How to Elope in North Carolina: Everything You Need to Know

Whether you’re looking to elope amidst the misty mountain peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, or exchange vows beneath a waterfall or tucked in a forest, or in one of the many charming coastal towns in the Outer Banks, North Carolina has a setting for every kind of love story. The question is — how to elope in North Carolina?

The steps to make your marriage legal, whether an elopement, a micro wedding, or a traditional wedding, can feel complicated and tedious. With some planning and a little bit of help, it can be done quickly and stress free! Here, we’ll review:

• How to obtain a marriage license 
• How many witnesses are required
• All inclusive North Carolina elopement packages
• Top booked venues in North Carolina on Simply Eloped
• Post elopement: getting a marriage certificate
• Post elopement: changing your last name 

How to Get your Marriage License 

Your marriage license is the most important part of your marriage process. This is because to get married in North Carolina, or really anywhere in the US, you need a marriage license. To obtain that, you will need to get a marriage license from the Register of Deeds at any county in the state—in general most partners will likely need to go to the Register of Deeds’ office in order to obtain the marriage license, however some counties allow for you to submit an online application ahead of going to the office.

You’ll need to fill out a form stating your names, ages, marital status, and intention to marry. You will also need to provide your social security number, and you may need to provide proof of age by bringing your government-issued ID or a copy of your birth certificate.

The marriage license application fee is $60.00, and if you need a certified copy of your marriage license, you’ll need to pay an additional $10.00.

Once you receive your marriage license, there is no waiting period between getting the license and having your ceremony, so you can get your license the day of your ceremony if you’d like. Your marriage license is valid for 60 days after you receive it, so your ceremony must take place within 60 days of receiving your marriage license.

Obtaining a Wedding Officiant and Witnesses

In North Carolina, you need a recognized officiant to perform your marriage ceremony. Your wedding can be performed by a magistrate or any minister who is ordained in a religious denomination or authorized by a church. Your ceremony can be performed in the recognized manner of any religious denomination or of any federally or state-recognized Native American tribe. Judges cannot perform marriages in the state of North Carolina.

All Inclusive Washington Elopement Packages

Simply Eloped offers a number of customizable elopement packages for your North Carolina Elopement! Our Seed, Simply Photographed, Sprout, Bloom, and Oasis packages are available in North Carolina. This provides each couple the unique opportunity to build their perfect, customizable elopement package from top to bottom. Here are a few details on each package. To see more information on each of these North Carolina elopement packages, click here.

• Seed Package Details: Includes professional officiant, personalized ceremony, advice on obtaining your marriage license and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Simply Photographed Details: Covers one hour of professional photography and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Sprout Package Details: Offers a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Bloom Package Details: Includes a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Oasis Package Details: Covers professional officiant, two hours of photography, one hour of videography, hair and make up for one person, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere and dedicated Elopement Specialist.

Places to Elope in North Carolina

Curious about our favorite places to elope in North Carolina? Here are our top booked venues with all their details.

Black Balsam Knob

If you’re envisioning sweeping mountain views, Black Balsam Knob, located off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Pisgah National Forest,  is one of North Carolina’s most breathtaking spots to elope. This venue is available from April 1st to October 31st. You can celebrate with up to 10 guests (including the couple and vendors), and your pup can join the party as long as they remain on a leash. You will need to obtain a permit to host your ceremony at this venue, but we’ve got you covered.

This venue is not wheelchair accessible, but does allow for streaming so friends and family can tune in from afar. You will not be permitted to use candles, sparklers, or decor during your ceremony. Since this is a public park, you’ll have to plan to pop the champagne elsewhere after your ceremony as well. There is parking available in designated spots parallel to the road.

Cataloochee Valley

Tucked away in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cataloochee Valley is the perfect peaceful backdrop for any adventurous elopement. This is a popular location to spot elk and wild turkeys, so thirty days notice is required to book this venue, and this venue is available from April through October. A permit is required, but we’ve got you covered.

You can celebrate with up to 20 guests (not including the couple and vendors), and your pup is welcome to join the party as long as they remain on a leash. This venue does allow for streaming, so friends and family can also tune in from afar. Since this is a public park, you’ll have to plan to pop the champagne elsewhere after your ceremony as well. There is parking available via the park’s parking tag program.

Wiseman’s View

Perched above Linville Gorge, Wiseman’s View has cliff and canyon views making it an unforgettable spot to say “I do.” With two stone decks to choose from, the views are hard to beat. This venue is available from April 1st to October 31st, and it does require a permit, but Simply Eloped’s got you covered. You can celebrate with up to 10 guests (including the couple and vendors), and your pup can join the party as long as they remain on a leash. 

