LET'S MAKE THE PAPERWORK THE EASY PART

Getting married in South Carolina is exciting. Figuring out the marriage license? Maybe not so much.

The good news is that the process is pretty straightforward once you know what to expect—and we're here to help you understand the steps before your big day.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENT

South Carolina does not have a residency requirement for marriage licenses.

That means you can live in New York, Georgia, Texas, Ohio—or anywhere else—and still obtain a South Carolina marriage license and get married here.

And here's another helpful tip: You don't have to apply for your license in the county where you're getting married.

Your marriage license is issued by a South Carolina county Probate Court, but you can use that South Carolina marriage license to get married anywhere in the state. So if you're planning a Charleston elopement or destination wedding, you have options.

THE 24-HOUR WAITING PERIOD

South Carolina has a 24-hour waiting period before your marriage license can be issued.

That means you cannot apply today and get married an hour later. Plan ahead!

The good news? You don't necessarily have to spend your waiting period sitting around Charleston waiting for paperwork. Several South Carolina counties now offer online or remote application options.

SOME COUNTIES MAKE APPLYING ESPECIALLY EASY

As of 2026, Berkeley, Dorchester, and Richland Counties offer online-only marriage-license application processes.

Other counties offer online applications with additional steps, mail-in options, or require an in-person visit. The process is not identical in every county.

That's why we recommend checking the requirements of the Probate Court you choose before you begin your application.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

While individual county requirements can vary, applicants should generally be prepared to provide identification and proof of Social Security information.

IDENTIFICATION

A valid form of identification may include:

• Valid driver's license
• State-issued identification card
• Military identification
• Valid passport
• Original or certified birth certificate, where accepted by the issuing Probate Court

Important: Not every county accepts every form of identification in every circumstance. Check with the Probate Court issuing your license before applying.

PROOF OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

Depending on the county, acceptable documentation may include:

• Social Security card
• W-2 or other tax document showing your name and Social Security number
• Tax return showing your name and Social Security number

Again, requirements can vary by county, so make sure you know what your issuing Probate Court requires before submitting your application.

NOT A U.S. CITIZEN?

That's okay! South Carolina does not require you to be a U.S. citizen to get married here.

Non-U.S. citizens may be required to provide a valid passport and/or current visa or other immigration documentation, depending on the issuing county's requirements.

If this applies to you, we strongly recommend confirming the exact documentation required with the Probate Court before submitting your application.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU APPLY?

Once your application is complete, your required documentation has been submitted, and your fees have been paid, the 24-hour waiting period begins according to the issuing Probate Court's process.

Once the license is issued, follow the instructions provided by that Probate Court for receiving and handling your marriage license.

THEN IT'S TIME FOR THE FUN PART

You get married!

On your wedding day, you and your partner will sign the appropriate portions of the marriage license, along with your South Carolina-authorized wedding officiant.

Your officiant then completes the ceremony portion of the license and returns the required copies to the Probate Court that issued the license.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE CEREMONY?

This is an important one: Don't assume the couple is responsible for mailing the license back.

South Carolina law places responsibilities on the person who performed the marriage ceremony, and the specific return instructions can vary depending on the issuing Probate Court. In general, the completed license must be returned to the Probate Court that issued it within the required timeframe—currently 15 days from the ceremony.

Your officiant should follow the return instructions provided by the issuing Probate Court.

AND THEN?

Once the marriage has been properly recorded, you can request a certified copy of your marriage certificate through the appropriate records office.

That certified copy is the document you'll typically need when you're ready to handle things like:

• Social Security name changes
• Driver's license or name changes
• Updating financial accounts
• Insurance
• Employer records
• Other legal or personal records

If you've received a Keepsake Marriage Certificate from Holy City Officiating, it was created to commemorate your wedding day and give you something beautiful to keep and display.

It is not a government-issued marriage certificate and does not replace your official marriage record.

ONE LAST THING BEFORE YOU APPLY

Marriage-license procedures, fees, acceptable documentation, online systems, and processing times can change—and they aren't identical across all 46 South Carolina counties. Before you submit your application, check the current requirements of the Probate Court issuing your license.

And if you're getting married with Holy City Officiating, we're happy to help you understand the process and point you toward the information you'll need. Because you have enough to think about when you're planning a wedding.

The paperwork shouldn't have to be the thing that stresses you out.

READY TO GET MARRIED IN THE HOLY CITY?

Let's make the ceremony the easy part, too.