Marriage license requirements in Forsyth County are based on publicly available information. Always call the Forsyth County Clerk's office before your visit to confirm current hours, fees, and whether an appointment is required. Policies change without public notice.
Who Issues Marriage Licenses in Forsyth County?
Marriage licenses in Forsyth County are issued by the county clerk's office (or register of deeds / probate court, depending on North Carolina law). The issuing office is located at the Forsyth County Courthouse in Winston-Salem. Contact information is available on the Forsyth County government website.
Required Documents
Both applicants must appear together and bring:
- Valid government-issued photo ID — driver's license, passport, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID. Must not be expired.
- Social Security Number — required on the application for both parties. Physical card not required.
- Prior marriage documents (if applicable) — if either party has been divorced or widowed, be prepared to provide the date and state. Recent divorces (within 6 months) may require a certified copy of the divorce decree.
Fee — $60
The Forsyth County marriage license fee is approximately $60, based on North Carolina state guidelines. Fees are typically paid by cash, money order, or credit/debit card. Personal checks are generally not accepted.
Waiting Period — None
The waiting period for Forsyth County is None from the time the license is issued. Plan your application date accordingly to ensure your license is valid on your ceremony date. For states with waivable waiting periods, see our waiting periods guide for the waiver process.
License Validity — 60 days
Your Forsyth County marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. It is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in North Carolina. Do not apply too far in advance — if the license expires before your ceremony, you must reapply and pay the fee again. Use our expiration calculator.
After the Ceremony
After your ceremony, the officiant must sign and return the marriage license to the Forsyth County Clerk within the period specified by North Carolina law. The clerk records it and certified copies become available for ordering, typically 2–4 weeks later. Certified copies are needed for Social Security name changes, driver's license updates, and passport applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Appointment requirements vary and can change. Some counties moved to appointment-only during the pandemic and stayed that way; others reverted to walk-in. Call the Forsyth County Clerk's office directly before your visit to confirm the current policy.
No — a Forsyth County marriage license is only valid for ceremonies performed within North Carolina. If your ceremony will be in a different state, you must apply for a license in that state. Your home state will recognize a legally performed marriage from any other state.
You don't need to notify the clerk of a date change — the license is simply valid until it expires (60 days from issue). If your new date falls outside the validity window, you'll need to reapply. If it falls within the window but after any applicable waiting period, you're fine.