Marriage Licenses

Walk-ins Only

No Appointments Necessary

Other fee not listed?  Click Here

* The credit card vendor changes a small fee of 5% with a minimum of $1 for each transaction.

Steps to Get A Marriage License

1. Online Marriage License Application - Optional - To save you a bit of time when you come into the office Click Here to fill out online Marriage License Application. Your application will be stored for 30 days. 
2. Bring Necessary Documents - Please bring the necessary documentation required listed below. Forgetting documents during your visit could result in delaying the process and some documents are statutorily required by state law.
3. Appear in Person. - State law requires both parties to be married to appear in person at the same time to receive a marriage license.

Any questions may be directed to marriage@cravencountync.gov or 252-636-6617.

Required Documents

To obtain a marriage license, both parties to be married must:

1. Present a Government issued photo ID (driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, military ID)
2. Know your Social Security Number.  If you don't have a Social Security Number, please contact our office at 252-636-6617 for the types of documentation that we accept.
3. Have $60.00 for the license fee. (Cash, debit/credit, Checks, ApplePay, or GooglePay.)
   • The $60 fee is set by NC General Assembly in the uniform fees of registers of deeds. (GS 161‑10. (a)(2))
   • Children's Trust Fund receives $5.00 from the marriage license (GS 161-11.1.)
   • Domestic Violence Center Fund receives $30.00 from the marriage license (GS 161-11.2.)

Applicants younger than 18 years of age must:

1. Present a certified copy of their birth certificate.
2. One of the following must show up in person with the couple and present ID:
   1. A parent having full or joint legal custody of the underage party; or
   2. A person, agency, or institution having legal custody or serving as a guardian of the underage party.

Divorced applicants must:

Please provide a copy of an official decree of judgment that contains the month, day, and year of their last divorce. There is no waiting period in NC between the granting of the divorce and applying for another marriage license. If you were divorced in Craven County Click Here for information on how to obtain a copy.

Applicants with a Deceased Spouse:

If a person was previously in a marriage that ended with the death of a spouse, please bring a copy of the death certificate of the deceased spouse or a copy of an obituary that contains both the names of the deceased and the name of the spose of the deceased.