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How to get a North Carolina marriage certificate

In North Carolina, order a certified marriage certificate from the North Carolina Vital Records (NC Office of Vital Records, NCOVR), NC DHHS Division of Public Health.1 Also issued by the Register of Deeds in the county where the marriage license was issued; pre-1962 records only there.2 The first copy costs $243 and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $153. You can order online, by mail, in person, at a local office or by phone. Only the people the state lists below can order a certified copy. The fastest published option is at a local office: same day4.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Ways to order
  2. What a North Carolina marriage certificate costs
  3. How long it takes
  4. Who can order a North Carolina marriage certificate
  5. ID you need
  6. What the application asks for
  7. Which office holds a marriage record
  8. Forms
  9. Years held and older records
  10. Special situations
  11. Warnings from the office
  12. The state office
  13. Questions people ask
  14. Sources

Current notice from the office

  • Marriage and divorce certificates: about 9 months average processing at the state office5

Ways to order

HowCost per copyProcessing timePayment
Online through VitalChek$244 first, $153 each extra copy, plus $13.953 VitalChek processing fee
+ 2 possible extra charges		Up to 9 months on average5Card and check3
By mail$244 first, $154 each extra copy, plus $66 VitalChek processing and handling fee
+ 2 possible extra charges		Up to 4 months6–
In person$243 first, $153 each extra copy
+ one extra charge		–Card, check and cash3
At a local officeSet by each office, for example $147, $107 or $108Same day4–
By phone$244 first, $153 each extra copy, plus $13.953 VitalChek processing fee
+ 2 possible extra charges		Up to 9 months on average5Card and check3

Not offered: online directly with the vital records office.9

Online through VitalChek

Vendor
VitalChek4
Fees
  • First copy $244
  • Each additional copy in the same order $153
  • VitalChek processing fee $13.953
  • Regular Shipping (USPS) $04
  • Optional Overnight Shipping within continental U.S. (UPS)** $204
Processing time
Up to 9 months on average5
Payment
Card and check3

Good to know

  • Delivery to a street address only (no APO, FPO or PO boxes)4
  • Do not order new post-adoption birth certificates through VitalChek4
  • Do not order through this route if the certificate needs changes4

Go to the ordering site4

By mail

Run by
NC Vital Records, with mail-in payment processed by VitalChek6
Fees
  • First copy $244
  • Each additional copy in the same order $154
  • VitalChek processing and handling fee $66
  • U.S. Postal Service Regular Mail $06
  • UPS Next Day Air $206
Processing time
Up to 4 months6
Expedited service
Not offered4
Mail to
North Carolina Vital Records, ATTN: VC Certificate Orders, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
4

Good to know

  • Do not send cash4
  • Do not send overpayment4
  • One application and one VitalChek fee per certificate6

Open the application or mail instructions4

In person

Fees
  • First copy $243
  • Each additional copy in the same order $153
  • In-person expedited processing fees $154
Expedited service
$15. In-person service at the state office is the expedited channel4
Payment
Card, check and cash3
Make payable to
NC Vital Records3
Office
Cooper Memorial Health Building, 225 N. McDowell St., Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
10
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; last appointment 2:30 p.m.; 30-minute appointments4
Appointment
Required4

Good to know

  • Appointments usually filled a month or two out9
  • Appointments are only for regular certificate purchases10

Open the official page4

At a local office

Run by
County Register of Deeds in the county where the event took place4
Fees
  • Per copy $147
  • Per copy $1078
Processing time
Same day4

Good to know

  • Use the ROD of the county where the event occurred, not the county of residence4

Find a local office11

By phone

Run by
VitalChek4
Fees
  • First copy $244
  • Each additional copy in the same order $153
  • VitalChek processing fee $13.953
  • Regular Shipping (USPS) $04
  • Optional Overnight Shipping within continental U.S. (UPS)** $204
Processing time
Up to 9 months on average5
Payment
Card and check3

Good to know

  • Delivery to a street address only (no APO, FPO or PO boxes)4
  • Do not order new post-adoption birth certificates through VitalChek4
  • Do not order through this route if the certificate needs changes4

What a North Carolina marriage certificate costs

First certified copy
$243
Each additional copy, same order
$153
Expedite fee
$153
Each extra year searched
$243
If no record is found
The fee is kept as a search fee3

Types of copies

CopyAccepted forFee
Certified copy6A certified copy is required for most legal or official purposes for which a copy of a vital record is requested. For instance, a certified copy can be used to obtain apostille services through the NC Secretary of State's office.9$246
Uncertified copy6Informational purposes only; not accepted for legal purposes9$246
No record found letter3–$243

No-fee copies

  • Free copy for a registered NC voter who needs it to obtain voter photo ID7
  • Over 62: a local agency may waive its $10.00 retained charge7

How long it takes

These are the office's own published times. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.

