How to Get a Marriage License in South Carolina

Planning to marry in Columbia, Irmo, Lexington, or elsewhere in the Midlands? Your first legal step is a South Carolina marriage license.

You may apply in any South Carolina county and use the license for a ceremony anywhere in this state. You do not have to live in South Carolina, but the ceremony must take place here.

At Love in Carolina Wedding Officiants, we marry all couples with a valid South Carolina marriage license. Our quick, no-hassle Sign & Go ceremonies start at $75.

What to do

  1. Choose a county. Richland County accepts applications online. Lexington County accepts them in person or by mail.
  2. Gather your documents. Each partner needs photo identification and Social Security documentation, as detailed below.
  3. Apply and pay the county fee.
  4. Wait at least 24 hours. South Carolina law requires this waiting period, and the license still has to be mailed or picked up afterward. Apply at least a week before your ceremony whenever possible.
  5. Bring all three copies to your officiant. Do not complete or sign the ceremony certificate before the ceremony unless the court specifically instructed you to do so.
  6. Leave the court filing to your officiant. By law, that is the officiant's responsibility — not yours.

The officiant files the license

South Carolina marriage licenses are issued in triplicate. After the ceremony, the officiant must complete the certificates, give one copy to the couple, and mail or deliver the other two copies to the officer who issued the license within 15 days.

That requirement is in South Carolina Code § 20-1-330. When Pastor Dave performs your ceremony, Love in Carolina takes care of that court delivery so your marriage is properly recorded.

One exception — military couples: if you are being deployed, or your commanding officer needs the document right away, you may take same-day possession of it — the court is alerted that you have it — so you can present it to the court immediately and obtain your certified copy without delay.

Richland County

 

  • Apply: Online only
  • Fee: $45.24 by debit or credit card
  • Bring or upload: A Social Security card and one of these: Department of Transportation-issued ID; Driver's license; Military ID; Passport
  • After the wait: The county mails the license to the address provided
  • Use it promptly: Richland County says the ceremony should take place within six months of issuance

Richland County Probate Court
1701 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 207, Columbia, SC 29201
803-576-1961 · Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Official page: https://www.richlandcountysc.gov/Courts-Safety/Probate-Court/Marriage

Lexington County

  • Apply: In person or by mail
  • In-person applications: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; both partners must appear
  • Fee: $30 by cash, check, or money order
  • Bring: A driver's license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card, plus a Social Security card — or another legal document verifying your name and Social Security number, such as an insurance card, W-2, or 1099
  • After the wait: Either partner may pick up the license; an authorized third party may also pick it up. For mail delivery, provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope when applying

Lexington County Probate Court
205 East Main Street, Suite 134, Lexington, SC 29072
803-785-8324 · General office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Official page: https://lex-co.sc.gov/departments/probate-court/marriage-licenses

Good to know

  • No South Carolina residency is required.
  • No blood test is required.
  • You must be 18 or older to marry without parental consent. Additional rules apply at ages 16 and 17.
  • A previous marriage must be legally ended before you apply.
  • South Carolina does not require witnesses to sign the marriage license, so a simple signing can be just the two of you and Pastor Dave.
  • If either partner lacks a Social Security number or is not a U.S. citizen, contact the Probate Court before applying because the acceptable documents may differ.

Ready to make it official?

Once your license is in hand, call Pastor Dave at 803-638-9969 to schedule your Sign & Go, elopement, or ceremony. We Marry All Couples Here.

County fees and procedures can change. This guide was checked against the official Richland County and Lexington County Probate Court pages and South Carolina Code § 20-1-330 on October 15, 2026. The issuing court's current instructions control.