The upper deck at this venue is wheelchair accessible, and this venue does allow for streaming as well, so friends and family can tune in from afar. You will not be permitted to use candles, sparklers, or decor during your ceremony. Since this is a public park, you’ll have to plan to pop the champagne elsewhere after your ceremony as well. There is parking available on site.

Tom’s Creek Falls

Tom’s Creek Falls is one of our favorite spots outside of Asheville. This 80′ falls is situated just a mile off the highway in Pisgah National Park, and it’s the perfect spot for an intimate elopement. This venue is available from April 1st to October 31st, and it does require a permit, but Simply Eloped’s got you covered. 

This venue is wheelchair accessible, and it does allow for streaming as well, so friends and family can tune in from afar. You can celebrate with up to 10 guests (including the couple and vendors), and your pup can join the party as long as they remain on a leash. You will not be permitted to use candles, sparklers, or decor during your ceremony. Since this is a public park, you’ll have to plan to pop the champagne elsewhere after your ceremony as well. There is limited parking available on site, so make sure to carpool when possible.

Roan Mountain Garden Area

The Roan Mountain Garden Area is known for its breathtaking mountain views and Rhododendron Gardens. This venue is available from May 31st to September 5th, and it does require a permit, but we’ve got you covered. You can celebrate with up to 10 guests (including the couple and vendors), and your pup can join the party as long as they remain on a leash.

This venue is not wheelchair accessible, but it does allow for streaming, so friends and family can tune in from afar. You will not be permitted to use candles, sparklers, or decor during your ceremony. Since this is a public park, you’ll have to plan to pop the champagne elsewhere after your ceremony as well. There is paid parking available on site.

Get Your Marriage Certificate

The easiest way to get a certified copy of your marriage certificate is to indicate that you’d like one in your marriage license application and pay an extra $10.00 fee with your application. If you need a copy of your marriage certificate later, you can head to North Carolina Vital Records and order a copy of your marriage certificate there for $24.00.

How to Change your Last Name in North Carolina

To apply for a legal name change in North Carolina, you can elect to change your name as part of your marriage license application. Once you receive a certified copy of your marriage certificate, you can use this as documentation for your legal name change.

Here are the steps you need to take to change your name:

1. You’ll want to head to the Social Security Administration’s website, and fill out the questionnaire. Once completed, the website will tell you whether you can make the request to change your name online, or if you need to go to a local office to make the request in person.
2. After you’ve changed your name with the Social Security Administration, you can head to the DMV to update your driver’s license. Don’t forget to bring your current license, your certified marriage certificate, and an Official US Court Name Change document in order to change your name on your driver’s license.
3. To update your name on your passport, head to the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website. 
   1. If it’s been less than one year since your passport was issued and your name was legally changed, you will need to submit form DS-5504, your most recent US passport, An original or certified document showing you changed your name less than one year after your most recent passport was issued like your marriage certificate, and a passport photo by mail. The instructions for mailing these items is on form DS-5504.
   2. If it’s been more than a year since your passport was issued or since you changed your name, you may be eligible to renew your passport by mail using Form DS-82 or apply in person using Form DS-11.
      1. You can renew by mail if your most recent passport is submitted with your application, is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, was issued within the last 15 years, and was issued in your current name (or you can show the name change). If you meet all of these requirements, you can submit form DS-82, your most recent US passport, your original or certified name change document like your marriage certificate, one color passport photo, a fee (which will depend on your age) by mail to the address listed on form DS-82.
      2. To apply in person, find a location near you on the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs that issues passports. You’ll need to bring form DS-11, evidence of US citizenship, your original or certified name change document like your marriage certificate, Valid ID and photocopy of that ID, one color passport photo, and a fee (which will depend on your age).

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ve done the tallest task of completing your legal name change apart from actually getting married. After your ceremony, you’ll then want to go through your accounts, credit cards, bank accounts, employers and insurance to make sure your name is up to date. It seems like a lot because it is! Take this process step by step, and it should all go smoothly. There’s also many businesses that help with the name changing process.

Eloping is an exciting moment in you and your partner’s life! Though there’s a few steps to get you down the aisle, Simply Eloped is here to support you in the full process. To learn more about our packages and services, chat with one of our Personal Elopement Designers.

This article has been fact checked and reviewed for accuracy by a Simply Eloped Personal Elopement Specialists in January 2026.