To the full extent permitted by the Constitution, the Probate Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over all subject matter related to the issuance of marriage licenses; records, indexes, and dispose of copies of marriage certificates; and issue certified copies of the licenses and certificates.

It is unlawful for any persons to contract matrimony, i.e. marry, within this State without first obtaining a marriage license from the Probate Court.

The Probate Court may issue a marriage license upon: (a) the filing of the marriage application, both persons must apply together (b) the lapse of at least twenty-four hours thereafter, (c) the payment of the fee, CASH ONLY, at time of application (d) and the filing of a statement, under oath or affirmation, to the effect that the persons seeking the contract of matrimony are legally entitled to marry, together with the full names of the persons, their ages and places of residence. NO BLOOD TEST IS NECESSARY. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE LAW - NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF SIXTEEN (16) CAN APPLY FOR A LICENSE. IF EITHER PARTY IS BETWEEN THE AGES OF SIXTEEN (16) AND EIGHTEEN (18) YOU MUST BRING A CERTIFIED BIRTH CERTIFICATE WHICH IS KEPT BY THE COURT FOR RECORD. A PARENT OR GUARDIAN MUST ACCOMPANY THE MINOR AND GIVE CONSENT. THE PARENT WILL NEED TO PRESENT IDENTIFICATION. IF THE PARENTS OF THE MINOR ARE DIVORCED, A CERTIFIED COPY OF A COURT ORDER WILL NEED TO BE PRESENTED SHOWING LEGAL CUSTODY WHICH IS KEPT BY THE COURT. ALL PARTIES HAVE TO COME IN TOGETHER. BETWEEN THE AGES OF EIGHTEEN (18) AND TWENTY FOUR (24) YOU MUST PROVIDE IDENTIFICATION. ACCEPTANCE FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION ARE YOUR DRIVERS'S LICENSE, HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT IDENTIFICATION, CERTIFIED COPY OF YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE, MILITARY IDENTIFICATION. TWENTY FIVE AND ABOVE NO IDENTIFICATION IS NECESSARY. ALL APPLICANTS HAVE TO PROVIDE THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. THERE IS A TWENTY FOUR (24) HOUR WAITING PERIOD BEFORE EITHER ONE OF THE APPLICANTS CAN RETURN TO PICK UP THE MARRIAGE LICENSE DURING OFFICE HOURS. THE LICENSE CAN NOT BE MAILED TO YOU.

Only ministers of the Gospel or accepted Jewish rabbis and officers authorized to administer oaths in this State are authorized to administer a marriage ceremony in this State. (This includes Notaries).

After the marriage is performed and the license is recorded in this office the information becomes public record. A certified copy may be obtained for $5.00 during regular business hours. ONLY licenses ISSUED from this office are recorded here. Records of marriage licenses begin in the year 1911.