Anyone over 18 years of age can legally marry in North Carolina without parental consent. Marriage applicants under the age of 18 should call the Register of Deeds office at 980-314-4951 for specific requirements.
A marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance and may be used in any county within the State of North Carolina, but must be returned to the issuing office.
Please Note: The Register of Deeds Office does not perform wedding ceremonies. Applicants who are considering a civil ceremony may contact the Mecklenburg County Magistrates Office in the Mecklenburg County Courthouse.
Both parties must present:
Please note: applicants between the ages of 18 and 20 must also present a certified copy of their birth certificate.
Applicants who do not have a U.S. Social Security Number or those who are not eligible for one, must present a notarized Affidavit of Social Security Ineligibility/No Social Security number when they appear to apply for their marriage license.
Divorced applicants - Must provide an original or certified true copy of the divorce decree showing the date their divorce was finalized.
Widowed applicants - Must provide a certified copy of the death certificate showing the date of their prior spouse’s death.
To apply for a marriage license, both applicants should visit the Register of Deeds office in person between 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. To expedite the process, please complete the online application 30 days prior to visiting the office.