A marriage license in Richland County, South Carolina, comes from the Probate Court, and the county asks couples to handle the transaction online rather than at a counter in person. The license allows a ceremony; the certificate proves the marriage afterward.
Those are two separate documents, and each has its own request path and its own set of rules to meet. This page follows the process from application to a certified copy, with short notes on the details that most often cause a delay in Richland County.
How to Search Marriage Licenses
The steps below separate the license from the certificate.
- Search the Probate Court marriage index by the names of both applicants.
- Add the year of the ceremony or the license number when you have one.
- Try a maiden name or a prior surname, since a record may use either.
- Ask which years the online index holds before you trust a blank result.
- Request a certified copy from the Probate Court after the ceremony is recorded.
| Detail you have | Search field | What it returns |
|---|---|---|
| Names of both applicants | Applicant name | Matching license entries |
| Ceremony year | Date range | Licenses issued that year |
| License number | License number | The exact record |
| Officiant name | Officiant field | Ceremonies that person signed |
Richland County SC Marriage License Requirements
Both applicants must appear in the application process and meet the state age and identification rules. The county handles marriage-license transactions online, so a couple should expect to upload documents and pay through the portal rather than visit a counter. A previously married applicant usually needs proof that the earlier marriage ended. Read the current checklist on the Probate Court page before you begin the application.
Age Requirements
South Carolina sets a minimum age for marriage and requires parental consent for an applicant under the age of majority. A younger applicant may face a stricter rule or a court review. The Probate Court applies the statute in force on the application date, and the rule can change. Ask the office which proof of age it accepts, such as a birth certificate or a passport.
Identification Requirements
Each applicant should bring a government photo identification that shows the legal name, the date of birth, and a current address. A certified birth certificate may be requested as a second proof. A name that differs from the identification needs a supporting document, such as a marriage record or a court order. Confirm the accepted forms with the Probate Court before you upload a copy.
Application Information
The application asks for each applicant’s full legal name, address, birth date, and Social Security number, along with the parents’ names and birthplaces. The form asks whether either party was married before. Answer every field as it appears on the supporting documents. An incomplete application can be returned, and the couple may need to start over. Keep a copy of the confirmation for your records.
Previous Marriage Information
An applicant who was married before must show how that marriage ended, usually with a divorce decree, a death certificate, or an annulment record. The document should carry a seal or a court stamp and match the name used on the new application. A pending divorce may block a new license until the decree is signed. Ask the Probate Court what proof it accepts for each situation.
Eligibility Requirements
South Carolina does not require a blood test or a residency period for a marriage license, and a couple may apply in the county where they plan to marry. Each applicant must be legally free to marry, which means no prior marriage remains in force and the parties are not close relatives barred by statute. Ask the Probate Court to confirm any rule that applies to your situation.
Marriage License Fees and Validity
The fee is set by state law and collected by the Probate Court, and the amount can change with legislation. A couple should confirm the current charge, the accepted payment methods, and whether the online portal adds a service fee. A license is valid for a limited period and must be used before it expires. The table below separates the cost items from the timing rules, with a reminder to verify each one.
| Item | Set by | Confirm before applying |
|---|---|---|
| License fee | State law | Current amount and portal fee |
| Payment methods | Probate Court | Card, cash, or money order |
| Validity period | State law | Days allowed before the ceremony |
| Expiration | State law | Whether a new license is required |
License Fee
The license fee is a statutory charge, and the Probate Court collects it when the application is accepted. The amount may differ for a couple who completes a qualifying premarital course, so ask whether a reduction applies. Keep the receipt with the license. Do not send cash through the mail, and confirm the current amount with the office rather than relying on an older web page.
Accepted Payment Methods
The online portal usually takes a card, and a counter payment may be limited to cash, a money order, or a certified check. A personal check is often refused. Ask which methods the Probate Court accepts for the license fee and for a certified copy, since the two transactions may use different systems. Keep the payment confirmation and note the last four digits of the card.
Fee Waivers and Discounts
A reduced fee may be available for a couple who completes a recognized premarital education course, and the Probate Court can confirm which programs qualify. A waiver for hardship is rare and depends on the statute in force. Ask for the rule in writing before you pay, and keep the course certificate with the application. Do not assume a discount applies without written confirmation from the office.
Waiting Period
South Carolina imposes a waiting period between the application and the ceremony, and the length is set by statute. The clock usually starts when the application is accepted, not when the couple first inquires. A waiver may be possible in limited cases, such as a scheduled military deployment. Ask the Probate Court how it records the start date and whether the waiting period can be shortened.
License Expiration
A marriage license expires after a set period, and a ceremony held after that date does not create a valid marriage without a new license. The expiration date should appear on the license itself. Check it before the wedding date and again the week of the ceremony. If the date has passed, apply again and pay the current fee rather than altering the original document.
Using and Recording the Marriage License
The license authorizes the ceremony, and the officiant completes it afterward by recording the date, the place, and the names of the witnesses. The signed license then returns to the Probate Court, which enters the marriage into the county record. A couple should not sign as both parties and officiant. Read the instructions printed on the license before the ceremony and confirm the return address.
