Who can officiate weddings in North Carolina? How to make sure your marriage is legal
After many weddings were postponed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, industry experts now say the U.S. is experiencing a “wedding boom.”
But how do you make sure your ceremony is legitimate?
It’s important for your officiant to meet the requirements of state law and to follow all other statutes so that your marriage is legally binding. Otherwise, you leave the door open to legal issues throughout your life.
Here’s what to know about finding an officiant and getting your marriage license in North Carolina.
Who can perform a wedding in North Carolina?
Weddings in North Carolina “must be conducted by a recognized officiant” in order to be legally binding, according to the state’s Judicial Branch.
Under state law, “any minister who is ordained in a religious denomination or authorized by a church” can serve as a “recognized officiant.”
“Marriages can also be performed in the recognized manner of any religious denomination that does not use officiants, or in the recognized manner of any federally or state-recognized Native American tribe,” the Judicial Branch says.
For those looking for a secular ceremony, magistrates can also perform weddings.
Many magistrates, including in Mecklenburg County, “set aside certain days and times when they are able to perform marriages at the courthouse or other court office,” Judicial Branch spokesman Charles Keller, Jr. told the Observer. You should contact your county’s magistrate office for more information.
If you’re interested in having a loved one officiate your wedding and they plan to get ordained online, you should contact your county clerk’s office to make sure the program they are using is acceptable under North Carolina law.
Many wedding planning websites, such as The Knot, offer lists of wedding officiants available for hire. You can narrow your search based on the location of your big day and the type of ceremony you’re looking for (religious, interfaith, secular etc.).
How marriage licenses work in North Carolina
For your marriage to be legal, you also need a marriage license.
In North Carolina, you need to get your license before your wedding from the Register of Deeds in your county. Most counties require both parties to apply in person. You should expect to pay a fee and have to provide your social security card and proof of age. If you were married before, you may need to provide proof of divorce.
“Because requirements can vary, you should contact the Register of Deeds in your county with any specific questions,” the Judicial Branch advises.
There is no required waiting period in between when you get your license and your wedding day in North Carolina, but licenses expire after 60 days if the wedding hasn’t happened.
Once your ceremony is over, two witnesses must sign your license. The license must then be returned by your officiant to the Register of Deeds office you got it from within 10 days.
