Instant certificate. Valid for life. Legally recognized in North Carolina.
Get Ordained NowBest months for an outdoor ceremony here: May, September & October (avg 66°F)
Scenic settings for a ceremony: Club Pond, Roland Pond & Southerlands Pond
Source: U.S. Census Bureau — 2023 Population Estimates, ACS 5-year estimates & 2020 Census. Wedding estimate: population × North Carolina's 2023 CDC marriage rate. Ceremony months: NOAA county climate normals, 1995–2024. Places: USGS Geographic Names Information System.
Same-sex couples have married legally in North Carolina since 2014. The story of marriage equality in North Carolina →
Elope-friendlyno waiting period — marry the same day you get the license · no witnesses required
No registration required
Documents typically requested:
North Carolina is a legal gray area for online ordinations. Acceptance varies by county. Contact the county Register of Deeds before the ceremony to confirm.
North Carolina allows ordained ministers to solemnize marriages without prior registration.
North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 51-1Vance County Clerk's Office
122 Young St, Suite G, Henderson, NC 27536
Get directions →Visit website →Get Ordained
Get ordained online through the Church of Pride for $20. Your ordination is instant, valid for life, and recognized under First Amendment protections. Confirm local requirements with the Vance County County clerk before officiating.
Confirm Requirements
Call (252) 738-2110 and confirm that Vance County accepts your online ordination. Ask about any documents you’ll need to present.
Prepare Your Documents
Have your ordination certificate, photo id ready for the ceremony and to present to the clerk if asked.
Perform the Ceremony
Officiate the wedding ceremony. Make sure both parties and any required witnesses sign the marriage license. Keep the tone personal and celebratory — this is their day.
Return the License
Return the signed marriage license to the Vance County clerk within 10 days. This is a critical step — the marriage isn’t official until the license is filed.
No — Vance County does not require officiants to register before performing a wedding.
None — no witnesses are required to sign the marriage license in Vance County, North Carolina.
The completed marriage license must be returned within 10 days. As the officiant, returning it is usually your job — don't leave it in a glovebox.
Vance County Clerk's Office — 122 Young St, Suite G, Henderson, NC 27536 — phone (252) 738-2110.
Get ordained with the Church of Pride. $20, instant certificate, valid for life.
Get Ordained — $20Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Marriage laws change frequently and can vary by county. Always verify current requirements with the local county clerk's office before officiating any ceremony. Information was last reviewed 2026-02-20.