02/05/2026
Thinking about getting married in South Carolina? 💕
As a licensed South Carolina Wedding Officiant and SC Public Notary, I’m often asked what’s legally required to get married. Here’s a simple breakdown of what you need to know before your big day 💍.
Step 1. You need to apply for a Marriage License. Go to the Probate Court in the SC county where you want to marry.
Marriage licenses in South Carolina are issued by the Probate Court either in person or, in some counties, online or by mail.
Step 2.
Bring acceptable identification
You and your partner must provide proof of age and identity. Typical acceptable IDs include:
✔ State driver’s license or state ID
✔ Passport
✔ Military ID
You’ll also need your Social Security card OR an Alien ID / Resident Alien card if you don’t have a Social Security number.
No residency requirement: You do not have to be a South Carolina resident to apply for a SC marriage license.
If you are on a visa, in asylum status, or otherwise undocumented, showing your valid passport with current U.S. visa or resident alien card satisfies the identification requirement meaning your immigration status does not prevent you from applying for the license.
Step 3. Pay the application fee & follow waiting rules
There is a fee to apply (varies by county, e.g., ~ $30–$80).
South Carolina law requires a 24-hour waiting period after the application is submitted before the marriage license can be issued.
Applying in Greenville
$50 for Greenville County residents, $75 for other South Carolina residents, and $115 for out-of-state residents.
For marriage license you can apply in person or online. There office is located in Suite N-T100 of the Probate Court at Greenville County Square, 301 University Ridge, Greenville SC 29601. Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:30 PM. You can contact them at 864-467-7571, 864-467-7468 or email them at [email protected] or
A 24 hour waiting period is required by law between the time the application is completed and filed and the time the license is issued.
Example of good planning: If your wedding is on a Saturday or Sunday, the latest you should begin the process is the Tuesday just prior to your wedding. We suggest you begin the process 2 weeks in advance to allow for any unknowns.
If everything is in order, the office will issue the license. If you selected in person pick up on the worksheet, one of the applicants must show picture ID to pick up the license Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 P.M., exclusive of holidays. It is not necessary for both applicants to be present to pick up the license.
If you are receiving your license by mail, they will mail the license to Applicant one’s address. The license itself consists of 3 identical copies, one for the spouses, one for Probate Court and one for S.C. DHEC.
They give you basically an envelope with the 3 copies ready for you to give to hand to the SC Notary Public or ordained officiant who is going to officiate your ceremony. From there they do the rest.
https://www.greenvillecounty.org/probate/marriagelicense.aspx
