Charlotte Visitors Center

Carolina Now - Carolina Visitor Directory

Marriage License
You must contact the county Register of Deeds to obtain a Marriage License
The Mecklenburg County office is in Charlotte NC and has a web site: Register of Deeds

When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, and will need to pay a nominal fee. You need to have a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your minister your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation. You do not get a copy unless you pay the Register of Deed for a certified copy and make arrangements for them to mail it to you.
ID Requirement: Picture ID is required of each, i.e. Drivers License or certified copy of Birth Certificate.
Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of North Carolina.
If Divorced: If the bride or groom has been divorced, he or she must know the month and year of the last divorce. If there has been a divorce within the last 60 days, the state requires a copy of the divorce decree signed by the judge.
Application Requirement: Both parties to a marriage should appear in person to obtain the license. If one of the parties is unable to appear, the other party to the marriage must appear in person and present a sworn and notarized affidavit from the other member of the party, prior to the issuance of the license. Affidavit forms are available in the Register of Deeds Office.

North Carolina law requires all applicants to show proof of a Social Security number, or documentary proof of their Social Security number, i.e. W-2 form, payroll stub, or a statement from the Social Security Office stating their Social Security number. If a Social Security number has never been issued or the applicant is not eligible for a Social Security number, the applicant will be required to present a completed affidavit, signed and notarized, at the time of applying for the marriage license. The affidavit form is available in the Register of Deeds Office.

Fees: $50 - Cash Only.
Waiting Period: No waiting period.
Blood Tests: No tests.
Marriage Ceremony: Marriage ceremonies may be either religious or civil.
There must be two witnesses at any marriage ceremony, whether it is civil or religious.

Under 18: All applicants, including those not present, must provide a form of identification
.•  Applicants 21 and over may use a valid driver's license, valid Military I.D, State ID, passport or certified birth certificate.
•  Applicants 18 to 20 must present a certified copy of their birth certificate. Applicants 16 and 17 must present a consent form signed by the parent, individual, agency or institution having legal custody or serving as the legal guardian of the underage party. A certified copy of the birth certificate is also required. The consent form must be notarized.