HWB Planning Tips: Understanding NC Marriage & Officiant Laws
- The Barn
- Feb 14
- 3 min read
Disclaimer: This post is primarily written for couples looking to get married either before or on the date of their wedding. However, it also offers useful information regarding NC Marriage Laws in general.
First and foremost, congratulations on your engagement! You've found your partner and are ready to take the next steps, but what exactly are the next steps to getting legally married? It can be a little confusing, as these laws vary state by state, but don't worry, the Historic Wakefield Barn team is here to help!
In this post, we've linked resources, a timeline, and offered a variety of options for how you can plan your dream ceremony to get legally married! Here's to an official 'I Do'!
Applying for your Marriage License
This is step one: applying and filing for a state-recognized marriage license. Typically, this is $60.00 and can be purchased through the North Carolina Association of Register of Deeds.
1) Select the county you are getting married in (for couples getting married here at the Historic Wakefield Barn, that is Wake County).
For couples in Wake County, that will take you to this page: Register of Deeds.
2) Head to the page listed as 'Birth, Death, & Marriage Certificates'. Here, you'll be able to find the 5 locations in North Carolina that you can go to in-person to obtain your Marriage License. On this page, it also details who can apply for the license and what you'll need to bring.
Both parties getting married must be present for the application
The fastest way to get your license is to go in-person
Proof of your SSN and a valid form of ID, such as a passport or a diver's license
Each license is only valid for 60-days from your ceremony, so plan accordingly!
3) You'll want to receive two copies of your marriage license; on each copy, you'll need a North Carolina-ordained officiant and, two witnesses to sign.
4) After the ceremony, you'll need to mail or bring in both copies of your license to the office where you obtained it. After, request a certified copy of your license from this office and it's official!
For details about changing your name, check out Gwen's page here.
As an additional resource, check out the 'Marriage' page linked to the North Carolina Judicial Branch's website.
Option 1: On the Day-Of: Officiating Your Wedding
There are a couple of options for who can officiate your wedding in North Carolina! Of course, many couples choose to work with a pre-ordained vendor, a magistrate, a minister / religious figure who is legally ordained by their church or denomination.
North Carolina is very strict when it comes to who can officiate your license. While a guest can apply online, we do NOT recommend going this route. You're more than welcome to have a friend or family member speak and lead your ceremony, but we STRONGLY recommend having an ordained officiant on standby to sign your license right after.
Option 2: Before the Ceremony: Headed to the Courthouse
Another option, once you have your marriage license is to make and appointment, and get married at the Courthouse! This is a great option and is incredibly easy to set up before your ceremony. You'll also need two witnesses to sign for this option.
Working with a Recognized North Carolina Officiant
A great option is to work with an ordained officiant in North Carolina! One of the officiants that we work with all the time here at the venue is Gwen Downs.
She goes above and beyond with every couple she works with, and is a wonderful part of our Preferred Vendors family. For additional information, check out her page 'North Carolina Marriage License' on her website.
Of course, there are many amazing officiants out there, with a ton of different backgrounds, ceremony styles, and experiences. Find someone who works best for you and inquire to see if your date is available!
We hope this post was helpful! As a recap, (1) get your marriage license, (2) find an officiant recognized by the state, (3) have them and two witnesses sign both licenses, (4) mail or hand in these licenses within 10-days of your ceremony, and (5) request a copy of your certificate. Thank you!
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