North Carolina requires all couples to obtain a marriage license before the ceremony takes place. Licenses are available at any Register of Deeds office in North Carolina. The marriage will be recorded in the county in which the license was obtained although the ceremony may take place in any other county in the state. Each county may require specific documents of identification in various age groups and specific fees. The Craven County Register of Deeds office is located at 226 Pollock Street, (252) 636-6617.
Prospective bride and groom ages 21 and above must come in to the Register of Deeds office together with driver's licenses, Social Security cards for each and $60 in cash. Those aged 18 through 20 also need to bring along certified copies of their birth certificates. Most counties require a parent or guardian to accompany those 17 and younger. The parent or guardian must present proof of that position. In Craven County, anyone divorced or widowed less than six months previously must bring a divorce decree or certificate of death.
The Register of Deeds office issues marriage licenses Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM. The license is valid for 60 days in any county in North Carolina. After the wedding, certified copies of the marriage certificate are available from the Register of Deeds in Craven County for $10 each.
In North Carolina, marriages may be performed by magistrates. The Craven County Magistrate's Office is in the Law Enforcement Center at 411 Craven Street, (252) 639-9015, next door to the courthouse. Two witnesses (at least 18 years of age), a current marriage license and $20 in cash for state fees are required for a legal ceremony. The magistrate typically does not charge anything for performing the ceremony, although tipping is permitted in some counties. The Magistrate's Office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but telephoning ahead is wise as Magistrates have other obligations as well. Law Enforcement Center (Jail) lobbies are usually crowded during visitation hours between 11 AM and 4 PM Saturdays and Sundays.
The Register of Deeds, (252) 745-4421, in Pamlico County has a few different requirements. On the first floor in the courthouse on N.C. Highway 55 in Bayboro, the office requires a divorce decree or death certificate of deceased spouse from any prospective bride or groom who has ever been divorced or widowed. Marriage licenses are issued Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM to the bride and groom aged 21 or older, both present with government issued picture identification and Social Security cards or W-2 or tax return and $60 cash. Those 18 and older should bring driver's licenses, Social Security cards, and certified birth certificates. Those 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian with picture i.d. and legal proof of his or her role. Anyone younger than 16 and wishing to be married must present a properly obtained court order. The license is valid for 60 days. After the marriage, the couple can pick up one free certified copy of the marriage certificate. Copies after the first one are $10 each. The Magistrate's Office, (252) 745-6010, is in the Pamlico County Law Enforcement Center next to the courthouse.
