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Watauga County Register of Deeds:
Requirements for Obtaining a Marriage License

Effective October 1, 2001, a marriage license issued in any county in the state may be used at any place within the state within sixty (60) days of the date of issuance. The license must be returned to the county of issuance within 10 days after the celebration of the marriage with the appropriate signatures and the blanks filled in according to the facts. (G.S. 51-16)

Age

• Both prospective bride and groom over the age of 21:
  • Driver's License and social security card (if social security card(s) are unavailable, proof of social security must be presented in computer form)
  • For applicants with no social security number or who is ineligible to obtain one, see Affidavit of Ineligibility
• Either the prospective bride or groom is between the age of 18 and 20:
  • The applicant, who is between the age of 18 and 20, must provide a certified copy of their birth certificate
  • Driver's License and social security card (if social security card(s) are unavailable, proof of social security must be presented in computer form)
  • For applicants with no social security number or who is ineligible to obtain one, see Affidavit of Ineligibility
• Prospective bride or groom is age 16 or 17:
  • The applicant who is age 16 or 17 must provide a certified copy of their birth certificate
  • Driver's License and social security card (if social security card(s) are unavailable, proof of social security must be presented in computer form)
  • For applicants with no social security number or who is ineligible to obtain one, see Affidavit of Ineligibility
  • A written consent to the marriage must be filed with the register of deeds, said consent having been signed by the appropriate person(1)a parent having full or joint legal custody of the underage party; or (2)by a person, agency, or institution having legal custody or serving as a guardian of the underage party. The written consent required by this subsection shall be signed in the presence of the register of deeds.

Other Age Requirements

• Persons over 14 years of age and under 16 years of age may marry as provided in G.S. 51-2A.
• It shall be unlawful for any person under 14 years of age to marry

Divorced applicants

• If the divorce was finalized within 60 days of application for a marriage license, the applicant must provide a copy of the final divorce decree. There is no waiting period between the divorce and applying for the new license.
• If the divorce was finalized earlier than cited above, the applicant must provide the month and year of their last divorce.

The license is good immediately upon issuance and is valid for 60 days; thus applicants should not apply for a license more than sixty days before the planned marriage ceremony.

The fee for the license is $60.00. Cash or personal checks are accepted.

Marriage licenses are issued between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Applicants should be in our office by 4:30 p.m. (Watauga County Courthouse-Room 119, 842 West King Street, Boone, NC)

Affidavit of Ineligibility
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Work Sheet for Preparation of Marriage License
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Marriage License FAQs