Making It Official - Marriage License Requirements
What do I need to be legally married on the Outer Banks?
A North Carolina marriage license.
Where do I get it?
Marriage licenses can be obtained from the Register of Deeds office in any North Carolina county. You do not have to get the license in the county in which you plan to get married, unless that is the most convenient county for you. The local Register of Deeds offices are:
- Dare County Register of Deeds: Dare County Justice Center, 962 Marshall Collins Drive, (off U.S. Highway 64), Manteo, 252-473-3438. Licenses handled from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
- Currituck County Register of Deeds: Currituck County Governmental Center, U.S. Highway 158, 12 miles south of Virginia/N.C. state line, Currituck, 252-232-3297. Licenses handled from 8 am to 4 pm.
What do I need to bring?
The Register of Deeds offices in the state have different requirements about what you need to bring to get your license, so always call ahead. For example, Dare County requires proof of your social security number (card or tax return), while Currituck County does not. You’ll need a photo ID wherever you go. If you have been married before, you need documentation of when the previous marriage ended. A blood test is not required in North Carolina. Know this information as well because it is recorded on the license: Your parents’ full names (including both mothers’ maiden names), the cities and states they were born in and the states they live in now. You will also be asked the name of the county and state in which you were born.
Do we both have to go?
It’s definitely easiest if both applicants get the license together. If one of the applicants cannot show up to get the marriage license, the applicant who can attend must bring a notarized paper stating why the person is unable to show up and a copy of his or her signature. Some counties have affidavits for the person to fill out, sign and have notarized.
How much does the license cost?
The license costs $50, payable in cash or check.
When should I get the license?
There is no waiting period after you get the license, so you can get married the same day if you’d like. You must use the license within 60 days of issuance.
Then what do I do with it?
Bring your marriage license to the wedding. After the wedding ceremony, whoever performs the ceremony is required to give the couple a marriage certificate. This certificate includes the couple’s names and address, the date of the marriage, the county that issued the license, and the date of the license. The minister or magistrate must sign the license. The license must be returned to the Register of Deeds in the county in which the couple was married. This is the official record of the ceremony. The minister or magistrate typically returns the license to the Register of Deeds for you.
Who can legally marry us?
In North Carolina, magistrates and ordained ministers are the only people who can perform marriage ceremonies. There are no justices of the peace in North Carolina. There must be two witnesses at any marriage, whether it is civil or religious. To find an ordained minister, see the "Planners & Officiants" section of the Registry of Wedding Professionals in the back of this guide, or consult a wedding planner.
Dare County Magistrate’s Office: 252-473-2010
Currituck County Magistrate’s Office: 252-232-3404
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