Planning a wedding is all fun and games until you realize—oh wait—you actually have to make it legal. If you’re dreaming of saying “I do” in the Queen City, you need to know the ins and outs of marriage licenses and legal requirements. Lucky for you, we’ve got the full breakdown so you don’t end up accidentally not married after all that planning. (Awkward.)
The Marriage License Breakdown
Before you can waltz down the aisle, you and your soon-to-be spouse need to pick up a marriage license from the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds Office. The process is fairly straightforward:
- Both parties must appear in person. (Yes, both of you. No sending your mom.)
- Bring valid identification. A driver’s license or passport will do just fine.
- Be at least 18 years old. If you’re younger, expect a lot more paperwork.
- Pay the fee. The current fee is $60. No, you cannot use Monopoly money.
- Say “I do” within 60 days. The license expires after that, so don’t dilly-dally.
Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds
The Ceremony
Once you have your license, you’ll need an officiant to perform the ceremony. This can be a religious leader, magistrate, or even your quirky uncle who got ordained online. Just make sure they’re legit!
After the ceremony, the officiant (not you!) needs to return the signed license to the Register of Deeds office within 10 days.
Pro Tip: Let Crafted Charm Handle the Details
Paperwork might not be the most romantic part of wedding planning, but we make sure you don’t forget a thing. Our team at Crafted Charm Wedding Planning ensures your big day goes off without a hitch—except for you getting hitched, of course! Contact us here to make your Charlotte wedding stress-free and spectacular.
