Legal Information For Your Outer Banks Wedding

License Legalitites

The age requirement for getting married in North Carolina is 18 (or 16 with parental consent). If you are under 21, you must present your birth certificate to obtain the marriage license.

There is no waiting period or blood test required.

The cost for your license is $50 and it will be valid for 60 days in any area of North Carolina.

Applicants who have been divorced must present a divorce decree.

You must present your social security card or offer proof of your social security number (such as a tax return, pay stub, etc).

Note: For applicants without a social security number, you must contact a notary public. They will file a special affidavit that will officially state the reason(s) why your social security number does not exist and allow the applicant to get their marriage license.

You must present a picture ID.

There must be two witnesses at your marriage ceremony, whether it is civil or religious.

Dare County Register of Deeds
Dare County Justice Center
962 Marshal Collins Drive
Manteo, North Carolina 27954
252-473-3438

Licenses handled Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM. Homes in Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk are in Dare County.

Currituck County Register of Deeds
Currituck County Governmental Center
P.O. Box 71
Currituck, North Carolina 27929
US Hwy 158, 12 miles south of VA/NC state line
252-232-3297

Licenses handled Moday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Homes in Corolla and the Pine Island area are in Currituck County.

Hyde County Register of Deeds
Hyde County Governmental Center
P.O. Box 294
Swanquarter, NC 27885
(252) 926-4198

Licenses are handled Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Homes in Ocracoke are in Hyde County.

Other Useful Information:

While North Carolina doesn't have justices of the peace, you may contact magistrates for each county:

Dare County: (252) 473-2010
Currituck County: (252) 232-3297
Ocracoke Island: (252) 926-4198

Beach Permits
Southern Shores doesn't require a permit for the use of the beach but they request that guests not park on property belonging to local residents.

Nags Head doesn't require a town permit for wedding ceremonies on the beach. But please keep in mind that structures on the beach such as tents, chairs, etc. are not allowed in order to maintain clear access by beach patrol lifeguards.

National Park Service
For information on fees and permits required at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, visit the website www.nps.gov.

Marriage Certificate
Your certificate must include:

1. You and your partner's names
2. You and your partner's addresses
3. The date of the marriage
4. The county that issues the marriage license
5. The date of the license
6. Signature of the minister or magistrate

The minister or magistrate must sign the license and return it to the register of deeds who issued the license. This is the official record of the ceremony.