GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 1999

SESSION LAW 1999-375
SENATE BILL 1018

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.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 19th day of July, 1999.

s/	Dennis A. Wicker
President of the Senate

s/	James B. Black
Speaker of the House of Representatives

s/	James B. Hunt, Jr.
Governor

Approved 9:30 p.m. this 4th day of August, 1999