Legal Information For Your Outer Banks Wedding

Marriage License

A marriage license is required to get married in North Carolina.

To apply for a marriage license, both bride and groom must:

• appear in person at the Register of Deeds
• present valid picture ID showing date of birth
• present a social security card or valid document showing social security number

If you are under 21 years old, you must also present a birth certificate. If you do not have a social security number, you can print this affidavit and have it notarized ahead of time.

Applicants who have been divorced within the last year must present a divorce decree.

The age requirement for getting married in North Carolina is 18 (or 16 with parental consent).

There is no waiting period or blood test required.

The cost for your license is $60 and it will be valid for 60 days in any county of North Carolina. The fee can be paid by cash, check or money order. Credit cards are not accepted.

You must return the license, signed by the clergyperson or magistrate, to the Register of deeds in the issuing county within 10 days of the ceremony.

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 Marshall C. Collins Drive
Manteo, North Carolina 27954
252-475-5970
Licenses handled Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM. Homes in Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk and Southern Shores are in Dare County.

Currituck County Register of Deeds
Currituck County Governmental Center
2801 Caratoke Highway, Suite #300
Currituck, North Carolina 27909
(US Hwy 158, 12 miles south of VA/NC state line)
252-232-3297
Licenses handled Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Homes in Corolla and the Pine Island area are in Currituck 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

Beach Permits

The towns of the Outer Banks have different rules for weddings performed on the beach. Some require a building permit for tents, while some do not allow tents or more than a certain number of chairs. Please contact the town where you want to have your ceremony for detailed information:

• Town of Duck 252-255-1234
• Town of Southern Shores 252-261-2394
• Town of Kitty Hawk 252-261-3552
• Town of Kill Devil Hills 252-449-5300
• Town of Nags Head 252-441-5508
• Currituck County (Corolla) 252-453-8555

National Park Service

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