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Office of the Imams
Marriage
Steps, requirements, and everything you need for your nikah at IAR.
The Islamic Association of Raleigh congratulates you on this next step. Whether this is your first nikah or you’re returning to us after a previous marriage, here’s everything you need — from your very first appointment to the day your marriage certificate arrives in the mail.
Watch & learn
See what to expect, step by step
A short overview of getting married at IAR, plus a step-by-step walkthrough for signing your NC marriage license.
Overview Getting married at IAR
Walkthrough How to sign your NC marriage license
At a glance
The essentials, before you dive into the steps below
Marriage will not be performed without a valid North Carolina marriage license.
Steps to get married at IAR
Your path to nikah, from first step to certificate
Six steps, start to finish. A few can happen in any order — but everything below must be complete before your ceremony date.
Step 1
Plan & prepare
Review our marriage guidelines and confirm that you and your fiancé(e) are ready and eligible under both Islamic and North Carolina requirements.
If it’s been less than six months since you took your shahada, you’ll follow a slightly different scheduling path in Step 2.
Step 2
Schedule your appointment
Book your marriage/nikah ceremony through our online appointment system with the Imams’ Office. Converts of six or more months, and those born Muslim, use the booking link below directly.
If it’s been less than six months since your shahada, please contact the Imams’ Office directly to schedule instead.
Step 3
Get your NC marriage license
Apply for your marriage license through your county’s Register of Deeds office before your appointment. For Wake County, call (919) 856-5460.
Need help signing it once you have it? Watch the walkthrough above.
Step 4
Submit your documents
Copies of everything below are due no later than 7 days before your ceremony:
- Photo ID for the bride and groom
- Wali (guardian) ID — father, paternal grandfather, brother, son, or paternal uncle
- Two Muslim male witnesses’ IDs — one from the groom’s side, one from the bride’s side
- Your NC marriage license, or a valid marriage certificate from a prior U.S. state marriage
Step 5
Ceremony day
Depending on your guest count, your ceremony will be held in the main prayer hall, the upstairs women’s prayer hall, or the Community Room.
Shoes are removed at the door, and food and drink aren’t permitted in the prayer space. Want catering or a reception afterward? Al Maidah Café handles catering, and additional rooms can be reserved separately.
Step 6
After the ceremony
IAR mails your original license back to the NC Register of Deeds on your behalf. From there, you’ll request your official marriage certificate directly from the Register of Deeds.
It can take up to 10 business days for the state to process the paperwork.
From the Qur’an
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًۭا لِّتَسْكُنُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةًۭ وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٢١
“And one of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find comfort in them. And He has placed between you compassion and mercy. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect.”
Surah Ar-Rum · 30:21
Ready when you are
Begin your nikah journey
Book your ceremony date with the Imams’ Office, then work through the steps above at your own pace — we’re here to help along the way.
Less than six months since your shahada? Contact the Imams’ Office to schedule instead · Admin Office (919) 834-9572 · Wake County Register of Deeds (919) 856-5460
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