Wake County, North Carolina
County clerk guides for Wake County.
Wake County marriage license at a glance
The essentials for getting a marriage license in Wake County, taken from our verified county guide. Confirm details with the official office before you go.
| License fee | $60. |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | None — North Carolina has no statewide waiting period. |
| License validity | 60 days from the date of issuance (North Carolina statewide rule). |
| Documents / ID required | Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants, who must appear together in person. No blood test required. |
| Where & how to apply | Apply online in advance or use on-site computers, then appear together in person to receive the license — no appointment required — at the main office, Wake County Justice Center, 300 S. Salisbury St., Suite 1700, Raleigh, or at the Northern (Wake Forest), Southern (Fuquay-Varina), or Eastern (Zebulon) Regional Centers. The regional centers are cash-only. |
Full Wake County marriage license guide →
North Carolina rules that apply in Wake County
These come from North Carolina state law, so they are the same in every county:
- Minimum age to marry: 18 without conditions. Ages 16–17 may marry only with written consent from a parent with legal custody or guardian filed with the Register of Deeds, or a certified district court order. Under 16 cannot marry under any circumstance.
- Waiting period: None — the license can be used immediately upon issuance.
- License validity: 60 days from the date of issuance.
- Blood test required: No
How the fee compares
The standard fee we have verified for Wake County is $60. Across the 81 counties and cities ClerkGuide has researched so far, standard fees run from $20 to $172, with a median of $76 — so this one is higher than about 32% of them. See fees state by state →
Wake County vs. other North Carolina counties
Fees are set locally, so they can differ noticeably even inside one state. Here is how the North Carolina counties we cover line up, cheapest first:
| Mecklenburg County | $60 standard |
|---|---|
| Wake County | $60 standard |
More: all North Carolina marriage license requirements · getting married in a different county.