Authorized Officiant
An officiant must be authorized under South Carolina law, which covers ordained clergy, certain religious officials, and officers named in the statute. A notary public usually cannot perform a valid marriage ceremony in this state. The officiant signs the license and should print a title and a contact detail. Ask the Probate Court to confirm an officiant’s authority before the ceremony when the answer matters.
Marriage Ceremony
The ceremony may be civil or religious, and it must take place after the waiting period and before the license expires. Two witnesses usually sign, though the rule on witnesses should be confirmed with the officiant. The location can be almost anywhere in the state, including a home, a park, or a courthouse. Record the date and the place exactly as they appear on the license.
Completing the License
After the vows, the officiant fills in the date and place of the ceremony, signs the license, and has the witnesses sign. Use a dark pen and print clearly, since a smudged or incomplete line can delay recording. Do not change a preprinted detail; ask the Probate Court for a correction instead. Check every name against the application before the document leaves the ceremony room.
Returning the License
The completed license must go back to the Probate Court within the period stated on the form, and the officiant or the couple may deliver it. Hand delivery avoids a mail delay, and a drop box may be available. Keep a scan or a photo before it leaves your hands. Ask for a receipt or a date stamp so you can show when the office received it.
Recording the Marriage
When the Probate Court receives the signed license, staff review it and enter the marriage into the county record. That entry creates the official marriage record used for later certificate requests. A missing signature or a mismatched name can send the form back for correction. Ask how long the recording step takes, and note the date the office accepted the document so a follow-up has a clear starting point.
Marriage Certificate After the Ceremony
A marriage certificate is a copy of the recorded license, and it proves the marriage took place. A couple may need one for a name change, an insurance policy, or an immigration filing. The certified version carries a seal and is the one an agency usually accepts. An informational copy looks similar but cannot be used for official purposes. Request the certified form when the document will be submitted.
Certified Marriage Certificate
A certified certificate carries the Probate Court’s seal and a signature, and it is the version to send to a government office or a bank. It covers a marriage recorded in Richland County sc, so a ceremony held elsewhere needs a request to that county. Ask for the certified copy by the names of both parties and the marriage date. Check the spelling before you leave the counter.
Informational Copy
An informational copy is marked as such and is intended for genealogy or personal reference rather than an official filing. It may show the same names and dates as a certified copy, yet an agency can refuse it. Ask the clerk to label the request clearly so you receive the right document. If you are unsure which one an office will accept, call that office before you pay.
Certificate Request Methods
A couple can request a certificate in person, by mail, or through the county’s online service when that option exists. A mail request should include the names, the marriage date, a photo identification, and a self-addressed envelope. The online path may need a card and a scanned identification. Confirm which methods the Probate Court currently offers before you mail original documents or pay a fee.
Certificate Fees
The fee for a certified certificate is set by the county or by statute, and it can change. A request for more than one copy may cost less per copy, so ask about the schedule. Payment methods may differ between the counter and the online portal. Confirm the amount and the accepted method with the Probate Court, and keep the receipt with the certified certificate.
Certificate Processing
Processing time depends on the workload at the Probate Court and on how the request arrives. A counter request may be finished during your visit, and a mailed one can take a week or longer. The office may need to pull an older record from a bound volume or a microfilm roll. Ask for an estimated date and a reference number, then follow up after that date passes.
Marriage License Corrections
An error on a marriage license or a certificate can usually be fixed, but the path depends on where the mistake sits. A clerical error by the office may be corrected with a note and a new copy. A wrong name or date supplied by the applicant may need a sworn statement and supporting paper. Ask the Probate Court which route applies before you send documents.
Correcting Applicant Information
A name, a birth date, or an address that was wrong on the application can follow the couple onto the recorded license. Bring the identification that shows the correct detail and a signed statement that describes the difference. The court may require an affidavit rather than a simple letter. Ask whether the correction changes the certificate or only the office file, and request the amended copy in writing.
Correcting Clerical Errors
A clerical error comes from the office rather than from the applicant, such as a transposed digit or a misspelled street name. The Probate Court should correct it without charging the couple a second time, though a copy fee may still apply. Ask for a corrected certificate that shows the change. Keep the flawed copy, since it documents what the office issued and when it was issued.
Supporting Documentation
Supporting paper should match the name and the date on the record, and a photocopy is often enough for review though the office may ask for an original later. A court order, a divorce decree, or a birth certificate can resolve a name difference. Send copies rather than irreplaceable originals. Ask the clerk to list every document the correction needs so the file is complete on the first try.
Amended License or Record
An amended record replaces or supplements the original entry, and the court may issue a new certificate that notes the change. Ask which version an agency will accept, since a lender or a passport office may want the amended copy rather than the first one. Keep both versions in your file. Confirm the fee and the waiting period for an amendment with the Probate Court.
