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Licenses and Registration

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Driver’s License
All new residents of North Carolina who plan to operate a motor vehicle in this state must obtain a driver’s license within sixty (60) days of establishing a permanent residence. To apply, you must appear in person and take the required tests, which include written, road sign recognition and vision tests. New residents who hold a valid license from their previous state are usually exempt from a driving skills test. New drivers must provide at least two forms of identification, one of which must show the date of birth. Acceptable forms of ID include an original birth certificate, military discharge form DD-214, passport, marriage license, limited driving privilege papers, immigration documents and official school record signed by a school official. An out-of-state driver who is issued an NC license must surrender the license from the previous state to the license examiner.

If the driver has had a traffic violation within four years or is getting a North Carolina license for the first time, he or she must have Form DL-123, proof of liability insurance, filled out by the insurance company, or a copy of the original insurance policy. First time drivers must provide proof of driver’s education completion.

Costs for licenses and permits are as follows: $10 for a learner’s permit, duplicate license or identification card; $2.50 for each year that the license is valid for a Class C license; $3.75 per year for license classes A & B; $10 per year for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) classes A,B and C, plus $1.25 per year for each additional endorsement. Personal checks are accepted if they are labeled with the same address that appears on your driver’s license. No out-of-state or company checks are accepted.

For apply for a new drivers license or change an existing license:

NC Division of Motor Vehicles
Driver's License Bureau
5296 Main Street
Shallotte, NC
(910) 754-5114

The bureau is open weekdays from 8am to 5pm, with no road tests given after 4:30pm.

Vehicle Registration
To change an out-of-state title, an owner must show the title or the registration and insurance policy number and declare the vehicle mileage. For a new title, mileage information is required for cars under 10 years of age.

For renewals, owners must take their renewal card or registration and must furnish the name of their liability insurance carrier and their policy number to renew auto registration. The price is $20 for cars, $21.50 for trucks, $12 for motorcycles, and $7 to $10 for trailers. Some taxes may apply. Voter registration may also be accomplished at the Department of Motor Vehicles when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license or changing address. The department will process the application and forward it to the Board of Elections.

To renew a vehicle registration or get a vehicle title:
NC Division of Motor Vehicles
License Plate Agency
5300-A South Main Street
Shallotte, NC
(910) 754-4591

The office is open weekdays, 9am to Noon and 1-5pm.

Voter Registration
New residents must have lived in the county for 30 days prior to the election to qualify to vote. Legal residents of North Carolina who are U.S. citizens and 18 years of age and older may vote by registering in the county in which they reside at least 25 days prior to the election.

To receive the North Carolina Voter Registration Application, call Brunswick County Board of Elections office at (910) 253-2620 or (888) 445-2504, or stop by their office in the government complex at Bolivia. The Board of Elections office ifs open weekdays between 8:30am and 5pm. The office will also mail applications, but they must be processed in person. Phone registration is not allowed. Applications are also available at public libraries, most town halls and any state agency. Forms are also available at the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce office.

Boat Registration
All boats with motors, including sailboats more than 14-feet long, canoes and water scooters, must be registered unless for use in a private pond. Boat registrations are issued by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission in Raleigh, NC. The Commission will mail boat owners a renewal form 60 days prior to expiration. Renewals and boat registration applications may be obtained at Shallotte Marine Supplies. There is a fee of $8 per year or $20 for three years.
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Raleigh, NC
(800) 628-3773

Shallotte Marine Supplies
P.O. Box 823
Shallotte, NC 28459
(910) 754-6962

Marriage License
To obtain a marriage license, you will need to go to the Register of Deeds office in the Brunswick County Government Complex in Bolivia, NC. The office is open weekdays 8:30 am – 5:50 pm. All couples must have valid identification (a drivers license, a certified copy of a birth certificate or military identification). There are special requirements for those seeking a marriage license who are age 17 and under. A marriage license costs $40 and is valid for 60 days after purchase. For more information call the Brunswick County Register of Deeds at (910) 253-2690

School Registration
When enrolling a child in school for the first time, you will need to call the Brunswick County Board of Education office to find out which school your child will be attending. To qualify for kindergarten, children must be 5-years-old on or before October 15th. Parents will need to present a copy of their child’s birth certificate, immunization records and social security number. Call the Brunswick County Board of Education at (910) 253-2690.

Passport Registration
To obtain a passport for the first time, go to the Clerk of Courts office at the Brunswick County government complex in Bolivia. You will need to fill out form DSP-11. Take a certified copy of your birth certificate with a state seal to prove American citizenship. Proof of identity, such as a valid drivers license, is also required. Applicants will also need to bring two identical 2-by-2 inch commercial-grade photographs in either black and white or color. Passports are good for about 10 years for adults and 5 years for persons under age 18. It takes about a month for the State Department to process applications, but in emergencies, passports can be processed in a week for an additional fee of $30.
Fees: $65 for persons 18 and older; $40 for those under 18 year of age.

Pet Licenses & Requirements
The rule of thumb is that the towns and cities abide by the Brunswick County ordinances regarding domestic animals. Some municipalities may choose to impose stricter guidelines, so it is good idea to check with your town hall to make sure you are in compliance with all regulations regarding your pet.

Brunswick County law requires the following for pets:

· Rabies vaccinations are required. The dog and/or cat owner must have his animal vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian at four (4) months, again at sixteen (16) months of age, and then every three (3) years after that.
· Pets must wear their rabies tags at all times.
· Animal restraint-- the animal must be kept on the owner’s property or on a leash at all times.
In addition, Brunswick County has animal nuisance and animal cruelty laws. For more information contact your town hall and Brunswick County Animal Services at (910) 754-8204. See the Business Directory in the back of the Relocation Guide for a listing of licensed veterinarians.