South Carolina Marriage Records

South Carolina marriage records provide information on marriage unions between spouses in the Palmetto State. These records typically feature the full name of the bride and groom, the location, and the marriage date, officially documenting the marriage event. They may also contain data obtained during the license application, such as both parties’ residence addresses, previous marital statuses, dates of birth, and age. Historically, churches played a significant role in maintaining marriage records in South Carolina, serving as key institutions for documenting these events. These days, the county clerk is responsible for recording and preserving these records to ensure their accuracy and preservation. The South Carolina Vital Records Office is responsible for managing recent marriage records as well as related South Carolina Family Court Records.

What Types of Marriage Records Are Available in South Carolina?

South Carolina maintains different types of marriage records, including marriage certificates and marriage licenses.

South Carolina Marriage Certificate

A marriage certificate is an official written document created after the wedding. It provides proof that the named parties have been legally wed. The certificate includes key marriage information such as the individuals' full names, the ceremony's date and location, and the officiant's name. Marriage certificates will typically contain the following information:

• Full names of the bride and groom
• Date and location of the marriage ceremony
• Name of the official who oversaw the marriage

South Carolina Marriage License

A South Carolina marriage license is an official document that gives the holders the right to marry in an officiated ceremony within the state. Such documents are issued in the probate court of the respective county. The county clerk is responsible for recording and maintaining marriage licenses as part of the official records. Unlike marriage certificates, which are created after a marriage.

South Carolina marriage licenses are issued before marriage by the probate Court of any county, and in some cases, town offices may also be involved in the process. After receiving a license, the named parties can marry in any ceremony officiated by ministers of the Gospel, Jewish rabbis, or any office authorized to administer oaths in the state. After the ceremony, the appropriate authority officially records the marriage to ensure it is entered into the public record.

Note: A marriage license proves that two parties applied for (and were granted) the right to marry. However, a license offers no proof that the couples are married. They only become legally married after they are married in a legal ceremony.

Are South Carolina Marriage Records Public?

South Carolina marriage records are generally public and can be accessed by anyone. However, the amount of information on a public marriage record is limited compared to protected records. Public marriage records provide general data such as the date, the names of the bride and groom, andthe marriage location. Residents can obtain public records by applying for a statement of marriage from the SC Dept of Health and Environmental Control, whose website provides access to marriage record services. Fees may apply for copies or searches. Records are available from certain years up to the present. Digital images of marriage records may be available for certain years. Requesters seeking more detailed records may need to contact the county probate court where the license was issued.

How to Find Marriage Records in South Carolina

Eligible persons can obtain South Carolina marriage records by following several general steps:

Step 1. Determine when the Marriage occurred

Different agencies maintain marriage records depending on when the union occurred. For instance, you can obtain records of marriages that occurred before July 1950 or after December 2022 by contacting the probate court in the county where the license was issued. In contrast, marriage records filed between July 1950 and December 2022 can be found by applying to the vital records office. If official records are not available, personal records such as family bibles, letters, or other documents can be valuable sources for marriages not found in official archives.

Step 2. Collect Information about the Marriage

To obtain a marriage certificate, applicants must provide some details about the record. Some of the necessary information includes:

• Full name of the bride and groom (first, middle, and last)
• Date when the marriage occured (day, month, and year)
• The location where the license was issued (county)
• Requester’s relationship to the married couple
• Mailing address of the requester
• Requeser’s full name and signature

It is important to provide accurate marriage dates, as this information is essential for locating the correct record.

Step 3. Submit Application to Record Custodian

Members of the public can submit marriage record applications in various ways, depending on the custodial office. For instance, the DHEC processes in-person, mail, and online requests. It also accepts requests made over the phone. In-person requests generally have the shortest processing time, averaging 45 minutes, while mail-in requests average four weeks.

Applications must be submitted in writing to ensure proper documentation. If you are unable to access the application form online, you may submit a written request by mail to the appropriate office.

Applicants must provide a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, military ID card, United States passport, permanent resident card, or refugee travel documents. Record seekers wishing to obtain certified copies must pay a non-refundable search fee ranging from $12 to $17. The search fee covers one certified record (if found). Each additional copy required during the same request will incur an extra cost. Payment can be made by money order or money order payable to the appropriate department and other accepted payment methods.

