To have a legal wedding ceremony in North Carolina, you need an ordained officiant and two witnesses. The role of the witnesses is to ensure that the marriage is legally binding and to sign the marriage license as proof of their presence and acknowledgement of the union.
In North Carolina, the law requires that both witnesses be at least 18 years old. This is to ensure that they are legally capable of understanding the significance of the ceremony and the responsibilities that come with being a witness to a marriage.
Having witnesses present is a common requirement in many jurisdictions, as it adds an extra layer of legal validity to the marriage. The witnesses serve as impartial parties who can attest to the fact that the couple willingly entered into the marriage contract.
The witnesses do not have to be family members or close friends of the couple. They can be anyone who meets the age requirement and is willing to fulfill the role. Some couples choose to have their parents or siblings act as witnesses, while others may ask close friends or even strangers to fulfill this role.
During the wedding ceremony, the officiant will typically ask the witnesses to come forward and sign the marriage license. This is an important step, as the marriage license is a legal document that needs to be signed by the couple, the officiant, and the witnesses to be considered valid.
It’s important to choose witnesses who are responsible and reliable, as their presence and signatures on the marriage license are crucial for the marriage to be legally recognized. Make sure to inform your chosen witnesses in advance about their role and responsibilities, so they can be prepared to fulfill their duties on the wedding day.
In conclusion, to have a legal wedding ceremony in North Carolina, you need an ordained officiant and two witnesses who are at least 18 years old. The witnesses play a vital role in ensuring the legality of the marriage by signing the marriage license. Choose your witnesses wisely and inform them of their responsibilities to ensure a smooth and legally recognized marriage.