What Are South Carolina Marriage Records?

South Carolina marriage records are official documents that provide information about a marriage, including details such as the names of the couple, their ages, the date and place of the marriage, and the officiant. These records are maintained by various authorities across the state and have been kept since 1911.

In South Carolina, there are two main types of marriage records: marriage licenses and marriage certificates.

Per the South Carolina Code of Laws Section 20-1-210, a marriage license is a requirement for every marital union. It is issued by the county clerk's office to authorize couples to be legally married. After the ceremony, the couple receives an official marriage certificate.

These records facilitate the legal process of marriage and serve as valuable data sources for tracking marriage trends across the state. On a personal level, marriage records validate couples' unions and facilitate spousal benefits and name changes.

Are Marriage Certificates Public Records?

Marriage certificates are generally open to the public based on the SC Code of Laws Section 30 Chapter 4 (Public Records), also known as the Freedom of Information Act.

Although marriage records are considered public documents, there are limitations on what information the public can access and restrictions on who is authorized to obtain certain details.

When marriage records are requested, the following sensitive details are redacted to ensure privacy:

• Social Security numbers
• Complete dates of birth
• Detailed residential addresses
• Phone numbers
• Email addresses

Access to the full, unredacted marriage records is restricted to specific individuals who have a direct relationship with the couple or a legal reason for accessing the information. Those authorized to view the complete records include:

• The bride or groom
• Children of the couple
• Present or former spouse
• Legal representatives

How To Look Up Marriage Records in South Carolina?

South Carolina marriage records from 1950 to 2023 are available through the Division of Vital Records and office locations of the Department of Public Health (DPH). For marriages that occurred before 1950 or after 2023, individuals may need to visit the probate court where the marriage was officiated or registered.

When requesting marriage records, the following information is required:

• Full names of the couple
• Date of marriage
• Place of marriage
• Requestor's valid identification (e.g., driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport)
• Proof of relationship to the married couple
• Requestor's mailing address

Marriage record requests can be made through multiple channels to accommodate different needs and preferences:

• Online
• By mail
• In-person
• Drop-off service

Fees for marriage record requests typically include a non-refundable search fee and additional charges for extra copies. Processing times vary by method: online requests are faster, mail requests may take a few weeks, and in-person requests are often same-day. Payment options include credit cards, checks, or money orders, depending on the service.

How To Search Marriage Certificates?

South Carolina issues two types of marriage certificates:

• Certified Copy: A certified copy is a legal document with a raised seal, usually used for legal purposes like name changes, insurance claims, or immigration. It is only available for authorized individuals such as couples, immediate family members, or legal representatives.
• Informational Copy: An informational copy is usually used for research or informational purposes and lacks a raised seal. Anyone can request it after providing basic information and paying applicable fees. However, this copy cannot be used in legal proceedings.

To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate in South Carolina, individuals can do any of the following:

Online

Individuals can use VitalChek, an accredited provider in South Carolina, for online requests. The provider also accepts requests through the phone. However, authorized persons are only allowed to make requests through the provider.

This provider uses the expedited search fee. In addition to the search fee, a service fee applies when individuals request VitalCheck.

In-Person

For the in-person method, here's where to go:

When opting for this option, individuals should be ready with their completed Vital Records Marriage/Divorce Application form, preferred payment method, and identification documents. On days when the office is not busy, in-person requests take 30-45 minutes to complete.

Although the request can be completed on the same day, some circumstances, such as corrections and amendments, may not warrant a fast turnaround.

Note that the DPH State Vital Records Office often experiences high-volume requests during Fridays, Mondays, and lunch breaks. Thus, individuals may opt to choose other days of the week or request records through other means.

In addition to visiting the DPH State Vital Records Office, individuals can visit any DPH office location or the appropriate probate court to obtain certified copies of marriage certificates.

By Mail

Individuals can send an application by mail to the Division of Vital Records. To avoid a rejected application, they should do the following steps:

• Fill out the required Vital Records Marriage/Divorce Application form properly
• Attach a proof of identification and payment through money order. Cash payment is not accepted through mail requests.
• Send the request application to the address below:
• Requests usually take 4 weeks to receive results and will be mailed.

Drop-off

This method is only applicable to the state office located in Richland County. Individuals must follow these steps to obtain marriage records:

• Complete an application form.
• Prepare a proof of identification.
• Drop off a request application to the Richland County office.
• Pay the necessary fees and get proof of receipt.
• Requesters may opt for pick up or mail to get results, which may take 4 weeks.

The applicable fees for requesting records from the DPH State Vital Records Office start at $12 per search and $17 for expedited search requests. Requesters need to pay $3 for every additional copy of the same record.

Note that the fees are non-refundable whether the search yields confirmatory results or not. For bulk requests, individuals may have to contact the DPH Vital Records at (803) 898-3630.

How To Search Marriage Licenses?

