Kannapolis Marriage License Records
Kannapolis is a city that spans both Cabarrus County and Rowan County, making it unique in North Carolina. Marriage licenses for Kannapolis residents are issued by either the Cabarrus County Register of Deeds in Concord or the Rowan County Register of Deeds in Salisbury. The Kannapolis City Clerk does not handle marriage licenses. Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo ID and Social Security information. The license costs $60 and is valid for 60 days in any county across the state.
How to Apply in Kannapolis
Kannapolis residents in the Cabarrus County portion visit the Cabarrus County Register of Deeds at 65 Church Street, Room 104, Concord, NC 28025. Call (704) 920-2112. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with marriage license services available until 4:00 PM. Residents in the Rowan County portion visit 402 N. Main Street, Salisbury, NC 28144. Call (704) 638-3316.
Under G.S. 51-6, a marriage license is required before the ceremony. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security information. If you had a prior marriage, bring proof of how it ended. The fee is $60 at either county. Since the license is valid statewide, you can apply at whichever office is more convenient regardless of which county portion of Kannapolis you live in.
Kannapolis Marriage License Requirements
G.S. 51-2 says both applicants must be 18 or older. No residency is needed. No blood test or medical exam is required. G.S. 51-8 makes the Register of Deeds the issuing official. Two witnesses attend the ceremony. The officiant returns the signed license to the issuing county within 10 days. You do not have to apply in the county where you live. Any North Carolina county office will work.
Note: Verify which county your part of Kannapolis falls in if you want to use a specific county office. The license itself is valid in all 100 counties.
Kannapolis Marriage License Filing
North Carolina law places marriage licenses at the county level. Since Kannapolis spans two counties, residents have two options. The Cabarrus County Register of Deeds in Concord is about 10 minutes south. The Rowan County Register of Deeds in Salisbury is about 15 minutes north. Both offices follow the same state rules and charge the same $60 fee. You can apply at either office no matter which county your address falls in. The license is valid statewide.
Kannapolis Marriage License Fees
The fee is $60 at both Cabarrus County and Rowan County. Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $10 each from either county. The NC Vital Records office has records from 1962 to the present for a $24 search fee. The county offices are the faster option for recent Kannapolis marriage records.
Kannapolis Marriage Records
After the wedding, request certified copies from whichever county issued the license. For Cabarrus County, visit or write to 65 Church Street, Concord. For Rowan County, visit or write to 402 N. Main Street, Salisbury. The Cabarrus County vital records page has details about requesting copies. Online ordering may be available through the county websites.
For state-level copies, contact NC Vital Records at 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903. The NCARD directory lists all 100 county offices. The NC Judicial Branch marriage page has general information about marriage laws in North Carolina.
Kannapolis Marriage License Images
The City of Kannapolis website serves as the municipal homepage for city services.
The city provides parks, recreation, and other services but does not handle marriage licenses or vital records.
The Cabarrus County Register of Deeds page is one of two county options for Kannapolis residents.
The Cabarrus County office in Concord is the closer option for most Kannapolis residents.
The NC Vital Records homepage is the state portal for ordering marriage certificates.
State records cover 1962 to the present. The county offices may have older records for the Kannapolis area.
Kannapolis Marriage License Process
The process follows North Carolina state law. Both applicants visit either the Cabarrus County or Rowan County Register of Deeds together. 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 works right away and is valid for 60 days. Since Kannapolis straddles two counties, residents should verify which county their address falls in. Either office will issue a license that works in all 100 North Carolina counties.
After the ceremony, two witnesses sign the license along with the officiant. The officiant then returns the completed license to the issuing county within 10 days. Once the county has the signed license on file, you can request certified copies of the marriage certificate. This step must happen before any copies can be issued.
After Your Kannapolis Wedding
The officiant must return the signed marriage license to the issuing county within 10 days. Once filed, request certified copies. For name changes, take a certified copy to the Social Security Administration first, then update your driver's license at the NC DMV. Order several copies for insurance, banking, and other updates. Each copy costs $10 from the county office.
Former mill town Kannapolis now has a revitalized downtown with venues like the Gem Theatre and the Swanee Theatre that work well for events. Nearby Concord and Salisbury also have ceremony options. The NC Vital Records website is another source for copies if you prefer the state route.
Note: The Kannapolis City Clerk at 401 Laureate Way handles city council records and municipal ordinances, not marriage licenses.
Cabarrus County Marriage License Records
Kannapolis is in Cabarrus County, and all marriage license filings go through the Cabarrus County Register of Deeds. For more on the county office, fees, and resources, visit the Cabarrus County marriage license records page.