AN ACT allowing a district court judge to perform marriage ceremonies.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 51‑1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 51‑1.  Requisites of marriage; solemnization.
A valid and sufficient marriage is created by the consent of a male and female person who may lawfully marry, presently to take each other as husband and wife, freely, seriously and plainly expressed by each in the presence of the other, either:
(1)	a.	In the presence of an ordained minister of any religious denomination, a minister authorized by a church, a district court judge of this State or of another state, or a magistrate; and
b.	With the consequent declaration by the minister, district court judge, or magistrate that the persons are husband and wife; or
(2)	In accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination, or federally or State recognized Indian Nation or Tribe.
Marriages solemnized before March 9, 1909, by ministers of the gospel licensed, but not ordained, are validated from their consummation."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective June 23, 2005, and expires June 27, 2005.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 12th day of May, 2005.

	s/ Charlie S. Dannelly
	 Deputy President Pro Tempore of the Senate

	s/ Richard T. Morgan
	 Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives

This bill having been presented to the Governor for his signature on the 13th day of May, 2005 and the Governor having failed to approve it within the time prescribed by law, the same is hereby declared to have become a law.
This 24th day of May, 2005

	s/	 Kevin Hall
	 Enrolling Clerk