Obtaining a Marriage License
A marriage license may be obtained from the Register of Deeds office in any county
in North Carolina. The license is good for 60 days from the date of issue and a
ceremony can be held in any location within North Carolina. After the ceremony,
the license must be returned to the county that issued the license. See Marriage License Checklist.
To obtain a marriage license in Forsyth County, applicants must apply in person
at the Register of Deeds office. If over 18 years of age and one applicant is unable
to appear in person, the other party to the marriage must appear in person on behalf
of the applicant and submit a sworn and notarized affidavit, along with proof of
age and social security number for both parties. An Affidavit in Lieu of Personal Appearance form may be printed
from our website.
If you plan to obtain a marriage license in another North Carolina county, contact
them directly for current hours and requirements.
Click here for a link to other NC Counties websites. Once there, click on
the map for a specific county’s contact information.
Save Time in Our Office
Couples applying for a marriage license must complete a worksheet. To save a considerable
amount of time in our office, please
complete the Marriage Worksheet online. The data entered is confidential
and used only for the license. Enter the data and click ‘save’. No printout is needed.
When you appear in our office, the worksheet can be retrieved.
If you prefer, the worksheet can be completed on a computer in our office. Before
your visit, be sure to gather all information needed for the worksheet and allow
extra processing time.
1) Completed Marriage Worksheet
To save a substantial amount of time in our office, a marriage worksheet may be
completed online.
Otherwise, please plan extra time for the application process.
2) Proof of Social Security Number
Proof of Social Security Number is required for all applicants. Acceptable proof
includes original social security card, tax form, bank statement or other valid
proof indicating the number and name of the individual. Those without a social security
number must sign an affidavit in our office stating they are not eligible for the
number.
3) Proof of Age
|
Age
|
Requirement
|
|
14
|
Cannot marry
|
|
14 - 15
|
- Can marry ONLY in the case of pregnancy or birth of a child
- CERTIFIED copy of District Court Order
- CERTIFIED birth certificate
|
|
16 - 17
|
- CERTIFIED birth certificate
- Consent of a parent having full or joint custody – acknowledged before the Register
of Deeds
- Valid Photo ID of the person giving consent
|
|
18 - 20
|
CERTIFIED birth certificate
|
18 - 20 &
NO birth certificate
|
Driver’s license PLUS one of the following:
- Hospital or police record of birth
- Passport
Name and birth date must be on these proofs. Without photo ID, TWO records must
be presented.
|
|
21 +
|
Valid Photo ID with name and date of birth
|
4) Divorced Applicants
If one or both applicants are divorced, the month and year of the final divorce
decree(s) must be listed on the marriage worksheet. Copies of the decree are not
required. If unsure of date, please contact the clerk of courts in the county where
the divorce was processed.
5) Physical Exam & Blood Testing - NOT REQUIRED
6) Fee
See fees page.
Hours for Obtaining a License
The hours for obtaining a marriage license in Forsyth County are between 8:00 am
and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. We do not close for lunch. You must be in our
office before 4:30 pm. We do not issue marriage licenses after that time.
No Waiting Period
There is NO waiting period in North Carolina. A license may be used immediately
or at any time within a 60-day period from the date of issuance.
Marriages by Magistrates
If you plan to get married by a Magistrate, you must make an appointment. Please
call between 8:00 - 9:00 am and 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Their phone numbers and schedules
are as follows: Winston-Salem - (336) 779-6319
Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday
Hall of Justice, Room 434 Kernersville -
(336) 993-5389
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Call for Directions