Marriage License Search Problems
A search can fail for reasons that have nothing to do with whether the marriage happened. A name may be misspelled in the index, the ceremony may be recorded under a different county, or the record may still be in a backlog. Work from the license number when you have it, and ask the Probate Court to check the bound volumes and the online index.
License Not Found
A license that does not appear may still exist on paper, especially if the marriage predates the online index. Ask for a manual search by the names of both parties and the year of the ceremony. A license issued in another county will not appear in the Richland County index. Confirm the county where the ceremony took place before you file a written request with the court.
Incorrect Applicant Information
A record can list a nickname, a maiden name, or a spelling that differs from the identification used today. Compare the parents’ names, the birth date, and the address on the application to sort out a similar entry. Ask the Probate Court to read the original image rather than a typed index. A typed index can carry a transcription error that the scanned page does not.
Incorrect License Number
A license number can be mistyped, or an older record may use a book and page reference instead of a number. Check the number against the certificate, the application receipt, and any letter from the court. A leading zero or a transposed pair of digits is a common cause of a failed search. Give the clerk every version you have and ask which format the index expects.
Marriage Not Yet Recorded
A recent ceremony may not appear when the signed license has not reached the court or the recording step is pending. The couple should confirm that the officiant returned the document. A delay of a few weeks is possible during a busy season. Ask the Probate Court whether the license is logged as received, and keep the officiant’s contact detail until the record appears online.
Record Held by Another County
A marriage license is issued in the county where the couple applies, and the record stays there when the couple moves away. A ceremony in a different county does not move the file. Request the certificate from the issuing county, and give that office the names and the marriage date. If you are unsure which county issued it, check the license itself or ask the officiant.
County Contact Information
The offices below support the marriage-license process described on this page. The Probate Court issues the license, records the completed ceremony, and supplies certified copies. The Administration office can answer a question about county services, and the Clerk of Court can supply a certified divorce decree when an earlier marriage must be documented. Public counter hours can vary, so check the current schedule before you travel.
| Office | Address | Phone | Contact | Website | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richland County Probate Court | 1701 Main St, 2nd Floor, Ste 207, Columbia, SC 29201 | 803-576-1961 | Official contact form | richlandcountysc.gov | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Richland County Administration and Public Information | 2020 Hampton St, Columbia, SC 29204 | 803-576-2050 | Official contact form | richlandcountysc.gov | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Richland County Clerk of Court | 1701 Main St, Room 205, Columbia, SC 29201 | 803-576-1950 | Official contact form | richlandcountysc.gov | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. |
Have both names, the marriage date, and the license or certificate number ready before you call. Ask which office holds the record and whether the ceremony was recorded in Richland County. A clerk can describe the fee, the identification rule, and the current processing time. Confirm the mailing address before you send original documents, and keep a copy of everything you submit to the court.
Common Questions About Marriage Licenses
These notes answer the questions that come up most often before a wedding and after the ceremony. They cover the application, the fee, the waiting period, and the certificate request. Rules can change between sessions of the legislature, so confirm the current practice with the Probate Court. The contact table near the end lists the offices in Richland County that can settle a specific case.
How Do I Search Richland County SC Marriage Licenses?
Start with the Richland County Probate Court’s marriage index and enter both names and the ceremony year. If the online index does not return a match, ask for a manual search of the bound volumes. A license issued in another county will not appear in this index. Confirm the county of the ceremony and have the license number ready when you call the Probate Court office.
What Are the Requirements for a Richland County SC Marriage License?
Each applicant needs a government photo identification, proof of age, and proof that any earlier marriage has ended. The couple applies through the county’s online process and pays the statutory fee. A previously married applicant should have the divorce decree or the death certificate ready to upload. Ask the Probate Court which documents it accepts before the appointment or the online session. Keep scanned copies ready.
How Much Does a Marriage License Cost?
The license fee is set by state law, and the Probate Court collects it with the application. A couple who completes a qualifying premarital course may pay a reduced amount. The online portal may add a card-processing charge. Ask the office for the current total before you submit payment, and keep the receipt with the license. Do not rely on a fee quoted in an older article.
How Long Is a Marriage License Valid?
A license remains valid for a limited period set by statute, and the expiration date is printed on the document. The ceremony must occur after the waiting period and before that date. A license that expires needs a new application and a new fee. Ask the Probate Court how it counts the days when a weekend or a holiday falls inside the valid date window.
How Do I Get a Marriage Certificate?
Request a certified copy from the Probate Court in the county that issued the license. Give both names, the marriage date, and a photo identification, and say that you need the certified version. State the purpose, such as a name change or an insurance claim. A mail request should include a self-addressed envelope. Confirm the fee and the processing time before you send anything, and keep a copy of the request in your file.
How Can I Correct a Marriage License Error?
Ask the Probate Court which kind of error you have, since a clerical mistake by the office follows a shorter path than a wrong detail supplied by an applicant. Bring the certificate, a photo identification, and a document that proves the correct fact to the counter. A sworn statement may be required. Request the corrected copy in writing and ask whether the fee is waived.