How to Get a Marriage License in South Carolina

Step 1. Meet the License and Marriage Requirements.

To get a marriage license in South Carolina, applicants will be required to eligibility rules set by the state. They must meet the age of consent, which is 18. Notwithstanding, applicants who are 16 or 17 can still marry, but only with the signed consent of their parents or guardians. Unlike some states, South Carolina has no residency requirements for obtaining a license, but the marriage ceremony shouldd be done within the state. In addition, applicants are also not required to submit to a blood test.

Step 2. Gather the Required Information.

As part of the application process, both parties must provide some personal information that goes into the official record. Some of these include the following:

• Names of both applicants (first, middle, and last)
• Current address
• Marital status (number of previous marriages)
• Name of parents
• Sex, race, and date of birth
• Social security number

Note: Previously married parties are generally advised to provide proof of divorce (such as the divorce decree) during the application.

Step 3. Submit the Application and Pay the Fee.

Both parties will be required to show up in person when applying for a South Carolina marriage license. Applicants between 18 and 25 may also be expected to provide a valid government-issued ID as proof of identity and age. Some acceptable documents include:

• Valid US passport
• Valid South Carolina state ID
• Driver’s license
• Military ID
• Social security card
• A certified copy of the birth certificate

Applications can be submitted at the appropriate department office, such as the county clerk's office, where the clerk will process your application and issue the marriage license.

The cost of a marriage license varies across South Carolina counties, ranging from under $45 to above $75. Depending on the county, acceptable payment options may include cash, credit card, Mastercard, or Visa. In addition, marriage licenses have a general 24-hour waiting period, after which they can be picked up and used for a ceremony in any part of the state. South Carolina licenses also have no expiration period, so couples can opt to get married immediately or later in the year.

Who Can Obtain Marriage Records in South Carolina?

Anyone can obtain marriage records in South Carolina by submitting a request to the custodian. However, certified copies of a marriage certificate can only be obtained by eligible parties. Record seekers are only entitled to obtain certified copies if they are:

• One of the parties named on the record (bride or groom)
• Children of the married couple (and at least 18 years)
• Former spouses
• Legal representative of the couple.

If both spouses are deceased, a marriage record can be obtained by presenting the original death certificates of both spouses along with proper identification and payment.

Applicants who do not fall in any of these categories will be issued marriage statements, which provide general details about the marriage, such as when and where it occurred and the location of the county where the license was issued.

Can You Lookup Online Marriage Records For Free in South Carolina?

Members of the public can look up older marriage records using online genealogical indexes. The relevant department, such as the state or city clerk's office, often provides online lookup services for these records. However, more recent records can only be obtained by paying a fee to the probate court or local vital records office. For in-person requests, individuals may need to visit the appropriate department office to access or request marriage records. Alternatively, record seekers may look up marriage records using free third-party platforms. Such sites provide access to records compiled from multiple jurisdictions while operating as private entities independent of any state government agency. Access to some records may require essential information, such as the subject’s name or marriage location.

Is South Carolina a Common Law State for Marriage?

South Carolina no longer recognizes common law marriages. Although the Palmetto initially recognized such unions, this changed in July 2019, following a Supreme Court ruling that abolished such unions. As of 2024, the state only recognizes unions established before the court ruling.

Common law marriages refer to non-traditional marriages where two people are considered married even though they did not obtain a marriage license or engage in a wedding ceremony. To enter a common law marriage, both parties must meet several key requirements:

• Both parties must live together for an extended period
• Both parties must be legally old enough to marry and be unrelated
• Both parties must indicate their intent to be married (formal or informal)
• Both parties must hold themselves out to friends, family, and the community as married.

Couples in a South Carolina common law marriage are entitled to all the rights of a traditionally married couple, but only if the union occurred before 2019. In addition, the state recognizes the validity of marriages established in other states that permit such unions.

Note: Non-married couples may be able to set some legal rights by entering into a domestic partnership. Couples can use domestic partnership agreements to define cohabitation, visitation, and healthcare rights. However, such arrangements are not the same as a marriage and do not come with all the marriage benefits.