{"id":8422,"name":"Raleigh","state_id":42,"county_id":2184,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:34:11.456-07:00","updated_at":"2023-10-29T10:28:11.447-07:00","meta_description":"Learn about officiating weddings and planning ceremonies in Raleigh NC","head_tag":"A guide for officiating weddings and planning ceremonies in \"The Triangle\"","tagline":"All that Southern Charm!","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eAs the capital of North Carolina, this city is a regional mecca for arts and entertainment. If you live here, you\u0026rsquo;re well aware of that, but out-of-towners will be impressed by all the city has to offer in terms of venues and activities, as well as scenery and history along the way. Raleigh is a magical place to start your new life together.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe purpose of this article is to get you the fast facts about getting ordained, applying for a marriage license, and even other information about the legal process required prior to getting married. Once we\u0026rsquo;ve covered that, we\u0026rsquo;ll start acquainting you with everything else that Raleigh has to offer couples on their big day.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eStep 1: Get Ordained with the American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to North Carolina marriage law, the following individuals are allowed to legally officiate marriage in the state:\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eReligious persons of any denomination\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJudges\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJustices of the peace\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIf you aren\u0026rsquo;t on that list yet, it\u0026rsquo;s time for you to \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eget ordained\u003c/a\u003e, which you can do right here on this website. The process only takes a few minutes, and legally empowers you to perform weddings anywhere in the US, including Raleigh NC.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough you are not required to present documentation as proof of ordination in the State of North Carolina, it is still a good idea to have your papers on hand in case a county clerk asks for them or you decide to officiate a wedding in a state where they are required. All the materials you need can be found in our \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/store/products/minister-ordination-package\"\u003eMinister Ordination Package\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eStep 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Wake County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s important to prepare the wedding ceremony well in advance of the actual event so you have time to write, edit, and practice with the couple.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOur wedding training tools offered here on this website provide tips and tricks that can help you reduce your anxiety, make you confident when officiating a wedding, and deliver a memorable wedding ceremony.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to take your officiating skills to another level, consider taking our \u003ca href=\"https://courses.theamm.org/amms-professional-wedding-officiant-course/\"\u003eProfessional Wedding Officiant Certification Course\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFrom a purely practical standpoint, it\u0026rsquo;s a good idea to make sure the couple has the marriage license in hand for at least a few days before the wedding ceremony, and that all the information on it is correct. There\u0026rsquo;s no waiting period, so once they have the license, the wedding can proceed, but in the busy days leading up to the event, don\u0026rsquo;t forget the paperwork.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eStep 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\u003eAs the wedding officiant, your job is to perform the marriage as requested by the couple. That also entails confirming that the couple promise to take each other as married spouses with verbal consent, which is then sealed with yours and their signatures.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce that\u0026rsquo;s taken care of, you have successfully married the couple and you have also completed the marriage! Congrats, now it\u0026rsquo;s time for the reception.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003cp\u003eFile for the Marriage License from the Wake County Clerk\u0026rsquo;s Office. It is the couple\u0026#39;s responsibility to register and obtain the marriage license prior to the ceremony.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThose that want to file for a marriage license are able to do so \u003ca href=\"http://www.wakegov.com/rod/vitalrecords/Pages/marriage.aspx\"\u003eonline here\u003c/a\u003e, and then finish the registration at the office located at 300 S. Salisbury St. Suite 1700.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRemember, you should have these documents on hand when registering for a marriage license:\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\u003eValid photo ID\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSocial security number\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$60 registration fee\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\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\u003eRaleigh, as we mentioned is a cultural hub for the region, so it\u0026rsquo;s likely to be a destination for more than just you and your wedding party. Make sure that there are no big \u003ca href=\"https://www.visitraleigh.com/events/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwoKzsBRC5ARIsAITcwXGcIizh4dnP0wW7gEZVHFDthHbiomes8UF3CbSV2TE-8yBMsEIOFSgaApuPEALw_wcB\"\u003eevents or festivals happening\u003c/a\u003e in the area during the day of your marriage, or if there are, make sure to get a drop on bookings. With a number of music festivals, markets and more happening throughout the year, being prepared is important.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere are also a number of great venues for all tastes. If you\u0026rsquo;re looking for a more rustic venue usually, you might want to consider the \u003ca href=\"https://fearrington.com/wedding-barn/\"\u003eFearrington Barn\u003c/a\u003e. If you want something more upscale, the \u003ca href=\"http://www.merrimonwynne.com/\"\u003eMerrimon-Wynne House\u003c/a\u003e fits that description.\u0026nbsp;\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\u003eRaleigh has beautiful weather for most of the year, though the temperatures can drop during the winter months. Summers can get a bit muggy too, so just make sure that your venues has an option for older guests that might want to escape the heat.\u0026nbsp;\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\u003eWe\u0026rsquo;ve heard that the public transport system in the city is pretty effective, but guests can also drive themselves, since parking is generally available at or near most venues. There are also\u003ca href=\"https://raleighdreamlimos.com/\"\u003e limo services\u003c/a\u003e and other transport services for folks that would prefer someone else drive them to their destinations.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I have to pay a fee to obtain a marriage license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYes, there is a $60 fee for those that apply for a marriage license in Raleigh.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I get married right away once I have the license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYou can get married as soon as the license is issued, there is no waiting period once you apply and are approved for the marriage license.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the marriage license expire?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe marriage license will expire within 60 days, so it is important to get married within that time or you have to pay the fee and apply again.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e 300 S. Salisbury St. Suite 1700\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $60\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period: \u003c/strong\u003eNone\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":""}