South Carolina marriage licenses are kept by the probate court in the county where the marriage was filed. Steps for obtaining an official copy of a marriage license include as follows:

• Meet the requirements
• Gather required information
• Submit the request application and pay the fee

Some probate county courts, such as Richland County and Greenville County, offer online searches for marriage licenses. Individuals should check with their respective county probate court to confirm if online search services are available.

How To Search Marriage Records Online?

Aside from the VitalChek offered by the DPH State Vital Records Office and the online services that some probate courts in the state provide, individuals have several options when searching for marriage records online.

One option is to use third-party providers, such as RecordsFinder. These services typically require complete names of the couple and may charge processing fees to obtain the records.

For those conducting genealogical research, genealogy websites can also serve as valuable resources. These platforms often provide access to historical marriage records, family trees, and other archival materials to assist in tracing ancestry.

Another reliable source is the Electronic Records of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History (SCDAH). The SCDAH provides access to marriage records, particularly those registered before 1911 or records that are more than 100 years old.

When Can You Access Confidential Marriage Records?

Confidential marriage occurs when the couple wants to keep it private and sealed from public access. Only the officiant and the couple are present during the ceremony, which is not recorded in public records. The reasons for this may differ between couples, such as privacy, cultural reasons, or other reasons.

However, South Carolina doesn't allow confidential marriages. All marriages are public records and are accessible upon request. Still, sensitive information, such as the registrants' Social Security numbers, is not divulged.

Although SC doesn't recognize confidential marriages, the state allows spousal privilege under the SC Code of Laws, Section 19-11-30.

This law protects confidential and private communication between spouses. With this law, a spouse can opt not to testify against their partner during legal proceedings. They can exercise this privilege as long as the union is valid during private or confidential communication.

However, this privilege becomes invalid when proceedings involve child abuse or any criminal acts against a minor.

How Do You Apply for a Marriage License?

To apply for a marriage license in South Carolina, applicants must visit the probate court in the county where they intend to get married. Applicants must be 18 years or older to apply independently. Minors aged 16 to 17 may apply with signed parental or guardian consent.

Counties, such as Spartanburg County, may require proof of age for applicants between 18 and 24. Acceptable proof of age includes a certified birth certificate or government-issued ID that displays the applicant's date of birth. Additionally, applicants must provide their Social Security number during the application process.

The application fees for a marriage license vary by county but generally start at $45. Applicants are encouraged to check with their local probate court for specific fee requirements and additional guidelines.

Once the application is validated, marriage licenses are typically issued after 24 hours. However, regardless of the circumstances, licenses will not be issued sooner than the state-mandated waiting period.

Marriage licenses in South Carolina are valid for 60 days. After the wedding ceremony, the license must be returned to the issuing office or county clerk's office with the officiant's signature to register and legalize the marriage officially.

If a couple fails to get married within 60 days, they must reapply for a new license and pay the application fees again, as there are no extensions or renewals for expired licenses.

Note that proxy marriages are not permitted in South Carolina. Thus, both parties must be physically present during the marriage license application and ceremony.

How Do I Correct a Mistake on My Marriage Certificate?

Errors on marriage licenses or certificates, such as misspelled names, incorrect dates, or inaccurate personal details, can occasionally occur. When this happens, individuals must follow the appropriate steps to request a correction.

The first step is to contact or visit the probate court where the marriage was originally registered.

Then, individuals complete an "Affidavit of Correction to Marriage Record" or a similar document. They must provide supporting evidence, such as identification documents or legal records, to verify the accuracy of the corrected information.

Since this is a legal affidavit, the document must be notarized before submission to the probate court.

Are Marriage Records Under the South Carolina Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) Accessible?

Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) protects the victims of domestic violence, sexual offenses, stalking, or human trafficking. It gives couples a chance to hide their actual addresses and provide a substitute address in public records.

Unfortunately, South Carolina doesn't have an ACP at the moment. Several bills have been introduced in the South Carolina legislature to establish an ACP, but they were never approved. For instance, House Bill 3311 was introduced in 2019 but did not advance.

Without an ACP, individuals who want to protect their address information in marriage records can:

• Request redaction of certain personal information when possible.
• Work with court officials to minimize the exposure of sensitive details.
• Utilize legal services to help protect their privacy rights.
• Consider filing marriages in counties away from their residence when legally permissible.

If the publicly available marriage records become restricted, in most cases, it will only be accessed through a court order.

South Carolina Marriage Statistics and Trends

In the U.S., 53% of adults are married, a decrease from 58% in 1995, while the percentage of adults cohabiting has risen from 3% in 1995 to 7% today. Marriage rates also show significant variation across racial groups.

Asian Americans have the highest marriage rate at 63%, followed by white adults at 57%, Hispanic adults at 48%, and Black adults at 33%. These rates have declined since 1995.

In South Carolina, these are the current marriage trends and statistics:

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