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Marriage Laws United States South Carolina Wedding Officiants

South Carolina laws concerning marriage provisions

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Marriage license Laws in the state of South Carolina, here is what you need to bring with you, and what you need to know about the South Carolina marriage laws before filling out the South Carolina marriage license form.

In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. This is the document in your state that allows you to officially tie the knot under the law. The rules for acquiring your marriage license varies from state to state, so you should check with your city's marriage bureau at your clerk of court's office to find out what your local rules are.

You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least one month before your wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth certificates, tax information, and other official documents. You don't, however, want to apply for your marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses do expire, if you don't get married within a few months.

When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, but you'll need to apply for the certificate together, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, and will need to pay a nominal fee. You will also need to have a witness when you sign the application, so plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to write that name on the application.

And, believe it or not, just because you have your marriage license sent to you in the mail does not mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your chaplain your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation.

ID Requirement: Drivers License and Social Security number.

Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of South Carolina.

If previously married: No proof of divorce is required.

Application Requirement: Both parties to a marriage should appear in person at the office of a South Carolina County Probate Judge and file a written application. This application asks for the full name, social security number, age, and place of residence of both the bride and the groom. It is a sworn statement that must be signed by both the bride and the groom and notarized in the office of the Probate Judge.

Fees: Application Fee $45 - Cash Only.

Waiting Period: There is a 24-hour waiting period after the application is filed before the license can be picked up and the marriage can take place. If you want to get married on a weekend, make sure you apply for a marriage license by Thursday so you can pick up your license by Friday.

Blood Tests: No blood test or physical exam is required.

Under 18: If you are under the age of 18, parental consent can be granted for boys who are at least 16 years old and for girls who are at least 14 years old. All minor applicants must file an original birth certificate or a certified copy of their birth certificate, which becomes a part of their permanent application record. The parent or legal guardian of a minor applicant must appear at the same time as the minor to present identification and sign a form consenting to the marriage.

If you are 18 years old or older, you do not need parental consent. But you must provide proof of your age (or simply identification if you're over age 25) by presenting one of the following:

•  Valid driver's license;

•  Original birth certificate or a certified copy of your birth certificate;

•  Valid South Carolina identification card issued by the South Carolina Department of     Public Safety;

•  Current military identification card;

•  Current passport.

Proxy Marriages: No. Both parties must be present.

Common Law Marriage: Yes, and both parties must be at least 16 years of age to marry.

Cousin Marriage: Yes. First cousin.

Same Sex Marriage: No.

Officiants: Ministers of the gospel who are authorized to administer oaths in this state may perform marriages. Ministers must complete the marriage license and give one copy to the parties and the other two must be returned to the county judge of probate who issued it within 15 days after the marriage.

Valid: There is no expiration date for a South Carolina marriage license.
The license can only be used within the State of South Carolina.

Copy of Certificate of Marriage:

Office of Public Health Statistics and Information Systems
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630

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South Carolina Clerk's Office

Abbeville County Abbeville, SC 864.459.4023 Aiken County Aiken, SC 803.642.2000 Allendale County Allendale, SC 803.584.3157 Anderson County Anderson, SC 864.260.4049 Bamberg County Bamberg, SC 803.245.3008 Barnwell County Barnwell, SC 803.541.1031 Beaufort County Beaufort, SC 843.470.5319 Berkeley County Moncks Corner, SC 843.761.6900 Calhoun County St. Matthews, SC 803.874.3514 Charleston County Charleston, SC 843.740.5890 Cherokee County Gaffney, SC 864.487.2584 Chester County Chester, SC 803.385.2604 Chesterfield County Chesterfield, SC 843.623.2376 Clarendon County Manning, SC 803.435.8774 Colleton County Walterboro, SC 843.549.7216 Darlington County Darlington, SC 843.398.4310

Dillon County Dillon, SC 843.774.1423 Dorchester County St. George, SC 843.563.0136 Edgefield County Edgefield, SC 803.637.4076 Fairfield County Winnsboro, SC 803.712.6519 Florence County Florence, SC 843.665.3085 Georgetown County Georgetown, SC 843.527.6325 Greenville County Greenville, SC 864.467.7170 Greenwood County Greenwood, SC 864.942.8625 Hampton County Hampton, SC 803.943.7512 Horry County Conway, SC 843.248.1294 Jasper County Ridgeland, SC 843.726.7718 Kershaw County Camden, SC 803.425.1500 Lancaster County Lancaster, SC 803.283.3379 Laurens County Laurens, SC 864.984.7315 Lee County Bishopville, SC 803.484.5341 Lexington County Lexington, SC 803.359.8324

Marlboro County Bennettsville, SC 843.479.5610 Marion County Marion, SC 843.423.8244 McCormick County McCormick, SC 864.465.2630 Newberry County Newberry, SC 803.321.2118 Oconee County Walhalla, SC 864.638.4275 Orangeburg County Orangeburg, SC 803.533.6280 Pickens County Pickens, SC 864.898.5903 Richland County Columbia, SC 803.748.4700 Saluda County Saluda, SC 864.445.7110 Spartanburg County Spartanburg, SC 864.596.2556 Sumter County Sumter, SC 803.436.2166 Union County Union, SC 864.429.1625 Williamsburg County Kingstree, SC 843.354.6655 York County York, SC 803.684.8513

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