South Carolina Marriage Records

South Carolina began maintaining county-level marriage records in 1911, managed by the local probate court. However, statewide centralized record-keeping for marriages commenced in July 1950. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that South Carolina's marriage rate is at par with the national average at 6.2 marriages per 1,000 people.

Marriage records in South Carolina are legal documents that validate marital unions. South Carolina's marriage records encompass two primary documents:

• Marriage License: A marriage license issued by the county probate court authorizes two people to get married. Marriage licenses, issued before the wedding, contain detailed information about the people getting married. Typically, it includes the names, addresses, and birth dates of both applicants. In addition, marriage licenses contain parental information, previous marital history, issued date, and license expiry date. A marriage license is required to conduct a legally binding wedding in South Carolina.
• Marriage Certificates: A marriage certificate is a document created after the wedding, certifying the marriage's legality. Usually, after the wedding ceremony, the officiant completes the certificate portion of the marriage license and returns it to the probate court for official recording. Once recorded, the marriage certificate is issued to the couple. The marriage certificate typically contains the spouse's name, wedding date and location, officiant's information, registration number, and the signature of the issuing authority.

Marriage records in South Carolina may also be certified or Informational. Certified marriage records bear a raised seal or stamp, validating the record's authenticity. It is valid for various administrative, legal, and genealogical purposes. Informational copies of marriage certificates provide basic details about the marriage. However, it lacks the official seal and is usually marked "Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity". Informational copies of birth records are ideal for genealogical researchers and personal use rather than to prove legal identity.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, you can access marriage records from two entities:

• The South Carolina Department of Public Health Vital Records Section holds marriage records from July 1950 to December 2023.
• The county probate court issues certified copies of marriage records before July 1950 and after December 2023

To access marriage records from the State Vital Records Division, fill out the Vital Records Marriage Application form. Include all relevant information and supporting documents, and mail the request to:

Marriage records before July 1950 and after December 2023 are also accessible at the county probate court where the marriage license was issued. Download the application form from the county's website or visit the county probate court to obtain the form. Some counties allow online applications for certified marriage records. You may also order the record in person or by mail.

Generally, whether applying for the document at the state's Vital Records Section or at the county probate court, all requests for certified marriage records may include the following:

• Full names of both spouses
• Date and county of marriage
• Proof of eligibility to obtain the marriage record
• Valid photo ID
• The fees

Are Marriage Records Public in South Carolina?

Yes. Marriage records are public records in South Carolina and are accessible to anyone. However, accessibility depends on the type of record. Certified copies of marriage records are restricted to persons who can show a direct and tangible interest in the record. Per state law, only the spouses, immediate family members, legal representatives, or authorized entities may obtain certified marriage records. Informational copies of marriage records, on the other hand, are open to the public for inspection, viewing, and copying.

How Much Do South Carolina Marriage Records Cost?

It costs $12 to obtain certified copies of marriage records from the state Vital Records Section. Additional copies of the record cost $3 each. If you need the document faster, you may pay an additional $5 to expedite the record request. However, expedited requests are only offered at the State Vital Records office in Richland County.

The cost to obtain certified copies of a marriage certificate from the county probate court varies by county. Expect to pay between $5 to $11.50 to obtain certified marriage records. Most counties do not provide expedited services. However, if you need the document faster, you can walk into the county probate clerk's office to order the record. In-person requests are typically processed within a few hours.

The average processing time for marriage records from the state Vital Records Section is 30 - 45 minutes for in-person requests, 4 weeks for mail requests, and 5 business days for expedited requests. Most counties have varying processing times for marriage record requests. However, they all offer the same-day service for walk-in requesters.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in South Carolina?

No. You cannot make your marriage record confidential in South Carolina. A confidential marriage license and the certificate issued thereafter is a special record that remains off-limits to the general public. Members of the public cannot obtain informational copies of marriage records. South Carolina does not have a provision for couples to obtain confidential marriage licenses. Similarly, while some jurisdictions permit sealing marriage records, South Carolina does not offer a mechanism to seal marriage records.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of South Carolina Marriage Records?

