Legislative Building. Marriage licenses valid for a set number of days, and there may be a waiting period between when the couple receives the marriage license in North Carolina and when the ceremony may be legally performed in North Carolina. North Carolina Wedding Laws. This is FindLaw's hosted version of North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 51. In North Carolina, same-sex marriage has been recognized since 2014 after the ruling in General Synod v. Cooper. North Carolina marriage laws require couples to obtain a valid North Carolina marriage license before the ceremony. No. As a young attorney fresh out of law school, I was looking for ways to get experience and to serve vulnerable youth and promote stable families, Marriage Certificates (North Carolina) If you want to obtain a marriage certificate (North Carolina), youll have to follow specific steps before the state finalizes the marriage. Fortunately, marriage laws in the state are fairly uncomplicated. North Carolina does not recognize common law marriage from its residents, even if a couple claims they are married. Use this page to navigate to all sections within Chapter 51. Separation is a requirement for married couples wishing to get divorced in North Carolina. Marriage. North Carolina General Assembly. After one year of living separately, one spouse can file for divorce. Persons between the ages of 16 and 18 may legally marry with the written consent of their parents or legal guardians. North Carolina marital property laws do not recognize community property, which gives the parties more options for how marital property is divided in a divorce. Expand sections by using the arrow icons. This article will cover the majority of the steps, and for more questions, you should contact your county clerk. n North Carolina, any person over 18 may marry a person of the opposite sex, except a close blood relative. Defining Marital Abandonment in North Carolina. Marriage. Marriage laws in North Carolina are primarily directed by Article 1 of Chapter 51 of the state code. Be sure that the couple has picked up their North Carolina marriage license from the appropriate office. North Carolina, as with most states, follow what is called, Statutory Marriage. State statute 51-1 states that North Carolina does not, and never has recognized common law marriage. Marital Property Law in North Carolina: The Basics. Raleigh, NC 27601 (919) 733-4111 (Main) (919) 715-7586 (Fax) Additional restrictions may apply, so be sure to check the North Carolina marriage laws outlined below. Abandonment is quite different. 16 West Jones Street. In some cases, a court order may be necessary to allow the marriage to proceed. In that case, the U.S. District Court held that a denial of marriage rights to same-sex couples in North Carolina was unconstitutional. With breathtaking mountain views, spectacular fall foliage, and sandy ocean beaches all within a few hours' drive of each other, it is no wonder that North Carolina is a popular wedding destination for residents and non-residents alike. This section defines persons authorized to perform a marriage in the State of North Carolina, which includes ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church, among other individuals. North Carolinas Same-Sex Marriage Laws. When dividing property, courts will consider the following factors (not a Individuals under 21 face various identification requirements, and those under 18 also must obtain parental consent. Marital abandonment in a marriage is very different from a standard separation. However, persons as young as 14 may still be allowed to marry under certain circumstances.