Where to Get a Marriage License in Charleston County
100 Broad Street, Suite 143, Charleston, SC 29401 — Charleston County Probate Court. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM.
Charleston County is South Carolina's second most populous county and one of the top wedding destinations in the American South. Historic downtown Charleston — with its antebellum architecture, Rainbow Row, and Battery Park — hosts thousands of weddings annually. The county probate court processes a significant proportion of applications from out-of-state destination couples.
Fee — $25
Charleston County's fee is $25 — one of the lowest for a major wedding destination market in the country. South Carolina's 1-year validity window is excellent for advance planning.
Accepted payment at most South Carolina county offices: cash, credit/debit card, money order. Personal checks are generally not accepted. Call the office to confirm current payment options before your visit.
Required Documents — Bring These
Both applicants must appear together in person and each bring:
- Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID: Driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or equivalent. Foreign passports accepted.
- Social Security Number: Required on the application for both parties. Physical card not required — just know the number. Non-U.S. citizens without an SSN write "None."
- Prior marriage information: Date and state where prior marriage ended (divorce date or death of spouse). For divorces finalized within the past 6 months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree.
Government office hours, appointment policies, and accepted payment methods can change without public notice. A 2-minute phone call the day before your visit prevents wasted trips. The office number is available on the Charleston County government website.
Waiting Period — 24 hrs (residents only)
South Carolina's 24-hour waiting period is automatically waived for non-SC residents — no court order needed. Most destination couples applying in Charleston face no waiting period. Simply indicate your out-of-state address on the application.
Use our Wedding Date Planner to calculate the exact window for applying based on your ceremony date and South Carolina's waiting period and validity rules.
License Validity — 1 year
Your Charleston County marriage license is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. It is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in South Carolina. Do not apply too far in advance — if the license expires before your ceremony, you must reapply and pay the fee again. Use our expiration calculator to track your exact window.
After the Ceremony
Your officiant must sign and return the completed marriage license to the Charleston County issuing office within the timeframe required by South Carolina law (typically 10–30 days after the ceremony). After recording, certified copies of the marriage certificate are available for $12.00 each. Order at least 4–6 certified copies — you will need them for name changes at the Social Security Administration, DMV, passport agency, and financial institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. South Carolina requires both applicants to appear together in person to apply for a marriage license. Both must present valid photo ID and provide their Social Security numbers. There are very limited exceptions for active military deployment in some states — contact the office directly if one party cannot appear.
Yes. South Carolina has no residency requirement for marriage license applicants. The license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in South Carolina, regardless of where you live. Out-of-state ID is accepted.
Order at least 4–6 certified copies when you're at the office (or request them after recording). You will need one each for: Social Security Administration name change, state DMV name change, passport name change, and potentially one or two more for banks, insurance companies, or professional licensing boards. Ordering multiple copies at once is far more efficient than reordering individually later.
An expired marriage license cannot be used. If your ceremony is delayed beyond the validity window, you must return to the Charleston County office, reapply, and pay the $25 fee again. There is no extension process. Use the expiration calculator to track your deadline.
Planning Your Visit to the County Probate Court
The County Probate Court handles marriage license applications for Charleston County. South Carolina's 1-year validity and low fee make it an excellent choice for destination weddings. The non-resident waiting period waiver is automatic.
South Carolina's 24-hour waiting period applies only to South Carolina residents. Non-residents receive the license and can marry immediately. The $25 fee is one of the lowest for a major coastal wedding destination.
Step-by-Step: Application to Certified Copies
Here is the complete sequence for a Charleston County marriage license, from the day you apply through receiving certified copies for name changes:
- Gather documents: Both parties need valid, unexpired photo IDs and their Social Security numbers. If either party has been previously married, have the divorce date and state ready (bring a certified decree if divorced within the past 6 months).
- Visit the office: Both parties appear together at the County Probate Court. The application takes 15–25 minutes. Pay the $25 fee.
- License issued: You receive a physical paper marriage license. Keep it safe — it is the document your officiant will sign after the ceremony.
- Waiting period: 24 hours (residents only) from the moment of issuance. Plan your ceremony date accordingly.
- Ceremony anywhere in South Carolina: Your license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in South Carolina within the 1 year validity window. Your officiant signs immediately after the ceremony.
- Return the license: The signed license must be returned to the issuing office within the timeframe required by South Carolina law (typically 10–30 days). Confirm responsibility — you or your officiant.
- Order certified copies: After the marriage is recorded (2–4 weeks post-ceremony), order certified copies from the County Probate Court or through VitalChek. Order at least 4–6 copies at once.
- Name changes: Use certified copies for Social Security, DMV, passport, and financial accounts. Start with Social Security first — other agencies verify against SSA records. See our name change guide for the complete sequence.
Use our Wedding Date Planner to calculate the exact window for applying in South Carolina. Download the Day-Of Checklist PDF to bring to your appointment. Use the Cost Calculator to estimate your total expenses including certified copies and name change fees.