Getting a Marriage License in North Carolina

A county register of deeds issues the license to two people who can answer questions about age, marital status and intent to marry and who the register determines are eligible to marry. The register may require certified birth certificates or other evidence and may put applicants under oath. Each applicant must give a Social Security number, or a sworn statement that he or she does not have one and is ineligible. The license authorizes the marriage at any place in North Carolina within 60 days of issuance. The register of deeds' fee for issuing a license is $60.

Unmarried people 18 or older may marry. A person over 16 and under 18 may marry only someone no more than four years older, and only after filing with the register of deeds either written consent from a parent with full or joint legal custody (or a person or agency with legal custody or guardianship) or a certified district court order authorizing the marriage; an emancipated minor may file the emancipation decree instead of consent. A court may authorize the marriage only if the minor can assume the responsibilities of marriage and it serves the minor's best interest; pregnancy alone is not enough, and opposition by all living parents creates a presumption against it. Marriage under 16 is unlawful.