1. What does it cost to get a marriage license?

The fee is $60.00. An optional commemorative keepsake certificate, suitable for framing, is available for an additional $1.00.

 

Of this expense,

$  5.00 of each license fee is forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit in the Children’s Trust Fund

$30.00 to the Department of Administration for the Domestic Violence Center Fund

$25.00 to the county general fund

 

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2. What type of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, check or money order. Checks and money orders are to be made payable to the Rockingham County Register of Deeds.

 

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3. Who may issue a marriage license?

A marriage license shall be issued by a Register of Deeds or deputy or assistant register of deeds upon application of the license, if there appears to be no impediments to the marriage.

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4. Can any other agency issue a marriage license in North Carolina?

No. Only the Register of Deeds or his/her Assistant or Deputy Register of Deeds may issue a marriage license for couples to be married in North Carolina.

 

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5. Do I have to make an appointment to apply for a marriage license?

No.

 

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6. What are the hours that I can apply for a marriage license?

Applications are accepted from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except holidays. We do not close for lunch.

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7. How long does it take to fill out the forms to apply for a marriage license?

It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and process the paperwork.

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8. Must I apply for a marriage license in the county where I live?

No, a marriage license may be applied for in any county in North Carolina and used in any county in North Carolina, but the license is to be returned to the Register of Deeds Office that issued the license.

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9. What if I plan to marry in a North Carolina county other than Rockingham and wish to get my license there?

You may apply for a marriage license in any county in North Carolina, and get married in any county in North Carolina, but the license is to be returned to the Register of Deeds Office that issued the license.

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10. What are the requirements to obtain a marriage license?

