North Carolina marriage license, at a glance
- License fee
- $60
- Waiting period
- None
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- License valid for
- 60 days
Courthouse wedding in North Carolina
What you need to marry at a courthouse in North Carolina: the license fee, waiting period, ID and witness rules. Last verified October 15, 2026 against official sources.
More North Carolina rules
| Minimum age | 18 years old — under 18 requires a special license and parental consent |
|---|---|
| Required identification | Both parties apply in person with a valid, unexpired photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport or military ID) and their Social Security number (or an affidavit if they have none). |
| Social Security number required | Yes |
| Residency requirement | No. Applicants do not need to be North Carolina residents. No premarital medical exam is required. |
| Who can perform the ceremony | An ordained minister of any religious denomination, a minister authorized by a church, or a magistrate (also ceremonies in the manner of a religious denomination without officiants or of a recognized Native American tribe). |
| Courthouse ceremonies | Yes. Magistrates marry couples at the Wake County Justice Center (9th Floor, Room 901) and at the Guilford County magistrate offices in Greensboro and High Point. |
| Ceremony fee | $50 |
Fees and procedures can differ by county. Always confirm with the clerk who will issue your license.
Where to apply
- Wake County Register of Deeds, inside the Wake County Justice Center, 300 S. Salisbury St., Suite 1700, Raleigh, NC (walk-in, no appointment; regional centers are cash only) Official page
- Guilford County Register of Deeds, 325 E. Russell Ave., Room 155, High Point, NC 27260, phone 336-641-7556 (marriage licenses issued 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Official page
The full North Carolina guide
A printable PDF with the step-by-step process, a day-of timeline, a checklist and a budget sheet for North Carolina.
Questions couples ask
How much does a marriage license cost in North Carolina?
The marriage license fee in North Carolina is $60.
Is there a waiting period for a courthouse wedding in North Carolina?
The waiting period in North Carolina is None.
Do you need witnesses to get married at a courthouse in North Carolina?
Witnesses in North Carolina: 2 witnesses.
How long is a marriage license valid in North Carolina?
A marriage license in North Carolina is valid for 60 days.
Sources
Every rule above comes from an official page. We check these pages again every month.
- www.wake.gov: Marriage license fee, License valid for, Required identification, Social Security number required, Witnesses, Who can perform the ceremony, Courthouse ceremonies, Where to apply
- www.guilfordcountync.gov: Marriage license fee, Waiting period after the license is issued, License valid for, Minimum age, Required identification, Residency requirement, Witnesses, Who can perform the ceremony, Ceremony fee
- www.guilfordcountync.gov: Where to apply
This is an informational guide, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with your county clerk.