- Marriage License -

A marriage license must be secured from the Register of Deeds office of any county.   The marriage license is valid for sixty (60) days from the date of issuance. The marriage license fee is $50.00 (check or cash)  Worksheet for License Following the ceremony, the officiant will complete the license and return it to the Register of Deeds Office where it was issued. The license then becomes an official record.  You do NOT get a copy unless you request it!  A Certificate of Marriage may be obtained upon request for $10.00 per certified copy. You may pre-pay for a Certified Certificate when you purchase the license, or submit a request in person or in writing.  There is no blood test requirement or waiting period.  The legal age for marriage is 18 years.  Your ceremony requires two witnesses. You may marry in North Carolina by either a civil or religious ceremony. A civil ceremony is conducted by a magistrate. A religious ceremony is performed by an ordained minister.  Buncombe County: Buncombe County Courthouse, Room 110. Mail to: Vital Records Section Buncombe County Register of Deeds Office, 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801Asheville; (828) 250-4301; Hours: 8:30am-5pm Henderson County:  Henderson County Courthouse 200 North Grove Street, Suite 129, Hendersonville, North Carolina 28792 (828) 697-4901. Hours: 9am - 5pm Transylvania County: Transylvania County Courthouse, 12 East Main St, Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 884-3162 Email: registervle@citcom.net

Both applicants should be present when you apply for a marriage license. If one of the parties is unable to appear, the other party must appear in person and present a sworn & notarized affidavit from the other party. Picture ID is required of each, i.e. Drivers License or certified copy of Birth Certificate Each is required to present their Social Security card or documentary proof of their Social Security number, i.e. W-2 form, payroll stub, Military discharge, Medicaid/Medicare Card Voter's Registration Card containing SSN, Health Insurance Card containing SSN, or a statement from the Social Security Office stating their Social Security number. If you have been divorced in the last 60 days you should bring your divorce papers. Office hours for most County Register of Deeds offices are 8am-5pm. To insure that issuance is completed by closing time, applicants should arrive by 4:00 pm. No appointments are necessary. Persons 21 years old or older may validate their personal identification with a Driver's License. Persons between the ages of 18 and 21 years may marry without the consent of a parent or guardian, but will need a Birth Certificate.  Persons over 16 but under the age of 18 years may marry only upon the written consent of a parent or legal guardian having full or joint legal custody of the underage party. In case of divorced parents, the parent who received custody of the minor must give the consent.