Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) issues marriage licenses through the Register of Deeds. Applicants submit an online pre-application, then must appear together in person within 30 days to complete issuance.
| License fee | $60. |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | None — North Carolina has no statewide waiting period. |
| Documents / ID required | Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID for both applicants, plus proof of Social Security number. Both must appear together in person. No blood test required. |
| License validity | 60 days from the date of issuance (North Carolina statewide rule). |
| Where & how to apply | Submit the online pre-application, then appear together in person within 30 days of submitting it to complete issuance at the Register of Deeds office, 720 E. 4th St., Charlotte. |
| Office hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
Special notes
Frequently asked questions
How soon after applying online must we visit the Mecklenburg County office in person?
Within 30 days of submitting the online pre-application — both applicants must appear together to complete issuance.
What ID do we need for a Mecklenburg County marriage license?
Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID for both applicants, plus proof of each applicant’s Social Security number.
How to get a marriage license in Mecklenburg County, step by step
- Start the online pre-application through the Register of Deeds marriage portal.
- Both applicants must then appear together, in person, within 30 days of submitting the pre-application — the pre-application expires if you wait longer than that.
- Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID for both applicants, plus proof of each applicant’s Social Security number.
- Sign the application and pay $60; the Register of Deeds issues the license on the spot, since North Carolina has no waiting period.
- Marry anytime within 60 days of the issue date.
What to bring to the Mecklenburg County office
- Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID for both applicants
- Proof of each applicant’s Social Security number
- $60 for the license fee
- For applicants age 16–17: written parental or guardian consent filed with the Register of Deeds, or a certified court order
When to apply for your Mecklenburg County license
North Carolina has no waiting period, so the license is issued the same day you complete the in-person step. The real deadline to watch is the 30-day window between submitting the online pre-application and appearing in person — miss it and you have to start over. Once issued, the license is good for 60 days, so most couples apply a few weeks ahead of the wedding rather than months out.
After the ceremony: filing your Mecklenburg County license and getting certified copies
North Carolina law has the officiant return the completed license to the Register of Deeds within 10 days of the ceremony. Once it is recorded, certified copies cost $10 each, available in person at the 720 E. 4th St. office or online through the county’s Permitium portal — the office asks you to wait at least 10 days after the marriage date before requesting one. (Filing rules checked October 2026.)
You will need a certified copy for name changes and other paperwork — see our guide to what to do after the wedding.
Certified copies in Mecklenburg County
$10 for the first certified copy (same price for each copy)
| Issued by | Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Fee details | $10 per certified copy. You can pre-pay for one when you apply for the license, which adds $10 to the application. |
| How to order | By mail with the North Carolina Marriage Certificate Copy Request form and ID, or in person at 720 E. 4th St., Charlotte. |
| Timing | Copies can be issued only after the ceremony has happened and the office has received the signed license. |
| Who can request | Under NC G.S. 130A-93: yourself, a spouse, certain relatives, or an authorized agent or attorney. |
Source: Mecklenburg Register of Deeds - Uniform Fee Schedule · checked October 2026 · How many copies do you need?
Local tips for Mecklenburg County
- The Register of Deeds uses the same online portal (Permitium) for both the pre-application and later certified-copy requests — one account covers both steps.
- Certified copies are not available right away: the office asks you to wait at least 10 days after your marriage date before requesting one, so don’t plan same-week paperwork around it.
- Marriage records go back to 1913 and requests are handled first-come, first-served — if you need a copy quickly, going in person is more reliable than ordering online.
More questions about getting married in Mecklenburg County
How long do we have to visit the Mecklenburg County office after starting the application online?
You must appear together in person within 30 days of submitting the online pre-application to complete issuance.
How soon can we request a certified copy of our Mecklenburg County marriage license?
Wait at least 10 days after the marriage date. The officiant has up to 10 days to return the license, and the office needs to record it before a certified copy can be issued.
Does Mecklenburg County require a blood test?
No. North Carolina does not require a blood test for a marriage license.
Waiting periods by state → What licenses cost by state →
Last verified: August 2026
Read our general step-by-step guide →
Was this guide helpful?
Thanks for letting us know.