Bigamy is the act of marrying one person while being legally married to another. Polygamy is the practice or custom (often religious) of having more than one wife or husband at a time. Most states prohibit a party from having more than one marriage license at a time, and in most states bigamy is a crime.
In North Carolina, bigamy is illegal under state law. According to North Carolina General Statutes § 14-183, it is unlawful for any person, being married, to marry any other person. Bigamy in North Carolina is classified as a felony, and anyone found guilty of this offense may face criminal penalties. Polygamy, which involves having more than one spouse simultaneously, is also not recognized or permitted under North Carolina law. The state only recognizes monogamous marriages, and any marriage license issued while another one is still valid would be considered void. It is important for individuals to ensure that any prior marriage is legally terminated through divorce, annulment, or death before entering into a new marriage in the state of North Carolina.