Couples can apply for marriage licenses online

By Karissa Minn

kminn@salisburypost.comJust in time for Rowan County's busy spring wedding season, engaged couples now have a faster way to apply for marriage licenses — by filling out a form online.

"Before, they had to come in personally and one of the staff members would have to type it on a typewriter," said County Register of Deeds John Brindle. "Now, we can have the customer type their marriage license from home and come in and finish the process in our office."

Since November, kiosks have been available in the Register of Deeds office where people can come fill out marriage licenses on their own and print them.

Brindle said the new service would further decrease the time people need to spend in the office to receive a marriage license. Applicants can be in and out in just a few minutes.

Any engaged couples planning to get married in North Carolina — not just those who live in this county — can fill out their marriage licenses online and come to the Rowan County office to retrieve them.

"Hopefully, we can generate some more funds for the county by bringing in people from outside," Brindle said.

He said his office switched to a new software system in November, and has resulted in many changes that make the office more efficient.

The software system was paid for out of automation funds, he said, which placed no cost on county citizens.

Those who want to fill out a marriage license online can visit www.co.rowan.nc.us, click on "Departments" and select "Register of Deeds" from the menu. On that page, there is a link that says, "New Online Marriage Application." Applicants can click on that, follow the instructions to fill out the information, and come by the office to finish the process.

A marriage license can be purchased at the Register of Deeds Office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The license fee is $60 and is accepted in cash only.

The Register of Deeds office requires state-issued identification for both applicants — for example, a driver's license or a certified birth certificate — to purchase a marriage license. A Social Security card also is required for both applicants, but a W-2 form, check stub or tax return may be presented if the card is not available.

If divorced, the applicants must know the month and year of the divorce decree. If the divorce was finalized during the same month and year of the purchase of the new marriage license, they must present a copy of the divorce decree.

At least one of the applicants must appear in the office with the required documents to purchase the license.