Getting married at a courthouse in North Carolina takes a $60 license from any county Register of Deeds, valid photo ID and Social Security proof for both partners, and a short civil ceremony performed by a magistrate with at least two witnesses present. There is no waiting period, so the license can be issued and used the same day if the magistrate’s office has availability.
Who Can Marry
Any two unmarried adults 18 or older can marry in North Carolina, as long as both have the capacity to consent and neither is already married.1North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina General Statutes 51-1 – Requisites of Marriage; Solemnization Marriages between people more closely related than first cousins, and between double first cousins, are not allowed.2North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina General Statutes 51-3 – Want of Capacity; Void and Voidable Marriages
If either partner was previously married, that divorce must be final before applying. The state imposes no waiting period between a finalized divorce and a new marriage.
Sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds face a much more involved path: a district court judge must issue an order authorizing the marriage, and the other partner can be no more than four years older.3North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina General Statutes 51-2.1 – Marriage of Certain Underage Parties No one under 16 can marry in North Carolina.
Getting the Marriage License
You need a license from the Register of Deeds before any ceremony can happen.4North Carolina Judicial Branch. Marriage You can apply in any North Carolina county, not just the one where you live or plan to marry.
Who Needs to Appear
Both partners generally have to show up in person. Some counties offer an online pre-application to speed things up at the counter, but the visit is still required.4North Carolina Judicial Branch. Marriage If one partner truly cannot appear, they can submit a notarized affidavit with copies of their ID and Social Security proof.5Forsyth County Government. Apply for a Marriage License
What to Bring
Each applicant needs a valid photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID) and proof of Social Security number, such as a Social Security card, W-2, pay stub, or bank document showing the full number.6Onslow County, NC. Marriage License Requirements If you don’t have a Social Security number and aren’t eligible for one, a notarized affidavit stating that will substitute.
If either partner was previously married, be ready to give the month and year the last divorce was finalized. Some counties ask for additional documentation when a divorce is very recent, so call ahead if yours closed within the past few months.7Davidson County, NC. Marriage License Requirements
Fee, Timing, and Validity
The license fee is $60 statewide.8North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina General Statutes 161-10 – Fees of Register of Deeds Accepted payment methods vary by office; some take only cash, others also accept cards or checks. Confirm before you go.
The license can be issued on the spot and used that same day. Once issued, it is valid for 60 days. If no ceremony takes place in that window, the license expires and you’d have to apply and pay again.9North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina General Statutes 51-16 – Form of License
The Courthouse Ceremony
A magistrate performs civil marriage ceremonies in North Carolina. Contact the magistrate’s office in the county where you’d like to marry, since availability and scheduling practices vary.4North Carolina Judicial Branch. Marriage Some offices take walk-ins; others require an appointment. Ask about a ceremony fee when you schedule, because some magistrate offices charge one.
Your license authorizes a ceremony anywhere in North Carolina, not just the county that issued it.9North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina General Statutes 51-16 – Form of License If one magistrate’s office is booked, try a neighboring county without starting over.
Witnesses
Bring your unexpired license and at least two witnesses. State law requires two witnesses at the ceremony, and courthouses typically don’t provide them.10North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina General Statutes 51-6 – Witnesses Any willing adults can serve. The ceremony itself runs about ten minutes: the magistrate confirms your intent, leads an exchange of vows, and declares you married.
After the Ceremony
The magistrate signs the completed license and is legally required to return it to the Register of Deeds in the county that issued it within 10 days. Failing to return it on time is a misdemeanor, so the duty is on the officiant.11North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina General Statutes 51-7 – Penalty for Solemnizing Without License Even so, it’s worth calling the Register of Deeds a couple of weeks later to confirm the license was recorded.
Once recorded, the marriage is legally official, and you can order certified copies of the marriage certificate from that office for $10 each.12Chatham County, NC. Marriage License Requirements Order two or three at once. You’ll need them for name changes, insurance, and other paperwork.
Name Changes If You’re Taking a New Last Name
Start with Social Security, because most other agencies want that record to match before they’ll update their own. You can apply online or file a paper Form SS-5 with proof of identity and your certified marriage certificate. There’s no fee.13Social Security Administration. How Do I Change or Correct My Name on My Social Security Number Card?
Once your Social Security record is updated, visit an NC DMV office with your certified marriage certificate to update your driver’s license. Under REAL ID standards, you’ll need documents that link your birth name to your current name, so bring your birth certificate too.
For your passport, if it was issued less than a year ago and the name change also happened within the past year, you can update by mail using Form DS-5504 at no charge, unless you want expedited service ($60). Otherwise you go through a standard renewal with regular passport fees.14U.S. Department of State. Change or Correct a Passport
Deadlines That Sneak Up After the Wedding
Marriage is a qualifying life event for health insurance, and the enrollment window is short.15HealthCare.gov. Qualifying Life Event (QLE) Employer-sponsored plans typically give you 30 days from the marriage date to add a spouse or switch coverage.16U.S. Department of Labor. FAQs on HIPAA Portability and Nondiscrimination Requirements for Workers Marketplace plans through HealthCare.gov generally allow 60 days. Miss the window and you’ll wait until the next open enrollment.
Your marital status on December 31 sets your filing status for the whole tax year, even if the wedding was on New Year’s Eve. You can file jointly or separately. For 2026, the standard deduction for married couples filing jointly is $32,200.17Internal Revenue Service. IRS Releases Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2026