• Applicants (both bride and groom) 21 years of age or above may use one (1) of the following forms of identification :
  - Driver's license (may not be expired), or
  - State-issued I.D. Card (may not be expired), or
  - Passport (may not be expired), or
  - Military I.D. (may not be expired), or
  - Certified copy of birth certificate

• Applicants (bride and groom) 20 years of age or younger must have a certified copy of their birth certificate.

• Applicants (bride and groom) 16 or 17 years of age must have parental consent and certified copies of their birth certificate in order to acquire a license.
• Applicants (bride and groom) 15 years of age must present certified court order authorizing marriage from District Court Judge.

Cost and Location to obtain marriage license

• $50 CASH is required for a marriage license. Only cash is accepted. The license is good immediately upon issuance and is valid for 60 days.

• Applicants (bride and groom) who wish to obtain their marriage licenses in Wake County may complete their application online or at the Wake County Register of Deeds office, 300 S. Salisbury St., 1st floor, Raleigh, NC 27601.

• Applicants (bride and groom) must show their identification and sign the marriage license at the Wake County Register of Deeds office. Marriage licenses are issued between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding County-observed holidays. Couples applying between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. should expect up to an hour's wait. The Register of Deeds is located at 300 S. Salisbury St., 1st floor, Raleigh, NC 27601. Call (919) 856-5460 if you need more information.

Divorced Applicants

• Divorced applicants (bride and groom) must provide the month and year of their last divorce. If the divorce was finalized within 30 days of applying for the marriage license, the applicant must provide an original or certified copy of the divorce decree. There is no waiting period between the divorce and applying for the new license. The Wake County Register of Deeds does not handle divorces. To obtain information about divorce proceedings, follow this link to the Clerk of Superior Court.

More Information About Getting Married in North Carolina

• Persons do NOT need to be residents of North Carolina to marry in Wake County or North Carolina.

• A premarital physical is NOT required.

• Marriages may be performed by an ordained minister of any religious denomination, a minister authorized by a church, a magistrate, or a federally or State recognized Indian nation or Tribe. Two witnesses are required.

• Civil ceremonies are performed by magistrates at the following locations and times:

• During regular business hours, marriages are performed in the Wake County Courthouse by a magistrate. The Courthouse is located between Martin and Davie Streets with entrances from Salisbury Street (across from the Register of Deeds) and Fayetteville Street Mall. The fee is $20. No appointment is necessary. Between 10 am and 11:30 am, marriages are During regular business hours, marriages are performed in the Wake County Courthouse by a magistrate. The Courthouse is located between Martin and Davie Streets with entrances from Salisbury Street (across from the Register of Deeds) and Fayetteville Street Mall. The fee is $20. No appointment is necessary. Between 10 am and 11:30 am, marriages are performed in Courtroom 921. From 3:00 pm. to 4:30 pm, marriages are performed in Courtroom 9G, 9H or 9I. If you need further assistance, call 755-4159 and leave a message on voice mail. Someone will return your call.

• If you wish to be married in the evening or on weekends, the Magistrates' Office within the Wake County Public Safety Center can provide this service. The Public Safety Center is located at 330 S. Salisbury Street at the corner of Salisbury and Davie. As you enter the Public Safety Center lobby, you will see the Magistrates' Office to the right. Ceremonies are performed on a first-come, first-served basis, and no appointments are accepted.

Obtaining Certified Copies

• You can purchase a certified copy of your marriage license for $10.00. You can acquire a certified copy by visiting our office or requesting by mail at: P. O. Box 1897, Raleigh, N.C. 27602

• The Wake County Register of Deeds can only provide copies of marriage licenses that were issued by the Wake County Register of Deeds office. Contact NC Vital Records for other marriage records.

If You Want to Change Your Last Name

• You should obtain a certified copy of your marriage license (following the ceremony) for a name change on your driver’s license and your Social Security card. Wait at least TEN days after the ceremony before requesting copies to allow sufficient time to return your license to us. You may acquire a certified copy by visiting our office or requesting it by mail at: P. 0. Box 1897, Raleigh, NC 27602

• In your request, please include the name of bride and groom and the date of the marriage. Certified copies of your marriage license are $10 each. Check or cash will be accepted.

• Present the certified copy to both the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration is located at 4701 Old Wake Forest Road in Raleigh. Click on this link for more information from the Social Security Administration or contact the office by phone at 790-2782.

If You Do Not Have A Social Security Number

• Applicants who are not eligible for a Social Security number may obtain a marriage license by signing an affidavit attesting to this fact. The affidavit is available in the Register of Deeds office or can be printed out here (affidavit).

• Note: A foreigner admitted to the United States for permanent residence or to engage in employment must be issued a Social Security number. A foreigner not eligible for a Social Security card but who was legally admitted to the United States can use an individual identification number (ITIN) in lieu of a Social Security number. To obtain an ITIN number, contact the IRS Tax Administration Office to fill out a W-7 form.