{"id":8347,"name":"Charlotte","state_id":42,"county_id":2152,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:34:09.754-07:00","updated_at":"2023-10-29T09:31:11.808-07:00","meta_description":"Learn how to officiate and plan weddings in Charlotte, North Carolina","head_tag":"A guide for officiating weddings and planning ceremonies in the City of Churches","tagline":"How About a Queen City Celebration?","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eCharlotte is all about that traditional South East Coast charm. A massive influx of Christian denominations in the 19th century gave it the nickname the City of Churches, which these days, means dozens of gorgeous locations for traditional weddings. Queen City has two professional league teams for NBA and NFL fans, and was one of the locations for the film Days of Thunder at the Charlotte Speedway. So if you were worried, it\u0026rsquo;s also a pretty happening place!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCharlotte has a wealth of options for your special day with friends and loved ones whether you host your wedding downtown in a posh hotel, or in the countryside at a rustic homestead with ties to early American history.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut before you delve into planning the fun stuff, let us help you with the technical details, starting with getting your minister of choice ordained.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eStep 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the Mecklenburg County Clerk\u0026rsquo;s website, the wedding must be officiated by a magistrate or minister, or any other person authorized by their religious denomination, or a federally recognized Indian Tribe may perform the marriage ceremony. If you\u0026rsquo;re not ordained by a religious organization, you\u0026rsquo;re in luck. You can \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eget ordained with AMM\u003c/a\u003e -- the process is free and takes just a few minutes. Once you\u0026rsquo;ve got that box checked, we\u0026rsquo;ll get to the good stuff.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nStep 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Mecklenburg County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow that you\u0026rsquo;ve got your credentials taken care of, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is a true honor, but requires a bit of preparation. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to \u0026nbsp;brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nStep 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to sign the marriage license, it\u0026rsquo;s the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibility to obtain and complete the marriage license. Mecklenburg County does not require a waiting period from the issuance of the marriage license, but the wedding ceremony must be completed within 60 days of issuance, or the marriage license will expire.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you have performed the ceremony and signed the marriage license, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. Make sure to remind the couple to return the signed and completed marriage license to the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office before 60 days from the date of issuance. Ideally, the license should be returned right away, since that\u0026rsquo;s when the marriage is recorded into government records.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003ch3\u003eFile for the Marriage License from the Mecklenburg County Clerk\u0026#39;s Office\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo get your marriage license, both members of the couple will have to visit the County Clerk\u0026rsquo;s office at:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e720 East Fourth Street\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nCharlotte, NC 28202\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo save some time at your appointment, first complete the \u003ca href=\"https://meckrod.manatron.com/Marriage/MarriageApplication.aspx?type=PUBLIC\u0026amp;lang=ENU\"\u003eonline marriage license application\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is not a requirement by Mecklenburg County that you are a resident of North Carolina. The marriage license is only valid in the state of North Carolina.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen you go, remember to bring the following:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$60\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePhoto IDs\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSocial Security Numbers (if applicable)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nOnce you\u0026rsquo;ve completed your marriage application and had it signed by your officiant return it to the Mecklenburg County Clerk.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCharlotte is a beautiful city with early American history, rolling countryside and stunning mountaintops. Your guests will have lots of opportunities to explore when they visit Charlotte. Be sure to take a look at the city\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.charlotteonthecheap.com/events/\"\u003eevent pages\u003c/a\u003e before you select your wedding date, since large events will draw crowds and fill up nearby hotels, and also increase the cost of booking rooms.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDepending on what you are considering for wedding venues, Charlotte has a variety of downtown spaces, like the picturesque\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/aria-at-founders-hall-charlotte/ac1adc6ce08dbc56.html\"\u003eFounders Hall\u003c/a\u003e or the \u003ca href=\"http://www.dukemansion.com/en-us/weddings\"\u003eDuke Mansion\u003c/a\u003e, a 32,000 square foot mansion built in 1915.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you prefer the countryside, there are many great options as well. \u003ca href=\"https://alexanderhomesteadweddings.com/\"\u003eAlexander Homestead\u003c/a\u003e is a restored Victorian estate from 1903. \u003ca href=\"https://www.ballantyneclub.com/web/pages/weddings\"\u003eBallantyne Country Club\u003c/a\u003e has space for up to 200 guests on a classic golf and country club with friendly staff and traditional southern hospitality.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA rental car is suggested for out of town guests for getting around downtown, or for checking out some nearby mountain hikes such as Chimney Rock, there are also rideshare options as well if guests are staying in downtown.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCharlotte offers a humid subtropical climate. Summers in Charlotte experience fairly ideal weather, with temperatures averaging around 70 degrees most of June, July, and August. Winter will dip into the 30s with average high temperatures above 50 degrees.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs there a waiting period to get married in Charlotte once you\u0026rsquo;ve applied for the marriage license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo, there is not a required waiting period after the marriage license is issued. The ceremony needs to take place within 60 days of the issuance of the marriage license.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre witnesses required in order to get married in Charlotte?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYes, a legal ceremony consists of at least four people: the officiant, one witness and the bride and groom.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long does an applicant have to wait to get remarried after a divorce?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn Mecklenburg County, an applicant must provide a certified copy of the decree if the divorce was finalized within the last year.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo marriage license applicants need to provide a social security card?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYes, they do need to be able to provide the social security number.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e720 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee: \u003c/strong\u003e$60\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration: \u003c/strong\u003e60 days\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn:\u003c/strong\u003e by Couple\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":"","officiant_section_esp":"","couple_section_esp":"","wedding_tips_esp":"","faq_esp":"","content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":""}