Congratulations y'all! I'm so hyped that y'all are getting married!
How do you get married in Wilmington, NC?
Here's your checklist.
- Fill out a Marriage License Form
- Get an Appointment at Register of Deeds office in New Hanover
- Bring a Valid Photo ID or Driver's License or Passport (You'll need these)
- Bring $60 cash, check, or card for your Marriage License (wait 24 Hours to pick up your License)
- Bring proof of Social Security(card, paystub, or tax form)
- Set up an Appointment with the Courthouse or Officiant.
- Attend the ceremony with your partner and 2 witnesses.
- Sign the marriage license.
- Have the officiant file the license.
- Congrats, you're officially married!
HOW TO GET A NEW HANOVER MARRIAGE LICENSE
First you'll need to schedule an appointment at Register of Deeds office in New Hanover
Schedule an appointment online here or Call (910) 798-4530
Requirements:
- Complete a Marriage Form Here.
- You'll need to provide a valid photo ID, a driver's license or passport and a proof of Social Security.
- Bring your partner at the New Hanover County Register of Deeds office in Wilmington to apply for a marriage license.
- $60 cash or card.
Notes
- You both must be at least 18 years old. If either of you is 16 or 17, you'll need parental consent.
- If you plan to wed in North Carolina, you can get a marriage license from the Register of Deeds in any county in the state.
- They DO NOT perform the ceremony there. You'll need an Officiant to do that for you.
- You can also hire with one of our officiants to get you married anywhere you wish, inquire Photography + Officant below!
Then head to Register of Deeds office at the date and time of your appointment
Register of Deeds New Hanover County Office
320 Chestnut St #102
Wilmington, NC 28401
Monday-Friday | 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Getting married in Wilmington, NC
You have 2 ways of getting married in New Hanover County.
You can either:
- schedule an appointment at the Courthouse
- hire an Officiant to make your ceremony for you.
Getting married at the courthouse
Once you get your marriage license, you can schedule a time with the magistrate at the courthouse.
Requirements:
- Appointment with at the courthouse
- Your Marriage License
- Your partner and two witnesses
Notes:
- A courthouse official or magistrate will officiate the ceremony.
- You can have up to 6 people in the courtroom.
- You can request a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the Register of Deeds office for a fee. This certificate serves as proof of your marriage.
During the ceremony, the courthouse official and witnesses will sign the marriage license, making your marriage legally valid.
Congrats you're married!
Wilmington NC Officiant
Getting married using an Officiant
You do not have to get married in a courthouse. Once you get a marriage license form from the Register of Deeds/Courthouse, you can hire an officiant to elope at your desired location.
After the Ceremony
The officiant will file the signed marriage license with the Register of Deeds office to officially record your marriage.
To enquire, submit a form for Officiant + Photographer + Witnesses Below!
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE?
If you're coming from out of state and wanting to get married in North Carolina, its possible to apply for an appointment, arrive at Register of Deeds, get a marriage license, and get married on the same day.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET MARRIED AT A NORTH CAROLINA COURTHOUSE?
$60 for the marriage license, you can set up an appointment and get married on the same day.
CAN YOU GET YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE AND GET MARRIED THE SAME DAY IN NC?
Yes, you can get your marriage license and get married on the same day in NC.
Wilmington Elopement Photographer
 
Hey! I'm Glenn, Elopement Photographer based in Wilmington. Thanks for reading my article on "How to get married in Wilmington."
If you're looking for an officiant and a photographer to plan your elopement, ANYWHERE in South East North Carolina, send us a message below!
 
Photographer + Officiant Inquiry Form
WILMINGTON NC COURTHOUSE