Getting married in North Carolina: no SSN means signing an affidavit, and a courthouse ceremony needs 2 witnesses
The most common question about marrying in North Carolina is whether you can apply without a Social Security number (SSN). Taking Wake County (Raleigh) as the example: people who aren't eligible for an SSN can sign an affidavit; non-citizens who entered legally but don't qualify for an SSN can use an ITIN instead; and people with permanent residence or work authorization must have an SSN. The Marriage License fee is US$60, both of you appear together, and the wedding must take place in North Carolina within 60 days. If you need to register the marriage in Taiwan, a certificate issued in North Carolina is authenticated by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Atlanta.
The details below follow Wake County's official page; for other North Carolina counties, go by each county's website.
Requirements and ID
The Wake County Register of Deeds' rules (checked 2026-10-23):
- The fee is US$60, payable by cash or credit card; regional centers such as Northern, Southern and Eastern take cash only.
- Both of you must appear together in person.
- No appointment is needed; just go Monday to Friday, 8:30–16:00. You can fill in the application online beforehand and simply submit it, with no need to print it; you can also fill it in on a computer at the office.
- Bring valid government-issued ID.
- Applicants aged 16 to 20 must bring a certified birth record.
- If your divorce was finalized within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce record.
What if you don't have an SSN
Wake County's explanation (checked 2026-10-23):
- You must provide proof of your SSN or ITIN.
- People who are not eligible for an SSN can sign an affidavit at the office (affidavit in lieu of SSN) stating that they don't qualify, and then apply.
- Non-citizens who entered legally but don't qualify for an SSN can use an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead; an ITIN is applied for from the IRS with Form W-7.
- People with permanent residence or work authorization must have an SSN and can't use just an affidavit or an ITIN.
- If you are using an SSN, bring your Social Security card or an original W-2, plus valid ID showing your name and date of birth.
For how other states handle the SSN, see foreigners marrying in the US.
Validity and waiting period
- The wedding must take place in North Carolina within 60 days of getting the license.
- The Wake County page we checked this time doesn't mention a waiting period, so confirm before you apply.
For a comparison across states, see the official rules checked for 9 states.
Who can officiate, and how many witnesses
- A civil wedding can be performed by a magistrate, or the ceremony can be performed by a minister ordained under the rules of a religious body or authorized by a church; religious bodies that have no officiant, and the traditions of federally or state-recognized Native American tribes, are also allowed.
- A civil wedding performed by a magistrate requires 2 witnesses aged 18 or older.
The pages we checked this time don't give the deadline for returning the license after the ceremony or the fee for certified copies; go by the Wake County Register of Deeds. Authentication uses up one certified copy, so order several at once (item 10 of the checklist).
Registering in Taiwan and TECO in Atlanta
- Documents issued in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama are authenticated by TECO in Atlanta (jurisdiction table from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US, checked 2026-10-22).
- TECO in Atlanta: US$15 per document; for mail-in requests, pay by money order or cashier's check payable to TECO, with no personal or business checks; usually 7–10 business days; the return envelope must carry postage stamps, and postage meter labels are not accepted (checked 2026-10-22).
- The office's page has no specific rules on marriage certificates and translations; for how to prepare the translation, see translating the marriage certificate into Chinese.
For the full steps to register in Taiwan, see registering a US marriage in Taiwan in five steps; for a comparison of offices, see which TECO office to send your marriage certificate to.
Common questions
Can we marry in North Carolina without an SSN?
Yes. Wake County lets people who aren't eligible for an SSN sign an affidavit; non-citizens who entered legally can use an ITIN. People with permanent residence or work authorization must have an SSN.
How long is a North Carolina marriage license valid?
The wedding must take place in North Carolina within 60 days of getting the license (Wake County).
How many witnesses does a courthouse wedding in North Carolina need?
A civil wedding performed by a magistrate requires 2 witnesses aged 18 or older.
Can a green card holder use an ITIN to apply for a North Carolina marriage license?
No. Wake County states that people with permanent residence or work authorization must have an SSN; the ITIN option applies only to non-citizens who entered legally but don't qualify for an SSN.
North Carolina's 60 days and registering in Taiwan are on the timeline in the My Wedding Plan checklist: confirming the recording is item 9, certified copies item 10, and registering in Taiwan item 15. The checklist has a free version, and you can start without giving an email address.
Sources (checked 2026-10-23)
- Wake County Register of Deeds: Apply for a Marriage License (checked 2026-10-23)
- Wake County: No Social Security Number (checked 2026-10-23)
- Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta: Requirements for Document Authentication (checked 2026-10-22)
- Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States: Office jurisdictions (checked 2026-10-22)