One of the most often asked questions from my couples, in fact nearly every couple, would be about marriage licenses, i.e. Where do I get it? How do I get it? When do I get it?
First, if you are being married in North Carolina, you will need a marriage license issued in North Carolina. Many couples from out of state have asked me if they could get their license in their hometown in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, etc. The marriage license is issued by the Register of Deeds in each county in NC, and is good anywhere in NC.
There are a few ways to obtain your license. For instance, if you live in say Richmond, VA, and have the day off, run down across the VA/NC line (just a short jaunt) to, I think Halifax County, and get your marriage license. You then bring it to your ceremony in Currituck or Dare Co. The license costs $60 and is good for 60 days. Or, you may choose to pick up your license in Dare or Currituck County. Wonderful news there! Both of these Register of Deeds have on their website (links below) a “wedding” or “marriage” tab that if you click on it will explain to you everything you need to obtain your license. They even have a marriage kiosk, whereby you may enter all of your information online, press send to archive it, and when you show up at the ROD office they use your name to bring up the information to have your license issued in moments. That’s the easy way to do it. The hard way is showing up at the office and filling out the forms there, which could take 30-45 minutes or more, depending on the wait line.
Dare County Register of Deeds
https://www.darenc.com/departments/register-of-deeds/marriages
Currituck County Register of Deeds
https://co.currituck.nc.us/marriage-information/
The following are the requirements as per the Dare County Register of Deeds web page:
For Ages 18-20 yrs
Both parties must personally appear at the Register of Deeds Office.
Both parties must present a certified birth certificate.
Both parties must present a valid government picture ID card (driver’s license, passport, etc.) that includes date of birth information.
You must bring a Social Security card or something valid with your number on it or an affidavit which indicates that you are not eligible for a Social Security number.
The requirement regarding divorce decrees is: If your previous marriage ended in divorce less than a year before, you will need to bring a copy of your divorce decree. If the divorce was more than a year before, you will need the exact month, day, and year of the divorce.
For Ages 21 yrs or Over
Both parties must personally appear at the Register of Deeds Office.
Both parties must present a valid government picture ID card (driver’s license, passport, etc.) that includes date of birth information.
You must bring a Social Security card or something valid with your number on it or an affidavit which indicates that you are not eligible for a Social Security number.
The requirement regarding divorce decrees is: If your previous marriage ended in divorce less than a year before, you will need to bring a copy of your divorce decree. If the divorce was more than a year before, you will need the exact month, day, and year of the divorce.
I do hope this has been a help! For more information about me or getting married on the OBX, view my website (check out the awesome photo gallery!) theouterbanksofficiant.com or visit my Facebook page The Outer Banks Officiant. You can also email me at randebanks@theouterbanksofficiant.com.
