Information on How to Get Ordained and Register as a Minister
How to get ordained and perform a wedding or ceremony in North Carolina.
Since 2010, Open Ministry has been ordaining and helping people all over the world perform weddings, ceremony and other sacerdotal duties. This page focuses on requirements and information for North Carolina, if you don't need the States Statues or ordination information for North Carolina scroll down to the bottom of the page for links to other states.
Let's get started with the information for North Carolina
If you are planning to get ordained in North Carolina or you have been asked to perform a wedding ceremony in North Carolina, or simply need to to find a minister in North Carolina to perform your wedding ceremony the information on this page will assist you. If you still have questions we invite you to visit our FAQ or contact us for more detailed information. We are here to help and support our ministers and congregation.
Registered Ministers with Open Ministry have successfully performed thousands of marriages in North Carolina and around the world!
The Ordination and Officiant information is provided below in an easy five step layout which is designed help walk you through the most common steps on registering to become a minister for North Carolina and how perform a wedding ceremony in North Carolina.
Step 1 - How to Become Ordained
How to get Ordained in North Carolina and become a minister to perform weddings and marriage ceremonies in North Carolina
Ordinations for North Carolina are completely free and can normally be completed in less than a day. Thousands of people have registered and became licensed ministers in North Carolina. Once you have completed the ordination process you are able perform marriages through Open Ministry in and for the state of North Carolina!
Become Ordained for free and start your journey as an authorized minister in North Carolina with Open Ministry.
Get started today by clicking on the link below!
Step 2 - Contact The County Clerk
How to Register to Officiate a Marriage in North Carolina
Next, contact the office of your local marriage authority (typically your county clerk in North Carolina). Let them know that you are a ordained minister with Open Ministry in California, and ask them what information the will require of you, to officiate a marriage in North Carolina. Most clerks and governing agencies may require that you present them with a physical copy of your ordination record.
When speaking with the county clerk; it can be helpful to use the following phrases.
- What agency or department issues marriage licenses in your county and how may I contact them?
- I am an ordained minister with a church in California and I would like to register as a wedding Officiant in your county to perform and solemnize weddings.
- I have my Letter of Good Standing and/or Ordination Credential as proof of my ministry and ordination.
- What additional documentation is required for me to register as a wedding Officiant in your county or state?
Step 3 - Getting Licensed to Perform the Marriage
License to perform a wedding in North Carolina
After you've contacted your marriage authority, you will want to visit our bookstore to get physical copies official credentials for presentation and your records. (See North Carolina State Statutes for More Specific Requirements )
When registering in North Carolina you may be asked to display proof of your ordination to the county clerk's before they will accept the marriage license as having been legally solemnized. We typically advise ministers of North Carolina to get a Complete Minister Package for North Carolina which includes your Letter of Good Standing (the live signed and notarized physical copy of your standing with our ministry).
Having your physical copies credentials provides peace-of-mind to couples and others that you intend to marry. Additionally, we recommend at least 4 weeks between the date of the wedding ceremony and your order, to ensure that you receive all of your materials and are able to register in time. Please note that every state and county can impose different requirements. This may include other nominal fees and additional paperwork that may need to be completed before the ceremony can take place.
It is important to note that some county clerks in North Carolina may require wedding officiants to attach a statement which asserts some of the elements in the marriage license upon submission, including the following:
- The time and location at which the wedding took place
- The names and places of residence of all official witnesses
- The religious organization in which the officiant is ordained
- The printed name and address of the officiant
Please note that, when filling out a marriage license, that North Carolina State may request you use the title "Minister" or "Reverend". The County Clerks may also require you enter your denomination, you can use "Non-Denominational". Failing to state a denomination may result in rejection and could require a duplicate marriage license.
Step 4 - How to Perform the Wedding
How to perform a wedding in North Carolina
Once you have completed of the above, you are ready to perform the wedding! Be sure that the couple has picked up their North Carolina state issued marriage license from the appropriate office. North Carolina 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. This information should be written on the license and followed to ensure the ceremony is recorded properly.
Please be aware that the signed license must be returned to the issuing office in North Carolina before the time limit is reached. Check the marriage license for the exact dates. Once the the previous matters have been addressed, officiating a wedding in North Carolina can be a great and wonderful experience.
If you have any comments or issues as a wedding officiant in North Carolina, or after you have been ordained, or would like to just asking for guidance on how to perform a wedding ceremony in North Carolina. We recommend that all new North Carolina wedding ministers who have issues or concerns about the ceremony read over our helpful guides.
North Carolina
51-1 Requisites of marriage; solemnization
A valid and sufficient marriage is created by the consent of a male and female person who may lawfully marry, presently to take each other as husband and wife, freely, seriously and plainly expressed by each in the presence of the other, either:
(1) a. In the presence of an ordained minister of any religious denomination, a minister authorized by a church, or a magistrate; and
b. With the consequent declaration by the minister or magistrate that the persons are husband and wife; or
(2) In accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination, or federally or State recognized Indian Nation or Tribe.
Marriages solemnized before March 9, 1909, by ministers of the gospel licensed, but not ordained, are validated from their consummation.
Chapter 51: Marriage - Article 1: General Provisions
(1871?2, c. 193, s. 3; Code, s. 1812; Rev., s. 2081; 1908, c. 47; 1909, c. 704, s. 2; c. 897; C.S., s. 2493; 1945, c. 839; 1965, c. 152; 1971, c. 1185, s. 26; 1977, c. 592, s. 1; 2000?58, ss. 1, 2; 2001?14, ss. 1, 2; 2001?62, ss. 1, 17; 2002?115, ss. 5, 6; 2002?159, s. 13(a); 2003?4, s. 1; 2005?56, s. 1; 2007?61, s. 1; 2009?13, s. 1.)