriage licenses and other vital records.
This page links to the Buncombe County Register of Deeds for all marriage license applications and certified copy requests.
The NC marriage certificates page covers the state-level process for ordering copies.
State records date back to 1962. For Asheville marriages before that year, contact the Buncombe County Register of Deeds.
Asheville Marriage License Process
The process follows North Carolina state law. Both applicants visit the Buncombe County Register of Deeds at 60 Court Plaza, Room 110, in Asheville. You fill out the application, show your identification, and pay the $60 fee. The clerk reviews the application and issues the license the same day. There is no waiting period. The license works right away and is good for 60 days in any county across the state. Asheville is one of the most popular wedding destinations in North Carolina, and the county office handles a high volume of marriage license applications year-round.
After the ceremony, the officiant and two witnesses sign the marriage license. The officiant must return the completed license to the Buncombe County Register of Deeds within 10 days. Once the signed license is filed, you can request certified copies. Each copy costs $10 from the county office.
After Your Asheville Wedding
The officiant signs and returns the marriage license to the Buncombe County Register of Deeds within 10 days. Once filed, request certified copies. For name changes, take a certified copy to the Social Security Administration. Wait for the new card, then update your driver's license at the NC DMV. Many Asheville couples host their weddings at iconic venues like the Biltmore Estate, the Grove Park Inn, or along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Botanical Gardens at Asheville and downtown historic venues are also popular choices. Regardless of venue, the license must be filed with Buncombe County.
Note: Certified copies are not mailed automatically after the wedding. You must request them from the county office or through the state vital records portal.
Buncombe County Marriage License Records
Asheville is in Buncombe County, and all marriage license filings go through the Buncombe County Register of Deeds. For more on the county office, fees, and resources, visit the Buncombe County marriage license records page.