Getting Married in North Carolina
NC Marriage License Information
You may apply for a license at the Register of Deeds Office in any NC county up to 60 days in advance. It does not have to be in the same county as the wedding, although that can be helpful. No tests are needed, but you do need photo ID, physical Social Security Card, and $60 (cash recommended). The cost is set by the state. Only the couple, the officiant and two witnesses need be present at the ceremony. After the wedding, your officiant returns the signed license back to the office it came from. Your official marriage certificate should be available within 1-2 weeks. (For $10 more you can pre-pay to have them mail you the official marriage certificate.) DO review the information on the Register of Deeds website, and call ahead to see if an appointment is needed. Note: If your honeymoon destination requires proof of marriage to guarantee a newlywed rate, take a copy of the signed marriage license with you.
Buncombe County Register of Deeds
205 College St, Asheville, NC 28801
For Asheville, Biltmore, Black Mt, Fairview, Leicester, Weaverville, et al.
Cherokee County (NC) Register of Deeds
Andrews, Murphy
Cleveland County (NC) Register of Deeds
First Floor, County Administration Building, 311 East Marion Street, Shelby
Boiling Springs, Kings Mountain, Shelby
Haywood County Register of Deeds
Canton, Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley, Waynesville, et al.
Henderson County Register of Deeds
Flat Rock, Fletcher, Hendersonville, Mills River, Saluda, et al.
Jackson County Register of Deeds
Cashiers, Cullowhee, Dillsboro, Sylva, et al.
Macon County Register of Deeds
Franklin, Highlands, et al.
Madison County Register of Deeds
Mars Hill, Marshall, Hot Springs, et al.
McDowell County Register of Deeds
Marion, Nebo, Old Fort, et al.
Polk County Register of Deeds
Columbus, Saluda, Tryon
Rutherford County Register of Deeds
Lake Lure, Rutherfordton, et al.
Transylvania County Register of Deeds
Brevard, Lake Toxaway, Sapphire, et al.
Swain County Register of Deeds
Bryson City, Cherokee, Fontana Lake (North Shore)
NC Ministers and Officiants
Any person ordained by a church, synagogue, religious association, or non-religious institution can perform a marriage ceremony in this state. Courthouse magistrates may perform ceremonies, but they rarely leave the courthouse or jail to do so. The officiant, minister, or celebrant does not need to present a license, certification, or letter. Online ordination from most services, i.e., The Universal Life Church ARE valid in this state by statute. The only requirement is that the institution have a physical address that can be verified. This is so that the registrar can contact someone if they need to get in touch with the officiant and are unable to do so. However, some of these unions have been challenged in court during divorce proceedings, with varying judgments. To be safe, choose someone who has obtained some type of training along with their license.
These are links to our preferred non-denominational ministers and officiants who perform religious or non-religious ceremonies, whatever you prefer.
Rev. Jacqueline Weiks
www.ncminister.com
(828) 508-1911
[email protected]
She can lead you in creating a unique and personal ceremony with a religious or non-religious nature
Philip Lingle
Love and Wisdom, Inc.
828-768-9355
[email protected]
Group of experienced officiants familiar with a wide variety of religious and non-religious traditions.
See our blog for additional advice about choosing a minister.
You may apply for a license at the Register of Deeds Office in any NC county up to 60 days in advance. It does not have to be in the same county as the wedding, although that can be helpful. No tests are needed, but you do need photo ID, physical Social Security Card, and $60 (cash recommended). The cost is set by the state. Only the couple, the officiant and two witnesses need be present at the ceremony. After the wedding, your officiant returns the signed license back to the office it came from. Your official marriage certificate should be available within 1-2 weeks. (For $10 more you can pre-pay to have them mail you the official marriage certificate.) DO review the information on the Register of Deeds website, and call ahead to see if an appointment is needed. Note: If your honeymoon destination requires proof of marriage to guarantee a newlywed rate, take a copy of the signed marriage license with you.
Buncombe County Register of Deeds
205 College St, Asheville, NC 28801
For Asheville, Biltmore, Black Mt, Fairview, Leicester, Weaverville, et al.
Cherokee County (NC) Register of Deeds
Andrews, Murphy
Cleveland County (NC) Register of Deeds
First Floor, County Administration Building, 311 East Marion Street, Shelby
Boiling Springs, Kings Mountain, Shelby
Haywood County Register of Deeds
Canton, Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley, Waynesville, et al.
Henderson County Register of Deeds
Flat Rock, Fletcher, Hendersonville, Mills River, Saluda, et al.
Jackson County Register of Deeds
Cashiers, Cullowhee, Dillsboro, Sylva, et al.
Macon County Register of Deeds
Franklin, Highlands, et al.
Madison County Register of Deeds
Mars Hill, Marshall, Hot Springs, et al.
McDowell County Register of Deeds
Marion, Nebo, Old Fort, et al.
Polk County Register of Deeds
Columbus, Saluda, Tryon
Rutherford County Register of Deeds
Lake Lure, Rutherfordton, et al.
Transylvania County Register of Deeds
Brevard, Lake Toxaway, Sapphire, et al.
Swain County Register of Deeds
Bryson City, Cherokee, Fontana Lake (North Shore)
NC Ministers and Officiants
Any person ordained by a church, synagogue, religious association, or non-religious institution can perform a marriage ceremony in this state. Courthouse magistrates may perform ceremonies, but they rarely leave the courthouse or jail to do so. The officiant, minister, or celebrant does not need to present a license, certification, or letter. Online ordination from most services, i.e., The Universal Life Church ARE valid in this state by statute. The only requirement is that the institution have a physical address that can be verified. This is so that the registrar can contact someone if they need to get in touch with the officiant and are unable to do so. However, some of these unions have been challenged in court during divorce proceedings, with varying judgments. To be safe, choose someone who has obtained some type of training along with their license.
These are links to our preferred non-denominational ministers and officiants who perform religious or non-religious ceremonies, whatever you prefer.
Rev. Jacqueline Weiks
www.ncminister.com
(828) 508-1911
[email protected]
She can lead you in creating a unique and personal ceremony with a religious or non-religious nature
Philip Lingle
Love and Wisdom, Inc.
828-768-9355
[email protected]
Group of experienced officiants familiar with a wide variety of religious and non-religious traditions.
See our blog for additional advice about choosing a minister.
Getting Married in South Carolina
South Carolina Marriage Requirements
You can apply for a license in any SC county, but it's best to do it in the county of the wedding. The bride and groom should go to the County Probate Judge's office to fill out an application for a marriage license. After 24 hours, they mail your license or you may return to pick it up. Since it takes a few days, it's best to do this well ahead of time. They never expire. Prices and requirements vary by county, but all require a photo ID, original SS Card or passport, and cash. Costs range from $35-$100. Any minister of the Gospel, rabbi or notary public can perform the ceremony. (Probate judges may perform the ceremony at the courthouse if you make an appointment ahead of time. Their fees range from $10-$100.) Mail the signed document back after the ceremony, then allow about a week to request a certified copy for your records. There is also a charge for this ($5-$25), so ask about it at the time you get your marriage license and make sure to get the address you need to mail it to. It's not always printed on the license form.
Here are the Probate Courts in some of the SC Counties where we work:
Greenville County Probate Court
Greenville County Square, Suite 5600, 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: (864) 467-7170
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am - 4:30 pm
Cost: $35 cash or credit card
Note: Probate Judges in Greenville Co do not do weddings
Oconee County Probate Court
415 S. Pine St. Room 202, PO Box 471, Walhalla, SC 29691
Phone: (864) 638-4275
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30
$30 for SC residents; $45 for non SC residents
Pickens County Probate Court
222 McDaniel Avenue, B-16, Pickens, SC 29671
Phone: (864) 898-5903
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $35 cash
Spartanburg County Probate Court
Spartanburg County Courthouse, 1st Floor, Suite 302, 180 Magnolia St, Spartanburg, SC 29306
Phone: (864) 596-2556
Hours: 8:30 - 5:00, Monday - Friday
Charleston, SC
Charleston County Marriage License Office
100 Broad Street, Suite 469, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843)958-5183
Hours: 8:30-4:30 Mon-Fri
You can apply for a license in any SC county, but it's best to do it in the county of the wedding. The bride and groom should go to the County Probate Judge's office to fill out an application for a marriage license. After 24 hours, they mail your license or you may return to pick it up. Since it takes a few days, it's best to do this well ahead of time. They never expire. Prices and requirements vary by county, but all require a photo ID, original SS Card or passport, and cash. Costs range from $35-$100. Any minister of the Gospel, rabbi or notary public can perform the ceremony. (Probate judges may perform the ceremony at the courthouse if you make an appointment ahead of time. Their fees range from $10-$100.) Mail the signed document back after the ceremony, then allow about a week to request a certified copy for your records. There is also a charge for this ($5-$25), so ask about it at the time you get your marriage license and make sure to get the address you need to mail it to. It's not always printed on the license form.
Here are the Probate Courts in some of the SC Counties where we work:
Greenville County Probate Court
Greenville County Square, Suite 5600, 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: (864) 467-7170
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am - 4:30 pm
Cost: $35 cash or credit card
Note: Probate Judges in Greenville Co do not do weddings
Oconee County Probate Court
415 S. Pine St. Room 202, PO Box 471, Walhalla, SC 29691
Phone: (864) 638-4275
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30
$30 for SC residents; $45 for non SC residents
Pickens County Probate Court
222 McDaniel Avenue, B-16, Pickens, SC 29671
Phone: (864) 898-5903
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $35 cash
Spartanburg County Probate Court
Spartanburg County Courthouse, 1st Floor, Suite 302, 180 Magnolia St, Spartanburg, SC 29306
Phone: (864) 596-2556
Hours: 8:30 - 5:00, Monday - Friday
Charleston, SC
Charleston County Marriage License Office
100 Broad Street, Suite 469, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843)958-5183
Hours: 8:30-4:30 Mon-Fri
There are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. I Corinthians 12:3