Marriage license records sc

Couples may also require these documents when applying for loans, opening joint bank accounts, and completing citizenship requirements. Before performing formal marriage ceremonies, prospective couples must obtain marriage licenses.

The State of South Carolina does not offer different types of marriage licenses for ceremonial marriages and silent marital rites.

This means that a marriage is valid as long as a marriage license was obtained, and the couple exchanged vows before a probate judge or authorized ministers. Where and how the marriage will be performed is the sole choice of the couple. Applicants will need to meet specific parameters to obtain marriage licenses. Both parties must be adults and not related by blood. They do not need to be residents of the state or to pass blood tests and physical examinations.

Minors between 16 and 17 years are allowed after receiving parental consent. Usually, there is a hour waiting period before a marriage license can be released for use.

A marriage license is not needed for a common-law marriage to be legally authorized in the state. A common law marriage is a form of marriage where the two people involved consensually agree to be regarded as a couple.

There is no formal framework, such as a license or certificate supporting this form of marriage. Effective from July , common-law marriages were abolished and no longer allowed in the State of South Carolina.

However, persons in common-law marriages prior to this date are still considered married by law. An intending couple can obtain a marriage license from their preferred County Probate Court by following these steps:.

They must also visit the probate courts at the same time with their parents or legal guardians to sign forms consenting to the marriages. These consenting parents will also be required to provide their proof of identification. Parties that have been married in the past are usually required to provide copies of their divorce certificates. The cost of obtaining a marriage license in South Carolina varies from county to county.

Some other counties charge different fees for different groups of people. Make a marriage certificate request by visiting or sending a mail-in request to the County Probate Court where the marriage license was issued.

South Carolina marriage certificates recorded between July and December can also be obtained from the State Department of Health and Environmental Control. Visit the probate court with relevant details about the record of interest. Provide the full names of both spouses as they appear on the record, the date of marriage, and the county the marriage occurred. Bring along all required documents and applicable fees. Bring the request, photo ID, and complete fee to the particular probate court during business hours.

Contact the probate court of interest to ask if they offer mail-in services. Where applicable, send a written request to the particular Probate Court where the marriage license was issued. Make sure to include applicable fees paid by check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope in the request. The state office also accepts mail-in requests. Pay the fee by check or money order. Last Name:. What are South Carolina Marriage Records?

Visit VitalChek on the web or call , 7 days a week, hours-a-day. Only the persons named on the marriage certificate, their adult children or a present or former spouse may order through VitalChek. Same day service is a goal of Vital Records; most requests can be processed the same day. For services that require additional processing time such as paternity affidavits, corrections and amendments; please arrive early to ensure adequate time to process your request. Same day service is not guaranteed for requests such as paternity affidavits, adoption processing, corrections and amendments.

Other applicants may be provided with a statement that the marriage occurred, including the date and county in which the marriage license was issued. To amend or change any information on a marriage certificate please visit the Probate Court in the county where the marriage occurred. A couple planning to marry in South Carolina must apply for a license at a South Carolina county probate court. If you have not received any response to your request within 30 days of submission, you may call or e-mail us vrrequeststatus dhec.