{"data":{"id":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-51-1","jurisdiction":"us-nc","citation":"N.C. Gen. Stat. § 51-1","heading":"Requisites of marriage; solemnization.","body":"A valid and sufficient marriage is created by the consent of a male and female person who may lawfully marry, presently to take each other as husband and wife, freely, seriously and plainly expressed by each in the presence of the other, either:\n(1)\ta.\tIn the presence of an ordained minister of any religious denomination, a minister authorized by a church, or a magistrate; and\nb.\tWith the consequent declaration by the minister or magistrate that the persons are husband and wife; or\n(2)\tIn accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination, or federally or State recognized Indian Nation or Tribe.\nMarriages solemnized before March 9, 1909, by ministers of the gospel licensed, but not ordained, are validated from their consummation. (1871-2, c. 193, s. 3; Code, s. 1812; Rev., s. 2081; 1908, c. 47; 1909, c. 704, s. 2; c. 897; C.S., s. 2493; 1945, c. 839; 1965, c. 152; 1971, c. 1185, s. 26; 1977, c. 592, s. 1; 2000-58, ss. 1, 2; 2001-14, ss. 1, 2; 2001-62, ss. 1, 17; 2002-115, ss. 5, 6; 2002-159, s. 13(a); 2003-4, s. 1; 2005-56, s. 1; 2007-61, s. 1; 2009-13, s. 1; 2012-194, s. 65.4(a).)","path":["Chapter 51. Marriage.","Article 1. General Provisions."],"source_url":"https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_51/GS_51-1.html","current_through":"S.L. 2026-30","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T18:04:47Z","sha256":"1a116d75c8d1546c9e3ed634ff9595b3ec6b4e39339d83e7112f39a8ee2365d3","source_id":"us-nc","stale":false,"prev":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-50d-11","next":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-51-1.1"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}