AGE & IDENTIFICATION	For bride and/or groom over the age of 21:
	To prove identity, one of the following valid identification is required showing date of birth and photograph: State Driver's License State-issued identification U.S. Passport U.S. Armed Forces identification card U.S. Selective Service card Individual must provide their social security number.
	For bride and/or groom between the age of 18 and 20:
	Present a certified copy of their birth certificate (if foreign, must be translated) To prove identity, one of the following valid identification is required showing date of birth and photograph: State Driver's License State-issued identification U.S. Passport U.S. Armed Forces identification card U.S. Selective Service card Individual must provide their social security number.
	For bride and /or groom 16 or 17 years of age:
	Present a certified copy of their birth certificate (if foreign, must be translated) To prove identity, one of the following valid identification is required showing date of birth and photograph: State Driver's License State-issued identification U.S. Passport U.S. Armed Forces identification card U.S. Selective Service card Individual must provide their social security number. A written consent to the marriage must be filed with the Register of Deeds, said consent having been signed by (1) a parent having full or joint legal custody of the underage party; or (2) by a person, agency, or institution having legal custody or serving as a guardian of the underage party. Proof of custody or guardianship is required. The consent form is available at the Register of Deeds office and must be completed in person - bring proper identification.
	For bride and/or groom who is over 14 years of age and under 16 years of age:
	Provide a certified copy of their birth certificate (if foreign, must be translated) Present a certified court order authorizing the marriage signed by the District Court Judge.
	It shall be unlawful for any person under 14 years of age to marry.
APPEARANCE:	Both parties are to appear in person at the Register of Deeds office to make application, produce documentation, and sign the required paperwork.
SOCIAL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS	Provide your social security number. If the individual has not been assigned a social security number and is ineligible to receive a social security card, an Affidavit of Ineligibility to Obtain a Social Security Number must be completed. Note: A foreigner who is admitted to the United States for permanent residency or employment must be issued a Social Security number. A foreigner not eligible for a Social Security number, 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.
REQUIREMENTS	Written application required License must be purchased in North Carolina. The license is valid in any county in the State of North Carolina, but MUST be returned to the county that issued the license.
DIVORCED APPLICANT	Applicants must provide the month and year of their last divorce. If the divorce was finalized within 6 months of application for a marriage license, the applicant is to provide a copy of the final divorce decree. There is no waiting period between the time of the divorce being granted and applying for a new license.
BLOOD TEST & PREMARITAL PHYSICAL	Blood tests and premarital physicals are not required for marriages in North Carolina.
PROHIBITED MARRIAGES	Same sex marriages are prohibited in North Carolina. Marriage licenses are only issued to male-female couples. A couple may not marry when one of the parties is married to another person. Divorces must be final (absolute divorce). Marriages between direct descendants, such as parent-child, brother and sister, uncle and niece, or aunt and nephew relationship is by half or whole blood - is prohibited. Marriages between cousins is permitted, but not double first cousins.
HOURS OF ISSUANCE	No appointment is necessary Both parties to appear in person at the Register of Deeds office between the hours of 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
TIME REQUIREMENTS	The license is good immediately upon issuance, no waiting period, and is valid for 60 days. License must be returned to the Register of Deeds office that issued the license within 10 days after the marriage ceremony.
RESIDENCY	You do not have to be a resident of North Carolina or a United States citizen to apply for a marriage license in North Carolina.
FEE	The fee for a marriage license is $60. A commemorative keepsake certificate (optional) is available for $1. Cash, check or money order is acceptable. No debit or credit cards are accepted.
WAITING PERIOD	There is no waiting period. The license is good immediately upon issuance and is valid for 60 days.
OFFICIANTS WHO CAN PERFORM MARRIAGES	Marriages in North Carolina may be performed by: An ordained minister of any religious denomination A minister authorized by a church A magistrate Federally or state recognized Indian nation or tribe Any other person authorized to solemnize a marriage under the laws of this State. G.S. 51-1
CIVIL CEREMONIES	Civil ceremonies are performed by magistrates and you may contact them at (336) 634-0210. We suggest that you contact them directly for their hours of operation and fee.
LICENSE FOR CEREMONY OF MARRIAGE	No minister, officer, or any other person authorized to solemnize a marriage under the laws of this State shall perform a ceremony of marriage between a man and woman, or shall declare them to be husband and wife, until there is delivered to that person a license for the marriage of the said persons, signed by the register of deeds of the county in which the marriage license was issued or by a lawful deputy or assistant register of deeds. The person solemnizing the marriage shall complete the certificate on the license and return to the Register of Deeds office that issued the license within 10 days of the marriage ceremony.
MARRIAGE NOT TO BE SOLEMNIZED WITHOUT A LICENSE	Every minister, officer, or any other person authorized to solemnize a marriage under the laws of North Carolina, who marries any couple without a license being first delivered to that person, as required by law, or after the expiration of such license, or who fails to return such license to the register of deeds within 10 days after any marriage celebrated, with the certificate appended filled up and signed, shall forfeit and pay $200 to any person who sues therefore, and shall also be guilty of a Class I misdemeanor.
WITNESSES	At least 2 witnesses are required for the marriage.
REQUIREMENTS AFTER THE CEREMONY	The person solemnizing the marriage shall complete the bottom portion of the license, have two witnesses sign it, print their name, include their address, and return it to the Register of Deeds in the county that issued the license within 10 days after solemnizing. Failure to do so may result in the payment of $200 to any person who sues, and shall be guilty of a Class I misdemeanor.
CHANGING YOUR LAST NAME	If you plan to change your last name, you will need a certified copy of your marriage license. Present a certified copy to both the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration is located at 1624 Way Street in Reidsville (across the street from K-Mart) and may be reached by telephone at (336)342-7796.
OBTAINING A CERTIFIED COPY OF YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE	Certified copies of the marriage license are available from this office after the license has been returned to us. The officiant has 10 days to return the license to us after the marriage has taken place. In Person: To process the request, we need the name of the bride and groom and date of the marriage. The cost is $10 per certified copy. Provide identification. Complete Certified Copy for Vital Record form. For mail requests: To process the request, we need the name of the bride and groom and date of the marriage. The cost is $10 per certified copy. Provide a copy of identification. Complete Certified Copy for Vital Record form. Enclosed stamped, self-addressed envelope.
OBTAINING  LICENSE BY FALSE REPRESENTATION	If any person shall obtain, or aid and abet in obtaining, a marriage license by misrepresentation or false pretenses, that person shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
GENERAL INFO	The completed and returned license is filed, preserved, and will remain permanently on file in the Register of Deeds office.

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11. What if I do not have a social security number?

Each applicant for a marriage license must provide on the application, the applicant's social security number. If an applicant does not have a social security number and is ineligible to obtain one, the applicant must sign "An Affidavit of Ineligibilty" form.

 

You must complete the Affidavit of Ineligibility and have it properly notarized. You may then present this form and proceed with the marriage license application.

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12. I'm not sure if I am still considered married. Can the Register of deeds help me with this?

No. If the people applying for a license are not sure whether they are already married, they need to seek legal advice.

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13. To prove my age, I must bring a certified copy of my birth certificate - where do I get it?

A certified copy of a birth certificate is not the one given to the mother at the hospital containing the footprint of the child. In North Carolina, birth certificates are filed in the county in which the birth occurred and the Register of Deeds is the government official who can affix the seal of their office certifying that the record is a true copy of the original record on file in their office. The NC Department of Vital Records maintains birth records for all counties in North Carolina.

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14. Are premarital physical exams required?

No.

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15. Is a blood test required?

No.

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16. Can the Register of Deeds office perform the marriage ceremony?

No. 

