Marriage License

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Buncombe County:
Vital Records Section
Buncombe County Register of Deeds,
205 College St, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 250-4300; Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm
Complete the application online.

Henderson County: 
Henderson County Courthouse
200 North Grove Street, Suite 129
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 697-4901.
Marriage Licenses are issued BY APPOINTMENT ONLY between the hours of 10am - 3pm Monday through Friday.

Transylvania County:
Transylvania County Courthouse
12 East Main St,
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-3162
Complete the online application & the affidavit of eligibility forms, and more. Then make an Appointment for 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Allow at least 20 to 30 minutes to process.
A wedding ceremony is the public declaration of a personal/spiritual commitment that usually also creates a legal entity called a marriage.


In North Carolina:
  • A marriage license must be secured from the Register of Deeds office of any county in NC.  
  • The marriage license is valid for sixty (60) days from the date of issuance.
  • There is no blood test requirement or waiting period.
 
  • The marriage license fee is $60.00 (cash or check, or debit/credit cards with convenience fee) 
  • Following the ceremony, the officiant will complete the license and return both copies to the Register of Deeds Office where it was issued. The license then becomes an official record.  You do NOT get a copy unless you request and pay for it! 
  • A Certificate of Marriage may be obtained upon request for $10.00 per certified copy. You may pre-pay for a Certified Certificate when you purchase the license, or submit a request in person or online (Buncombe: vitalrecords.buncombecounty.org) or in writing. You will need a certified copy (along with other documents) to legally change your name with Social Security, and then with the DMV. You will probably need a certified copy at some time in your life, so I suggest you get one certified copy now, store it with other important papers, and take a photo of it. 
 
  • Your ceremony requires two witnesses (age 18 or older) who will sign both copies of the license (in addition to the Officiant).
  • Both copies of the license must be returned to the Register of Deeds office within 10 days of the ceremony.  Once the marriage license has been returned, you may purchase a marriage certificate from the Register of Deeds office.
  • You may marry in North Carolina by either a civil or religious ceremony. A civil ceremony is conducted by a magistrate. A religious ceremony is performed by an ordained minister of any denomination.
 
  • Both applicants should be present when you apply for a marriage license. If one of the parties is unable to appear, the other party must appear in person and present a sworn & notarized affidavit from the other party.
  • Current, valid, Photo ID is required of each, i.e. Drivers License or certified copy of Birth Certificate
  • Each is required to present their Social Security card that is not laminated or documentary proof of their Social Security number, i.e. W-2 form, payroll stub, tax return, Military discharge, Medicaid/Medicare Card, Voter's Registration Card containing SSN, Health Insurance Card containing SSN, or a statement from the Social Security Office stating their Social Security number. 
  • If you have been divorced in the last 30 days you should bring a certified copy of your divorce decree papers. If either applicant has been married before, the month and year when the previous marriage ended is required information on the license.
  • The full legal age for marriage is 18 years.  Applicants 18 to 20 must present a certified copy of their birth certificate and a Social Security card. Applicants 16 to 17 must submit a certified copy of their birth certificate, a Social Security card, and at least one parent, or legal guardian with full or joint custody, who have proper identification, and who will give their written consent (on the marriage applications) must be present. Applicants 14 to 15 must provide a certified copy of a Court Order authorizing the marriage as well as a certified birth certificate and a Social Security card.

  • Office hours for some County Register of Deeds offices are 8am-4pm. (The hours are VERY different in various counties!) To insure that issuance is completed by closing time, applicants should arrive by 3:00 pm. An appointment may or may not be necessary! Check your county's website.

On October 10, 2014, same-sex marriage became legal in North Carolina.  

Common Law marriage or "marriage by consent" is not recognized in North Carolina.  So get that license!  

Here's a nice summary of various laws about marriage in North Carolina:
http://www.montylaw.com/north-carolina-family-laws/marriage-laws.aspx 
North Carolina Statutes - Chapter 51. - Marriage.
or http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/pdf/ByChapter/Chapter_51.pdf

Article 1. General Provisions.

§ 51-1.  Requisites of marriage; solemnization.
A valid and sufficient marriage is created by the consent of a male and female person who may lawfully marry, presently to take each other as husband and wife, freely, seriously and plainly expressed by each in the presence of the other, either:
(1)   a.  In the presence of an ordained minister of any religious denomination, a minister authorized by a church, or a magistrate; and
        b.  With the consequent declaration by the minister or magistrate that the persons are husband and wife; or
(2)   In accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination, or federally or State recognized Indian Nation or Tribe.
How do I change my name after marriage?
First, please obtain a certified copy of your marriage license from the Register of Deeds Office.
​You must then present this document along with other required documentation to the Social Security Administration. Once you have applied for a social security card in your new name, you may visit the Department of Motor Vehicles to update your driver license.