Ways to Get Married in North Carolina. Expert Reviewed. Three Methods Getting a Marriage License. Finishing Final Marriage Paperwork. Planning and Having the Ceremony. Community Q AGetting married in any state in a process, but one that has a wonderful conclusion at the end you get marriedYou can easily find out how to get married in North Carolina to help make the whole process fun and cost effective. In order to get married in North Carolina, you need to get a marriage license, finish marriage paperwork, and plan and have the wedding ceremony. Getting married in North Carolina is an easy process, as long as you follow the correct steps and procedures.
North Carolina Marriage License Laws and Requirements. If youre getting married in the state of North Carolina you must first apply for a wedding license at any in state county clerk office. These offices, some of which are referred to as the marriage license bureau, are usually located in the county probate court or circuit court. This document outlines the requirements you must adhere to in order to get a valid marriage license that can be used statewide. Lets beginNC county specific marriage license links below. Scroll down further for statewide requirements. Address, phone number, and maps can be found on the respective county links. Cost of Your License. How much does a marriage license costThe marriage license fee is 6. Accepted forms of payment are cash. Residency Requirement. Are there any special residency conditions for in state or out of state residents There are none. You do not have to be a previous or current resident of North Carolina to obtain a marriage license that will be valid statewide. Waiting Period. After I submit my application how long do I have to wait before I receive my marriage license There is no waiting period. You will receive your marriage license immediately after you submit your application. How to Apply for a Marriage License in Massachusetts. If you and your soon to be spouse are planning to get married in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you will. Is there a waiting period from the moment the license is given to me to the date Im allowed to actually marry No, you can get married immediately after your marriage license is issued. License Expiration. How long will my marriage license remain valid once its been issued Your license will expire 6. Once it expires, it can no longer be used to get married. What happens if my marriage license expires before I get a chance to use it Unfortunately, youll just have to get a brand new one as your expired one will no longer be recognized as valid by the state nor by the person who will be responsible for officiating your marriage. Age Requirement. How old must I be to get marriedYou must be at least 1. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age. What if one or both of us is younger than 1. If either partner is under 1. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you are under 1. Blood Test. Are blood tests and physical exams required No blood test or physical exam is required. Divorced or Widowed Applicants. What if one or both partners have been divorced or have had a spouse die If you were previously married, the date of your divorce or the date of your spouses death must be provided. If the divorce or spouses death had taken place within the last 6. If necessary, a copy of your divorce records or spouses death certificate can be ordered from your local vital records office and mailed to you. Marriage Name Change. How do I legally change my name before or after I get married When you are married, you will receive a marriage certificate, which is a piece of paper proving that you are legally married. This document will serve as evidence of your marriage, which youll need to complete the process of notifying several government agencies about your name change, as well as any non government institutions that you do business with ie, banks, employers, credit cards, memberships, etc. There is an online marriage name change kit that you can use and complete before or after your marriage takes place. Its applicable for North Carolina or any other state in the union. Completing all the necessary name change documentation prior to your wedding is recommended in order to expedite the name change process. Proxy Marriage. What is a proxy marriage A proxy marriage, also known as a proxy wedding, is when one or both partners to be married are unable to physically attend the ceremony. The missing person, or persons, will have someone stand in for them and serve as their proxy. Can I get married by proxy if Im unable to to be present for the ceremony No, getting married by proxy is not allowed in North Carolina. There are actually only five states left that do allow marriage by proxy. Common Law Marriage. What is a common law marriage The term common law marriage refers to an informal marriage, based upon cohabitation and a mutual understanding by both partners, rather than getting married through a civil or religious ceremony. The latter, more common approach, would require an actual North Carolina marriage license. Is a common law marriage a legal option for me instead of undergoing a conventional marriage No, common law marriages are not allowed in North Carolina. This is unsurprising as only one fifth of the country currently recognizes common law marriage. Cousin Marriage. Can I get married to my cousin Yes, cousin marriages first, second, etc are allowed to take place. First cousins may marry, but double first cousins may not marry. Double first cousins occur when the couple is related through both parents. For instance, Jerry marries Sally and Jerrys sister marries Sallys brother. Their children are double first cousins. Same Sex Marriage. Are same sex marriages legal Yes, same sex marriages are allowed and legally recognized in North Carolina.