STEP 1: Initial Planning & Preparation

• Review marriage service guidelines on the Raleigh Masjid website.

• Confirm eligibility and readiness for a Nikah ceremony in accordance with Islamic and North Carolina requirements.

• ALL grooms MUST be of the Muslim faith.

STEP 2: Schedule the Marriage Appointment

• Access the online appointment system to book your marriage/Nikah ceremony with the Imams' Office.

• Note: Review the requirements associated with conversion to Islam (e.g., shahada status) when confirming the appointment.

• Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellations must be received at least 7 days prior to the appointment.

  • A $10 cancellation fee will be retained to cover merchant services costs if cancelled. ($250 - $10 = $240)

STEP 3: Obtain NC Marriage License

• Apply for and obtain a North Carolina marriage license from the appropriate Register of Deeds office prior to your scheduled appointment.  

• Marriage will not be performed without a valid license.

• For license details and requirements, contact the Wake County Register of Deeds  or the NC Register of Deeds office.  N.C. Register of Deeds (919-856-5460)

STEP 4: Documentation Required Prior to Appointment

Copies of ALL the documents listed below MUST be submitted no later than 7 days prior to the marriage ceremony appointment:

• IDs for both the Bride and Groom

• IDs for the Wali (guardian) for the bride (e.g., father, son, paternal uncle, legal guardian)

• IDs for the two Muslim male witnesses (one from the groom's side and one from the bride's side)

• Marriage license (The marriage license must be issued by the State of North Carolina, or you may submit a prior officiated marriage certificate, not a license, from another state in the USA.)

• Photo identification for all parties (couple, wali, witnesses)

• No ceremony will be officiated without a valid NC Marriage License or required documentation.

STEP 5: Ceremony Logistic

Ceremony Location and Setup

• Nikah ceremonies are conducted within the designated prayer space based on the number of guests you expect. (Main prayer hall, upstairs women's prayer hall, or the Community Room)

• Guests should remove their shoes before entering the prayer hall and store them on the provided racks.

• Food and drink are prohibited within the prayer space.

Catering and Reception Options

• Although food and drink are prohibited inside the prayer hall, information about catering and reception services is available through Al Maidah Café upon request. More information can be found at https://raleighmasjid.org/services/kitchen-catering/

• If you will need additional space for your reception, you can find more information on how to reserve rooms at https://raleighmasjid.org/facilities-maintenance/
• Please be aware that the Imams' Office Team is not responsible for scheduling these types of services.  You will have to contact the IAR's Admin Office at (919) 834-9572.

STEP 6: What Happens After the Ceremony

Marriage License Processing

• Following the ceremony, IAR mails the original marriage license paperwork to the NC Register of Deeds for final processing and certification.

• The couple must request the official marriage certificate directly from the NC Register of Deeds either in person or online. Please be aware that it can take up to 10 business days for the state to process the paperwork and issue the marriage certificate. If you have any questions, please call them directly at (919) 856-5460. You can also visit their website at https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/register-deeds.