How you orderProcessing timeCounted
Online through VitalChekUp to 9 months on average5Before shipping
By mailUp to 4 months6Before shipping
At a local officeSame day4–
By phoneUp to 9 months on average5Before shipping

Who can order a North Carolina marriage certificate

The state names these people and bodies as able to order a certified copy. Each line gives the official wording.

  • The person named on the record, spouse, a parent named on the record, child, brother or sister, grandparent and grandchild12
    Proof: ID only; evidence of a legal name change if the name on the ID differs6
  • Legal guardian and attorney or legal representative: (3) An authorized agent, attorney or legal representative of a person described above.12
    Proof: Certified court order naming you as legal guardian or custodian6
  • A person seeking information for a legal determination of personal or property rights12
  • Minimum ordering age is 186

Other kinds of copies

  • Informational copy Anyone: Uncertified copies are for informational purposes only and are not accepted for legal purposes. They are available to anyone who requests them unless legal restrictions apply.9

ID you need

Photo ID
Required6
Accepted ID
  • Current state-issued driver's license (address must match requestor's address on application)
  • Current state-issued non-driver photo ID card (address must match requestor's address on application)
  • Current Passport or Visa (must include photo)
  • Current U.S. military ID
  • Current Department of Corrections photo ID card dated within the last year or release/discharge
  • Current state or U.S. government agency photo ID card (for persons requesting certificates as part of that agency's business)
  • Current student ID card with copy of transcript6
Without that ID
  • Temporary driver's license
  • Current utility bill with current address (phone, gas, electric)
  • Unexpired vehicle registration/title
  • Bank statement with current address
  • Pay stub with current address dated within the last 60 days
  • Previous year W-2
  • Letter from government agency dated within the last six months and showing current address
  • State-issued concealed weapon permit showing current address
6
ID copy with a mail order
Include a copy of your ID6

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.4

  • Names of applicants
  • Date of marriage
  • Place where license was issued (city or county in N.C.)
  • Requestor's relationship

Which office holds a marriage record

Certified copies come from the office that recorded the signed license, and also from the state vital records office9; the years each office holds are listed below. Marriage license vs certificate explains the difference and which copy agencies ask for.

Forms

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds
1962 to today4
Older records
Register of Deeds where the license was issued (before 1962)2

Special situations

If no record is found
Statement of No Marriage: order a marriage certificate search ($24 per three-year period); if no record is found NC Vital Records sends a no-record letter, which the Secretary of State can apostille.13 Details
Use abroad
Apostille of a no-record letter is obtained from the NC Secretary of State.13 Details

Warnings from the office

  • NC vital records are not free searchable public records1
  • Payment is processed on receipt; delivery lags payment3
  • Requests by email are not accepted9
  • False statements are a felony14
  • NC Vital Records does not change marriage certificates; contact the Register of Deeds13

The state office

Office
North Carolina Vital Records10
Mailing address
North Carolina Vital Records, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
10
Walk-in address
Cooper Memorial Health Building, 225 N. McDowell St., Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
10
Hours
Call center Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; in-person appointments Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (last appointment 2:30 p.m.)10
Appointments
Required10

Questions people ask

How much is a certified North Carolina marriage certificate?

The first copy costs $24 and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $15.3

How long does it take to get a North Carolina marriage certificate?

Online through VitalChek: up to 9 months on average. By mail: up to 4 months. At a local office: same day. By phone: up to 9 months on average.564

Can I order a North Carolina marriage certificate online?

Yes. Online through VitalChek.4

Who do I make the check or money order payable to?

Write it exactly as the office prints it: NC Vital Records.3

What ID do I need?

The state accepts: Current state-issued driver's license (address must match requestor's address on application); Current state-issued non-driver photo ID card (address must match requestor's address on application); Current Passport or Visa (must include photo); Current U.S. military ID; Current Department of Corrections photo ID card dated within the last year or release/discharge; Current state or U.S. government agency photo ID card (for persons requesting certificates as part of that agency's business); and the other documents listed above.6

Where are older North Carolina marriage certificates kept?

Register of Deeds where the license was issued (before 1962).2

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. NC Vital Records home pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 23, 2026
  2. NC Vital Records research pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated August 26, 2026
  3. NC Vital Records fees pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  4. NC Vital Records order pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 23, 2026
  5. NC Vital Records processing pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  6. NC Marriage Certificate App (PDF)NC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Records (application form PDF hosted on vitalchek.com, linked from vitalrecords.nc.gov/order.htm)dated February 1, 2025
  7. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-93.1 Fees for vital records copies or searchNorth Carolina General Assemblydated May 30, 2025read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  8. G.S. 161-10. Uniform fees of registers of deedsNorth Carolina General Assemblydated December 23, 2025read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  9. NC Vital Records faqs pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  10. NC Vital Records contacts pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  11. NC Vital Records county pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  12. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-93 Access to vital records; copiesNorth Carolina General Assemblydated February 13, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  13. NC Vital Records marriage pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  14. NC Death Certificate App (PDF)NC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Records (application form PDF hosted on vitalchek.com, linked from vitalrecords.nc.gov/order.htm)dated February 1, 2025