North Carolina Wedding Laws
What to expect when officiating a wedding.
Get Ordained
Steps to Perform a Wedding in North Carolina
1. Become an Ordained Minister
To officiate weddings in North Carolina, you must be ordained. Ministries of Love offers free online ordination, which takes just a few minutes. Once ordained, you’ll be legally recognized as a minister in the state.
2. 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.
The ceremony can be customized to reflect the couple’s beliefs, traditions, and preferences.
3. Marriage License Requirements
Couples must pick up their marriage license in person from the Register of Deeds in any North Carolina county.
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.
COVID-19 Adjustments: Applications may be submitted via video conference or mail.
4. Perform the Wedding Ceremony
The ceremony must:
- Include verbal consent from both parties.
- Be witnessed by two adults.
- Conclude with the officiant’s formal pronouncement of marriage.
5. Return the Marriage License
North Carolina issues marriage licenses valid for 60 days. The officiant must:
- 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.
Failure to return the completed license within the 10-day timeframe may result in a $200 fine.
Legal Reference: North Carolina Marriage Code
North Carolina recognizes marriages solemnized by ordained ministers, magistrates, or other authorized officials. Ministries of Love ordination ensures legal recognition for officiants without restrictions based on residency, gender, or religious beliefs.
Quick Facts for Wedding Officiants in North Carolina
-
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
Steps to Perform a Wedding in North Carolina
1. Become an Ordained Minister
To officiate weddings in North Carolina, you must be ordained. Ministries of Love offers free online ordination, which takes just a few minutes. Once ordained, you’ll be legally recognized as a minister in the state.
2. 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.
The ceremony can be customized to reflect the couple’s beliefs, traditions, and preferences.
3. Marriage License Requirements
Couples must pick up their marriage license in person from the Register of Deeds in any North Carolina county.
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.
COVID-19 Adjustments: Applications may be submitted via video conference or mail.
4. Perform the Wedding Ceremony
The ceremony must:
- Include verbal consent from both parties.
- Be witnessed by two adults.
- Conclude with the officiant’s formal pronouncement of marriage.
5. Return the Marriage License
North Carolina issues marriage licenses valid for 60 days. The officiant must:
- 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.
Failure to return the completed license within the 10-day timeframe may result in a $200 fine.
Legal Reference: North Carolina Marriage Code
North Carolina recognizes marriages solemnized by ordained ministers, magistrates, or other authorized officials. Ministries of Love ordination ensures legal recognition for officiants without restrictions based on residency, gender, or religious beliefs.