Wake County is North Carolina's most populous county, home to Raleigh (the state capital) and several major research universities. The Wake County Register of Deeds issues marriage licenses with no waiting period — same-day marriage is possible.
Office Location and Hours
Marriage licenses in Wake County are issued by the Wake County Register of Deeds at 301 S. McDowell Street, Suite 3100, Raleigh, NC 27601. Hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-ins are accepted but arrive by 4:30 PM.
Wake County is home to NC State University and several community colleges. The area sees a high volume of students and young professionals applying for marriage licenses. The downtown Raleigh office is accessible by GoRaleigh transit bus.
Required Documents
Both applicants must bring the following to the Wake County Clerk's office:
- Valid government-issued photo ID: State driver's license, U.S. passport, military ID, or other government photo ID. Must not be expired.
- Social Security Number: Required on the application. Physical card not required — just know the number.
- Prior marriage documentation: If either party was previously married, be prepared to provide the date and state the marriage ended. For divorces within the past 6 months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree.
Fee — $60
The Wake County marriage license fee is $60. Accepted payment methods typically include cash, credit/debit card, and money order. Personal checks are not accepted at most county clerk offices. Call ahead to confirm current payment options.
Waiting Period — None
The waiting period in Wake County is None. Plan your license application date carefully relative to your ceremony date. See our complete waiting periods guide for more detail on this state's rules and how to request a waiver if applicable.
License Validity — 60 days
Your Wake County marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. The license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in North Carolina. If your ceremony falls outside this window, the license expires and you must reapply. Use our expiration calculator to find your exact expiration date.
After the Ceremony
Your officiant must sign and return the completed marriage license to the Wake County Clerk within the timeframe required by North Carolina law. The clerk then records it as a permanent public record. Certified copies of the marriage certificate can be ordered from the clerk's office after recording — typically available 2–4 weeks after the ceremony.
Call the Wake County Clerk's office the day before your visit to confirm current hours, fee amounts, and any appointment requirements. Government office policies can change without public notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — North Carolina requires both applicants to appear together in person to apply for a marriage license. There are very limited exceptions (active military deployment in some states). Both parties must present valid photo ID and provide their Social Security numbers.
Yes. North Carolina has no residency requirement for marriage license applicants. You can apply in Wake County regardless of where you live, and the license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in North Carolina.
After your officiant returns the signed license and the Wake County Clerk records it, you can order certified copies directly from the clerk's office in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek. You'll need certified copies for Social Security, your driver's license, and other name change purposes.
The county clerk's office does not typically perform ceremonies. For a civil ceremony, contact the Raleigh area courthouse to ask about judge or magistrate availability. Justices of the Peace in the county may also be available. See our courthouse ceremony guide for more detail.
Planning Your Visit to the Register of Deeds
The Register of Deeds handles marriage license applications for Wake County. North Carolina's Register of Deeds issues marriage licenses (not the county clerk). The $60 fee is uniform across most NC counties. No blood test, no residency requirement.
North Carolina has no waiting period — your license is valid for a ceremony the moment it is issued. The license is valid statewide for 60 days.
Step-by-Step: Application to Certified Copies
Here is the complete sequence for a Wake County marriage license, from the day you apply through receiving certified copies for name changes:
- Gather documents: Both parties need valid, unexpired photo IDs and their Social Security numbers. If either party has been previously married, have the divorce date and state ready (bring a certified decree if divorced within the past 6 months).
- Visit the office: Both parties appear together at the Register of Deeds. The application takes 15–25 minutes. Pay the $60 fee.
- License issued: You receive a physical paper marriage license. Keep it safe — it is the document your officiant will sign after the ceremony.
- Waiting period: None from the moment of issuance. Plan your ceremony date accordingly.
- Ceremony anywhere in North Carolina: Your license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in North Carolina within the 60 days validity window. Your officiant signs immediately after the ceremony.
- Return the license: The signed license must be returned to the issuing office within the timeframe required by North Carolina law (typically 10–30 days). Confirm responsibility — you or your officiant.
- Order certified copies: After the marriage is recorded (2–4 weeks post-ceremony), order certified copies from the Register of Deeds or through VitalChek. Order at least 4–6 copies at once.
- Name changes: Use certified copies for Social Security, DMV, passport, and financial accounts. Start with Social Security first — other agencies verify against SSA records. See our name change guide for the complete sequence.
Use our Wedding Date Planner to calculate the exact window for applying in North Carolina. Download the Day-Of Checklist PDF to bring to your appointment. Use the Cost Calculator to estimate your total expenses including certified copies and name change fees.