Charlotte Marriage License Records
Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and the county seat of Mecklenburg County. If you plan to get a marriage license in Charlotte, you will work with the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds. That office handles all marriage license filings for Charlotte and the rest of the county. The city clerk does not issue marriage licenses or store marriage records. Both people must go to the Register of Deeds in person with valid photo ID and their Social Security numbers. There is no blood test or waiting period, and the license works right away once it is issued.
How to Get a Marriage License in Charlotte
To apply for a marriage license in Charlotte, both parties must visit the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds at 720 E. 4th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but marriage license services end at 4:30 PM. You can call (704) 336-2443 with questions. Online appointment scheduling is available, which helps cut down on wait times at the office. Under North Carolina law, specifically G.S. 51-6, a marriage license is required before any marriage ceremony can take place in the state.
Each applicant must bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. You also need proof of your Social Security number. If you were married before and the divorce was within 60 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. The fee is $60, and the marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. It can be used anywhere in North Carolina, not just in Charlotte or Mecklenburg County.
Charlotte Marriage License Requirements
North Carolina sets the rules for who can get a marriage license. Under G.S. 51-2, both applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply on their own. Those aged 16 or 17 may apply with parental consent and extra steps. No residency requirement exists, so you do not have to live in Charlotte or Mecklenburg County to marry here. No medical exam is needed. No blood test is needed.
Per G.S. 51-8, the Register of Deeds is the only official who issues a marriage license. Two witnesses are required for the ceremony itself. After the wedding, the officiant must return the signed marriage license to the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds within 10 days so the record can be filed.
Note: Wedding ceremonies can be performed at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse by a magistrate, but you should call ahead to set up an appointment.
Marriage License Fees and Costs
The marriage license fee in Charlotte is $60. This is the same fee across all 100 counties in North Carolina. The Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds accepts various forms of payment at the office. After your ceremony, you will want certified copies of your marriage certificate. Each certified copy costs $10 from the county office. These copies are not sent out on their own. You must request them from the Register of Deeds after the signed license has been returned and recorded.
Getting Copies of Charlotte Marriage Records
Once the officiant returns the signed marriage license, you can get certified copies from the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds. Certified copies cost $10 each and serve as legal proof of your marriage. You will need them for name changes, insurance updates, and other legal steps. You can also request copies from the North Carolina Vital Records office for marriages from 1962 to the present. The state charges a $24 search fee and includes one copy if a record is found. Extra copies cost $15 each. The county office is usually faster for recent marriages.
All official marriage license records come from the county Register of Deeds, not from the city.
Charlotte Marriage License Office Details
The Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds office sits inside the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. The address is 720 E. 4th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Marriage license services are available from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can reach the office by phone at (704) 336-2443 for questions about your marriage license application or to check on a record.
If you need help finding the right county office in North Carolina, the NC Association of Registers of Deeds has a directory of all 100 county offices with phone numbers, addresses, and hours.
Note: The Charlotte City Clerk does not handle marriage licenses or vital records.
Charlotte Marriage License Images
The screenshot below shows the Mecklenburg County Courts page, which lists contact details for the local judicial offices that serve Charlotte.
This page can help you find the Clerk of Superior Court if you need divorce records, which are kept separate from marriage license records at the Register of Deeds.
The North Carolina Vital Records homepage is the state portal for ordering certified marriage certificates by mail or through an online vendor.
State-level marriage records cover 1962 onward. For marriages before that date, contact the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds directly.
The NCARD county finder lets you look up any Register of Deeds office in North Carolina by county name.
Use this tool to confirm the address, phone number, and hours for the Mecklenburg County office.
After Your Charlotte Wedding
After the ceremony, the person who performed the wedding must sign the marriage license and return it to the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds within 10 days. Do not wait too long. Once the license is on file, you can order certified copies for your records. Most people need several copies for name changes and other updates after a marriage.
To change your name, first get a certified copy of the marriage certificate. Take it to the Social Security Administration office. After you receive your new Social Security card, wait at least 24 hours, then visit the NC DMV to update your driver's license. From there, update bank accounts, insurance policies, and other records as needed. The state vital records office can also issue copies if you need them from a central source.
Note: Certified copies of the marriage certificate are not mailed to you after the wedding. You must request them from the Register of Deeds or through the state office.
Mecklenburg County Marriage License Records
Charlotte is in Mecklenburg County, and all marriage license filings go through the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds. For more on the county office, fees, and resources, visit the Mecklenburg County marriage license records page.