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Unlike some other states, North Carolina does not license people to perform marriage ceremonies and does not have any "register" of people who are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies. Instead, North Carolina marriage law (Chapter 51 of the NC General Statutes) says that a marriage that takes place in NC must be performed in the presence of either:

1. an ordained minister of any religious denomination; or

2. a minister authorized by a church; or

3. a magistrate; or

4. in a mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination; or

5. in a mode of solemnization recognized by any federally or state recognized Indian nation or tribe.

 

The Register of Deeds cannot tell you if the person you wish to perform your marriage ceremony can do so. It is the responsibility of the parties who are marrying and the person performing the ceremony to determine whether the ceremony falls properly within the meaning of Chapter 51 of the North Carolina General Statutes.

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No. North Carolina General Statute 51-6 states that the person authorized to perform the marriage shall require a properly issued license before performing the ceremony and must return the completed license within 10 days after the ceremony to the Register of Deeds office that issued the license.

 

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A marriage license may be applied for in any county in North Carolina and used in any county in North Carolina, but the license is to be returned to the Register of Deeds Office that issued the license. The law does not state that the Register of Deeds is allowed to file among its marriage records any marriage license for which it did not issue.

 

We suggest that you contact the embassy of any country outside the United States for guidance on how to obtain a certified copy of a marriage record from that particular country.

 

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North Carolina marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. The person performing the marriage ceremony must return the marriage license to the Register of Deeds that issued the license within 10 days after the marriage is performed.

 

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It is valid immediately and remains valid for sixty (60) days from the date of issuance. 

 

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If you were divorced within 6 months of applying for your marriage license, we require a copy of the divorce judgment showing that you have received an absolute divorce. A divorce from bed and board is not a final divorce decree, rather it is usually received in the interim to help with the division of property or matters as to custody of children, etc. If you are not sure that you have received a an absolute divorce, you should contact your attorney or the judge who signed the document to be sure you are no longer married and can enter into a new contract to marry. 

 

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If the divorce took place in Rockingham County, you may obtain a copy of your divorce judgment from the Clerk of Superior Court on the first floor of the Courthouse. You may call them at (336) 342-8700 for more information.

 

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24. My previous marriage ended with the death of my spouse; do I need to bring my spouse's death certificate?

It is not necessary to bring your spouse's death certificate when applying for a new marriage license. You will be asked on the marriage application to indicate how the last marriage ended (divorce, annulment, death) and you will need to indicate the month, day and year.

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25. How far back to the marriage records exist at the Rockingham County Register of Deeds office?

Marriage records beginning in 1867 are available for viewing for those marriages that occurred in Rockingham County.

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26. How long does it take to obtain a certified copy of our marriage license?

Once the license is returned to the office, a certified copy can be issued upon your completing the Request for a Certified Copy and the payment of $10 per certified copy.

 

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27. How can I obtain a certified copy of my marriage certificate?

• Certified copies of the marriage license are available from this office after the license has been returned to us.
• The officiant has 10 days to return the license to us after the marriage has taken place.

In Person:

• To process the request, we need the name of the bride and groom and date of the marriage.
• The cost is $10 per certified copy.
• Provide identification.
• Complete Certified Copy for Vital Record form.

For mail requests:

• To process the request, we need the name of the bride and groom and date of the marriage.
• The cost is $10 per certified copy.
• Provide a copy of identification.
• Complete Certified Copy for Vital Record form.
• Enclosed stamped, self-addressed envelope.

We strive to process the request within 24 hours of receipt of request.

 

You may also contact the NC Department of Health & Human Services, Vital Records Division at (919) 733-3526 or http://vitalrecords.dhhs.state.nc.us/vr/index.html  

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28. Who may obtain a certified copy of my marriage certificate?

Pursuant to NCGS 130A-93(c):

North Carolina law allows the issuance of a certified marriage certificate ONLY to:

• The applicant

• The applicant's spouse

• The applicant's children

• The applicant's parents

• The applicant's brother/sister

• The applicant's stepchildren/stepparents

• The applicant's grandchildren/grandparents

• Anyone seeking information for legal determination of personal or property rights

• An authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative of the applicant. Proof required.

Proper picture identification and fee must be presented, and the appropriate form "Application for Certified Copy of Vital Record" completed.

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29. Can I marry my cousin?

Yes. North Carolina law prohibits close blood relations from legally marrying such as parent-child; brother-sister; uncle-niece. The nearest degree of relations who may legally marry in North Carolina is first cousins, but not double first cousins.

 

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Marriages, whether created by common law, contracted, or performed outside of North Carolina, between individuals of the same gender are not valid in North Carolina. Refer to N.C.G.S. 51-1.2.

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Magistrates are on duty 24 hours a day in Wentworth. You may contact them directly at 336.634.0210 to find out their hours of operation for performing a marriage and their fee.

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