GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1018

Short Title:  Marriage Licenses and Study.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Dalton; and Phillips.

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Referred to:  Judiciary II.

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April 15, 1999

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT CONCERNING MARRIAGE LAWS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 51-8 reads as rewritten:
"§ 51-8.  License issued by register of deeds.
Every register of deeds shall, upon proper application, issue a license for the marriage of any two persons if it appears that such persons are authorized to be married in accordance with the laws of this State.  In making a determination as to whether or not the parties are authorized to be married under the laws of this State, the register of deeds may require the applicants for the license to marry to present certified copies of birth certificates or birth registration cards provided for in G.S. 130-73, or such other evidence as the register of deeds deems necessary to such determination.  The register of deeds may administer an oath to any person presenting evidence relating to whether or not parties applying for a marriage license are eligible to be married pursuant to the laws of this State.  Each applicant for a marriage license shall provide on the application the applicant's social security number.  If an applicant does not have a social security number and is ineligible to obtain one, the applicant shall present a statement to that effect, sworn to or affirmed before an officer authorized to administer oaths.  Upon presentation of a sworn or affirmed statement, the register of deeds shall issue the license, provided all other requirements are met, and retain the statement with the register's copy of the license.  The register of deeds shall not issue a marriage license unless all of the requirements of this section have been met."
Section 2.  The Legislative Research Commission may study Chapter 51 of the General Statutes. The study may address any of the following matters:
(1)	The responsibilities of the register of deeds in determining whether applicants are eligible for a marriage license.
(2)	The issuance of marriage licenses to persons under 18 years of age, including situations where the female applicant is pregnant or has born a child.
(3)	Persons authorized to give consent to marriage of underage applicants.
(4)	Persons authorized to solemnize marriages.
(5)	The duration and geographical scope of a marriage license.
(6)	The penalties for solemnizing a marriage without a license or with an invalid license.
(7)	Any other matters relating to marriages or marriage licenses in this State.
The Legislative Research Commission may file an interim report with the 2000 Session of the General Assembly and shall file a final report with the 2001 Session of the General Assembly.
Section 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.