Detailed North Carolina Wedding Law Notes
These notes summarize state marriage-license, ceremony, witness, and officiant guidance for the new map experience.
Requirements for the Couple
- Age: Must be 18 or older; those aged 16-17 require guardian consent, and those aged 14-15 must obtain court approval.
- Identification: Government-issued photo ID and Social Security Number.
- Residency: Not required.
- Prohibited Unions: Closer than first cousins or double first cousins.
- Cost: $60.
- Include verbal consent from both parties.
- Be witnessed by two adults.
- Conclude with the officiant’s formal pronouncement of marriage.
- Ensure the license is fully completed, including:
- Names, ages, and residences of the couple.
- Names and addresses of their parents.
- Names of the two witnesses.
- The officiant’s title and affiliation with Ministries of Love.
- Return the license to the Register of Deeds within 10 days of the ceremony.
- Ministries of Love Ordination Accepted: Yes
- Minister Registration Required: No
- Minister’s Residency: Not Required
- Minister’s Minimum Age: 18 Years Old
- Marriage License Waiting Period: None
- Marriage License Valid For: 60 Days
- Marriage License Return Within: 10 Days
- Marriage by Proxy: Not allowed.
- Minister Presence: Required.
- Witnesses: Two adult witnesses are required.
- Consent and Pronouncement: The couple must consent to marry “freely, seriously, and plainly expressed,” and the officiant must pronounce them married.
COVID-19 Adjustments : Applications may be submitted via video conference or mail. 4.
Marriage License Requirements
- Age: Must be 18 or older; those aged 16-17 require guardian consent, and those aged 14-15 must obtain court approval.
- Identification: Government-issued photo ID and Social Security Number.
- Residency: Not required.
- Prohibited Unions: Closer than first cousins or double first cousins.
- Cost: $60.
- Include verbal consent from both parties.
- Be witnessed by two adults.
- Conclude with the officiant’s formal pronouncement of marriage.
- Ensure the license is fully completed, including:
- Names, ages, and residences of the couple.
- Names and addresses of their parents.
- Names of the two witnesses.
- The officiant’s title and affiliation with Ministries of Love.
- Return the license to the Register of Deeds within 10 days of the ceremony.
Couples must pick up their marriage license in person from the Register of Deeds in any North Carolina county. Requirements for the Couple : COVID-19 Adjustments : Applications may be submitted via video conference or mail.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage by Proxy: Not allowed.
- Minister Presence: Required.
- Witnesses: Two adult witnesses are required.
- Consent and Pronouncement: The couple must consent to marry “freely, seriously, and plainly expressed,” and the officiant must pronounce them married.
- Age: Must be 18 or older; those aged 16-17 require guardian consent, and those aged 14-15 must obtain court approval.
- Identification: Government-issued photo ID and Social Security Number.
- Residency: Not required.
- Prohibited Unions: Closer than first cousins or double first cousins.
- Cost: $60.
- Include verbal consent from both parties.
- Be witnessed by two adults.
- Conclude with the officiant’s formal pronouncement of marriage.
- Ensure the license is fully completed, including:
- Names, ages, and residences of the couple.
- Names and addresses of their parents.
- Names of the two witnesses.
- The officiant’s title and affiliation with Ministries of Love.
- Return the license to the Register of Deeds within 10 days of the ceremony.
The ceremony can be customized to reflect the couple’s beliefs, traditions, and preferences. 3.