Verifying the authenticity of a South Carolina marriage record ensures that the document you possess is genuine and legally recognized. Whether you need to travel, obtain tax or insurance benefits, establish that you are a valid heir, change your name, initiate divorce proceedings, or trace your family's history, having an authenticated marriage record is essential.

You may verify the authenticity of your South Carolina marriage certificate at the State Vital Records Section or the county probate court, depending on when you got married. A genuine certified marriage record contains key features to ensure its authenticity and prevent fraud. Generally, certified marriage records include a certificate number, officiant signature, and an embossed or raised seal of the issuing office, attesting to the record's authenticity.

Can I Find South Carolina Marriage Records Online for Free?

While South Carolina's official marriage certificates and licenses must be obtained from government agencies for a fee, non-governmental online resources offer free access to indexes of both early and more recent South Carolina marriages.

FamilySearch.org is a free genealogy site that contains indexes of South Carolina marriage records from 1641 - 1965. You can create a free account and browse the database by surname or county.

Although the South Carolina Department of Archives and History (SCDAH) is a government agency resource, its online records index lets you search for historic vital records, including marriage license registers on microfilm, at no cost.

Ancestry.com hosts indexes of South Carolina marriage records collated from newspapers, pension files, church records, and county registers. You may subscribe to use this service. You may check with your public library. They offer free in-library access to Ancestry.com records.

Websites like PublicRecords.us compile marriage record data from government sources. They offer access to current and genealogical marriage records and are a great resource to begin your free search for South Carolina marriage records.

What Is Required to Get a South Carolina Marriage License?

Obtaining a marriage license is a legal precondition for getting married in South Carolina. However, to obtain the license, both parties intending to tie the knot must meet and fulfill certain legal requirements, including:

• Applicants must be 18 years and older
• Minors between 16 - 17 years old may marry only with parental or guardian consent
• Applicants must come together at the county probate office
• Both parties must present a valid government-issued ID
• A divorce decree or death certificate if either party was previously married
• The stipulated fees

The cost of marriage licenses varies across counties. Some counties charge $30 for the license, while others charge up to $75. Expect to pay something between that range. There is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period from filing your application until you pick up the license. Marriage licenses are valid for 6 months from issuance. If not used within the period, the license expires, and the couple must repeat the process to obtain a new marriage license.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in South Carolina?

Yes. In South Carolina, marriage records, including licenses and certificates, can be amended to correct errors. The state permits amendments to correct clerical errors or factual inaccuracies made during the original registration. They include:

• Typographical Errors: Misspelled names of spouses, parents, or officiants, incorrect dates, and wrong locations
• Omissions: Missing or incorrect middle initials, errors in marital status, and mistakes in officiant credentials or license numbers
• Legal Name Changes: Name changes that do not alter the original certificate

Amending South Carolina Marriage License

If you identify an error on your marriage license before the ceremony, it is essential to address it promptly to ensure the validity of your marriage and to avoid complications when obtaining your marriage certificates in the future.

Contact the issuing county probate court. You may fill out a correction form provided by the county probate clerk's office. Detail the error and provide the correct information. Include documents to substantiate the correction. Depending on the county, you may incur costs to amend your marriage license. Expect to pay up to $10 to have the record amended.

Amending the South Carolina Marriage Certificate

You may promptly correct errors on your marriage certificate to ensure its validity for legal, personal, and administrative purposes. To amend your marriage certificate. Contact the South Carolina Department of Public Health Vital Records Section or the county probate court to request the appropriate amendment form.

Fill out the form detailing the error and the correct information. Provide supporting documentation that verifies the right information, such as a birth certificate or government-issued ID. Mail or deliver the completed application. There is a $15 fee to amend marriage records.