Cary Marriage License Information
Cary is the seventh largest municipality in North Carolina and sits mainly in Wake County, with a small section in Chatham County. Most Cary residents get their marriage license from the Wake County Register of Deeds in Raleigh. The Cary Town Clerk does not issue marriage licenses. Both applicants must appear in person at the county office with valid ID and Social Security information. The license costs $60, is valid for 60 days, and works in any North Carolina county.
How to Get a Marriage License from Cary
Cary residents in Wake County visit the Wake County Register of Deeds at the Wake County Justice Center, 300 South Salisbury Street, Suite 1700, Raleigh, NC 27601. The office issues marriage licenses Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (919) 856-5460 for details. Online appointment scheduling is available. Under G.S. 51-6, you must have a license before the ceremony.
If your part of Cary falls in Chatham County, you may also apply at the Chatham County Register of Deeds at 12 East Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312, by calling (919) 542-8235. Either county works since the license is valid in all of North Carolina for 60 days. You do not have to apply in your home county.
Cary Marriage License Requirements
Under G.S. 51-2, both applicants must be 18 or older. No residency is needed. No blood test or medical exam is required. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number. If your prior marriage ended recently, bring proof such as a certified divorce decree.
G.S. 51-8 says the Register of Deeds issues the license. Two witnesses must be at the ceremony. The officiant returns the signed marriage license to the issuing county within 10 days. The $60 fee is the same at both Wake County and Chatham County.
Note: You can apply at any county in North Carolina, not just Wake or Chatham. The license is valid statewide.
Marriage License Fees for Cary Residents
The marriage license costs $60. Certified copies of the marriage certificate are $10 each from the Wake County Register of Deeds. You can also request copies from the NC Vital Records office for $24 per search. Wake County marriage records go back to 1932. Chatham County has records from 1771 to the present. The county office is faster than the state for recent records.
Getting Cary Marriage Records
After the wedding, request certified copies from the Wake County Register of Deeds. In-person requests are handled at 300 South Salisbury Street, Suite 1700, Raleigh. Mail requests go to Wake County Register of Deeds, Attention: Vital Records, P.O. Box 1897, Raleigh, NC 27602-1897. Bring or include a valid photo ID with your request. Each certified copy costs $10. You can view uncertified copies online through the Wake County vital records portal.
The NC Vital Records office at 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903 has state-level records from 1962 to the present. The state charges $24 for a search and first copy. Additional copies from the state cost $15 each. The NC Association of Registers of Deeds has a directory of all county offices if you need records from a different county.
Cary Marriage License Office Info
Most Cary residents use the Wake County Register of Deeds at the Wake County Justice Center. The address is 300 South Salisbury Street, Suite 1700, Raleigh, NC 27601. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Marriage license services run from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The phone is (919) 856-5460. The Cary Town Clerk at 316 North Academy Street, Cary, NC 27513, handles town records but not marriage licenses or vital records.
Cary Marriage License Images
The Wake County Register of Deeds page is the main resource for Cary residents who need a marriage license.
This page has links to all vital records services, including marriage license applications and certified copies.
The Wake County records search portal lets you look up marriage records online.
Search by name or date to find marriage records. Uncertified copies are available online. Certified copies require a formal request.
The NC marriage certificates page covers state-level options for getting certified copies.
The state has records from 1962 forward. The Wake County office is a faster choice for recent Cary marriages.
Cary Marriage License Process
The process follows North Carolina state law. Both applicants visit the Wake County Register of Deeds at 300 South Salisbury Street, Suite 1700, in Raleigh. You fill out the application, show 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 is valid right away and good for 60 days. You can hold the ceremony in any county in the state, not just in Wake County.
After Your Cary Wedding Ceremony
The officiant signs the marriage license and returns it to the issuing county within 10 days. Once filed, request certified copies for your records. You will need them for name changes and insurance updates. Take a certified copy to the Social Security Administration first, then update your driver's license at the NC DMV. Order several copies since you will use them for bank accounts, insurance policies, and other agencies. The NC Vital Records website is another option for getting copies if you prefer to order from the state.
Note: The Cary Town Clerk at (919) 469-4011 handles town council records and municipal code, not marriage licenses or vital records.
Wake County Marriage License Records
Cary is in Wake County, and all marriage license filings go through the Wake County Register of Deeds. For more on the county office, fees, and resources, visit the Wake County marriage license records page.