Marriage License Requirements in South Carolina

Rules for Marriage Applications

  • Office hours for marriage license applications are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. (Holidays excepted) No applications taken after 4:30 p.m.
  • A marriage license fee, set by County ordinance, is $75.00 for South Carolina residents and $90.00 for non-residents. Applicants must provide proof of South Carolina residency of at least one applicant to qualify for resident application fee. All fees must be paid in Cash and are non-refundable.
  • Both applicants are required to be physically present to apply for a marriage license. An application cannot be taken by mail, telephone, fax, by one party only or by proxy. If you are over the age of eighteen (18), you must bring two forms of identification. The First form of identification you both are required to bring is your SOCIAL SECURITY CARD or Resident Alien Identification Card. The Second form of identification shall be a valid photo identification such as a Driver’s License or Highway Department ID card.
  • ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18: If either party is between the ages of sixteen (16) and eighteen (18), an ORIGINAL CERTIFIED COPY of the Long Form Birth Certificate issued by the State must be presented for the minor. A parent or guardian must accompany the minor and give consent. The parent will need to present a valid photo identification such as a Driver’s License or Highway Department ID card. If the parents of the minor are divorced, a certified copy of a court order must be presented showing legal custody. The court will retain, permanently, all certified copies if either party is under 18.
  • If persons applying have been divorced within the last six (6) months, they will need to bring their divorce decree.
  • Blood tests and physical examinations are not required.
  • There is a twenty-four (24) hour waiting period from the time of the application until the issuance of the license. License must be picked up during office hours. We do not mail the licenses to the applicants.
  • The marriage ceremony may be performed by ministers of the Gospel, accepted Jewish Rabbis, officers authorized to administer oaths in South Carolina (Notary Public), or the chief or spiritual leader of a Native American Indian entity recognized by the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs.
  • A marriage ceremony is required and must take place in South Carolina, but not necessarily within the County where the license was issued.