How to Get a Marriage License in Wake County

What it costs, how far ahead you have to apply, what to bring, and the parts that catch couples out.

Before you book an appointment

You don't need an appointment. Marriage license applications are handled on a walk-in basis, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The general Recording & Vital Records counter is open a little later, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Both of you have to be there. Wake County is direct about it: "Both parties must be present in person to apply for a marriage license." Plan the trip for a time you can both make.

What it costs

The license costs $60.

How you can pay depends on where you go. At the downtown Raleigh Justice Center office, you can pay with cash or a credit card. The four regional centers are cash only, so bring bills if you're heading to one of those.

How far ahead to apply

There's no waiting period in North Carolina. As Wake County puts it, "The license can be used immediately upon issuance," and the NC Judicial Branch confirms the state requires no wait between issuance and the wedding. If you wanted to, you could apply and marry the same day.

The license is good for 60 days. Wake County: "The wedding ceremony must take place in North Carolina within 60 days of obtaining the marriage license." So don't apply too early either — if your date is more than 60 days out, wait.

What to bring

Each of you needs to bring:

• A valid government-issued ID
• Proof of your Social Security number
• Payment — $60, cash or credit card at the downtown Raleigh Justice Center office, cash only at the regional centers

If you live outside the county, or outside North Carolina

There's no residency requirement, and out-of-county couples don't pay more. The fee is $60 for everyone.

You also aren't limited to the county where you'll marry. Wake County notes that "All of North Carolina's 100 Register of Deeds offices issue marriage licenses that can be used anywhere in the state," so you can apply here and hold the ceremony in any North Carolina county. The one condition: the ceremony must take place in North Carolina, within 60 days.

Filling out the application in advance

You can fill out the application before you go. Wake County's advice: "Save time and fill out the Marriage License application online before you arrive. Or complete when you arrive on one of the computers on-site."

The self-service portal is at https://vitalrecords.wake.gov/web/, where you can "apply for a Marriage License or obtain a certified copy of a birth, death or marriage."

After the ceremony

The person who performs your ceremony is responsible for returning the license — not you. The license itself instructs the officiant: "You are required within 10 days after you shall have celebrated such marriage, to return this license to me at my office with your signature subscribed to the certificate under this license."

It goes back to the county that issued it. Wake County: "The original license must be returned to the county where it was issued." If you're marrying elsewhere in the state, make sure your officiant knows the license comes back to Wake County.