In the urban downtown city of Durham, N.C. lies a special treasure. It’s not the fluff and frill of your normal wedding venues in Durham. It is a wedding venue so perfect that it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and doesn’t come with stress of other wedding venues. It is the Durham County Courthouse.

It is the best wedding venue alternative in Durham, N.C. and in my opinion there is nothing more simple and fun then getting married at the courthouse so you can have a stress-free wedding day.

The Durham County Courthouse It is fun, romantic, and adventurous to elope at plus it has some great places surrounding the venue to have a simple reception.

I love taking photos of weddings all over Durham but I never feel as inspired as I do when I work with couples who put the importance of the day over the venue.

The Durham County Courthouse isn’t the wedding venue that’s for “traditional” couples. It’s for couples who believe that your connection with each other is more important than a lavish reception. It’s for couples who enjoy the simple things in life. It’s for weddings that are different and hopefully you fall in love with surprising wedding venue as much as I have.

8 Steps To Getting Married at the Durham County Courthouse

Know the requirements and details for getting married in Durham county

• Applicants can’t already be married.
• Applicants must be getting married within 60 days of getting their license.
• Applicants must be getting married in the State of North Carolina.
• Pay $60.00 (Cash, Money Order, or Bank Check) fee to obtain a marriage license.

• Certified copies of your marriage license are $10.00 each (cash, money order, or bank check).
• Marriage License are issued at the Office of the Register of Deed 8:30 a.m. and before 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except major holidays. The address is:,

201 East Main Street - 2nd Floor
Administration Bldg. 2
Durham, North Carolina 27701
Choose a time and date
June, September and October are by far the busiest months in Durham because the weather is perfect and there’s still lots of daylight for photos. May, July and August are also great months to getting married. In May,, nature is a lush green and flowers are in bloom. But since your courthouse wedding will be…in the Durham Courthouse you could also just get married in Winter too! It’s your special day so you should do what feels right.

I highly recommend a weekday when the courthouse is less crowded. In my experience, Wednesdays and Thursdays are the least crowded days. Whatever you do, try to plan on photos as early as possible in the day so you feel your best, look your best and have great light. I know it can be hard to plan around your wedding day (even when it’s a simple one) but because it’s one of the most special days in the world, don’t you want the pictures to capture that!?
Fax or email documents and apply online for marriage (this is the boring step)
You must have a Social Security Card or a legal document with your full Social Security number on it. If you haven’t been assigned a Social Security Card then you can get an affidavit form at the Register of Deeds Office. All applicants must have one of the following valid (not expired, and legible) forms of identification:
- Current Driver’s License
- Current State Issued Identification Card
- Current Passport
- Military Identification
- Contact Information Form (Fill out the Online Marriage Application first because you’ll need the “Application Reference Number”.)
- In addition to the documents above you’ll apply for marriage using the Online Marriage Application
  
  ***The names on your ID and social security card must match (first, middle, and last name).
  ****Once your application is submitted and you’ve emailed/faxed your documents, the Register of Deeds will call you to schedule your wedding.
  *****You must request certified copies of your marriage licenses. They are are not automatically mailed so they must be requested. The bottom of this page has where to request.
  
  Fax or email your documents to:
  919-560-7221 / RODVitals@dconc.gov.
Plan the rest of your wedding day!
Getting married at the courthouse is only part of your wedding day. You’ll want to think about have lunch, dinner or drinks afterwards at Tobacco Road, American Tobacco Campus, The Durham, Bar Virgil or Alley 26. These are really close to the courthouse and you can even walk there if you like!

Also, think about doing a morning run or yoga with your partner to start your day off stress-free and positive. Then consider having a pre-wedding latte at Cocoa Cinnamon, Parker and Otis or Loaf in downtown Durham.

Another great wedding day activity is a hike at the Eno River, a stroll through Duke Gardens or a bike ride through downtown. Whatever you decide try to plan out your whole day so you won’t be worried or stressed on the day of.
Find an officiant and photographer!
In Durham we pride ourselves on being unique so they allow anyone to officiate weddings! It doesn’t matter whether they’re ordained or not so a friend, a family member or anyone you trust, could officiate your courthouse wedding!

In North Carolina, you must have a couple of witnesses so make sure you bring a couple of your closest family members or friends with you.

If you don’t have a friend or family member that can be your officiant then I recommend Kevin Holland (kevin@personalweddingsnc.com) or Jameela Dallis (919) 907-0718 or ask your friend to get ordained here: https://www.oministry.com/ordained-marriage-laws/north-carolina

Need a photographer or videographer? Hire me!
Make your after wedding travel plans!
You will most likely be traveling to some exotic or adventurous location after your wedding at the courthouse so you’ll want to go ahead and choose a location and book a flight. This is lots of fun and super exciting!

Raleigh-Durham International Airport has lots of non-stop destination flights that are perfect for honey moons or a simple weekend getaway after your wedding day.

Some of my favorites places to fly from RDU are Cancun, Denver, Miami, New Orleans, Paris, Punta Cana, San Juan, Seattle, or Toronto. Where ever you choose to honeymoon after your courthouse wedding just know it’s only a 15 minute drive from the courthouse down 147 South to I-40 West then take exit 284B then follow the signs.

Here’s a link to some of my favorite direct flights out of RDU Airport: https://www.rdu.com/airline-information/airline-destinations
Get a dress, suit, flowers and hair & make up
For hair Posh The Salon 919-683-2109 / www.poshthesalon.com
For make up April Kensington at Be Pure Beauty 866-535-8715 / www.bepurebeauty.com
My favorite flower shops Tre Bella and Pine State Flowers.
Get married!
This is the fun part. This is where it all comes together is a beautiful day of celebration. It’s as simple as that!