Can a minister ordained online legally perform a marriage ceremony in North Carolina?

Answer 1

Yes, from the NH state code: "[A marriage may be solemnized]...by any minister of the gospel in the state who has been ordained according to the usage of his or her denomination, resides in the state, and is in regular standing with the denomination..." See http://openordination.org/state_faq.php#New_Hampshire for full details.

The minister will require a "Statement of Good Standing" from the ordaining organization.

Answer 2

A minister ordained can perform a ceremony however, you will need to check his or her ordination.

The landmark case, further establishing the legal legitimacy of ordination by mail is the decision of 1974 by the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, Civil No. S-1954, in which the judge ruled: "Neither this Court, nor any branch of this Government, will consider the merits or fallacies of a religion. Nor will the Court compare the beliefs, dogmas, and practices of a newly organized religion with those of an older, more established religion. Nor will the Court praise or condemn a religion, however excellent or fanatical or preposterous it may seem. Were the court to do so, it would impinge upon the guarantees of the first amendment."

However, the minister, no matter how or where ordained, will need to comply with local regulations.

According to state code for North Caroline, a minister may be ordained, and officiate a wedding, "In accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination".