1. How to Become a Minister in Durham County

Before you do anything, your first move will be to become ordained (in case you haven't already done so). How does it work? Get Ordained™ offers legal ordination via the Universal Life Church, and the process is completely free. The ULC welcomes anyone who feels called to ministry, and does not discriminate based on identity, creed, or any other characteristics. You can become ordained online in just a few minutes, right from your device. With this important step complete, you'll have the power to officiate legal weddings! To start the application, follow the link below.

Important Info for Ministers in Durham County

ULC Ordination Accepted:
Yes
Minister Registration Required:
Sometimes
Documents Required:
N/A
Minister's Residency:
Irrelevant
Minister's Minimum Age:
18

2. Learn Durham County Marriage Requirements

Your next action item is to contact the office in charge of issuing marriage licenses in Durham County. Politely explain that you're an ordained minister planning to perform a wedding ceremony in their jurisdiction, and you'd like to know what credentials or official documents you need to show prior to officiating. Below you'll see contact information for this office in Durham County.

Office Address:
200 East Main Street
Durham, NC 27701
Office Phone Number:
(919) 560-0300

3. Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Durham County?

How about you! (Once you are ordained, of course). Weddings have a reputation for being pretty spendy, and couples are always looking for ways to reduce costs. One way to do that, while also injecting extra meaning to the proceedings, is by selecting someone they know personally to officiate. This could be a friend, a loved one, or even a mentor.

Regardless of your relationship to the couple, being asked to officiate is a tremendous honor. It shows that the couple has deep trust in you, and that they find confidence in having you standing alongside them on the big day. It's worth noting, however, that not everyone planning a wedding knows this is an option! If you are close to an engaged couple, you could always present the idea of you becoming ordained and officiating, just in case it hadn't occurred to them.

Average Cost of a Wedding in Durham County:
$30,000

4. What You'll Need to Officiate in Durham County

After contacting the Durham County office that handles marriages, you should have a solid idea of what you will need to order from our website. Based on conversations with our ministers in Durham County, the Classic Wedding Kit with a Letter of Good Standing is the most popular option. However, your selection may depend on the specific requirements for officiating in your area.

Once you receive the items you need, you'll be ready to officially perform the wedding! If it's your first time officiating, (or even if it's not!) we'd encourage you to visit our wedding training center, which features a suite of resources and tools you may find helpful when preparing for the ceremony.

5. How Durham County Marriage Licenses Work

Once you finish the ceremony, your final (and most crucial) responsibility is to correctly fill out and return the marriage license. A Durham County marriage license is valid for 60 days, and after the document has been issued, there is no mandatory waiting period before the marriage can take place. Please note that a marriage license in Durham County must be returned to its issuing office before it expires.

Remember that this is a legal document, so always double-check all fields have been properly completed before returning it. The license itself can be a bit confusing, so if you need tips for how to fill out a marriage license, please check out our marriage license training page.

Marriage License Waiting Period:
None
Marriage License Valid For:
60 Days
Return Within:
By Expiration

6. Performing a Wedding in Durham County

Durham, North Carolina is home to lakes and campgrounds in the north, and in the southern part of the county is home to a bustling city! Northern Durham County has 3 lakes to visit that are all pristine and gorgeous. The urban city to the south is home to fun activities and things to do, as well as a collection of both casual and fine dining restaurants! Couples will have no issues finding a scenic location and fantastic catering in Durham County. Folks who pick this county to spend their wedding day will get the best of both nature and urban worlds.

7. What You Should Do Now for a Wedding in Durham County

Warm weathers and dry winters mean spring time is the best time for a wedding here, but summer weddings can be nice to if you're lucky enough to avoid summer showers!

Well that about does it! You are now an expert on Durham County weddings! Even if your ceremony isn't for a while, a friendly reminder that it's never too early to become a minister (ordination is good for life, after all). Go ahead and click the button below to get started.

Once you've completed this all-important step, performing a legal wedding ceremony in Durham County will be within your reach!