Aiken Marriage License Application Steps
Aiken is a city in Aiken County, South Carolina. Couples who want to marry in Aiken apply for a marriage license at the Aiken County Probate Court. The city does not run its own license office. All requests go through the county court. Both people must show up at the court in person with a valid photo ID and a Social Security number. The court takes cash and credit cards for payment. Office hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. This page covers every step of the process, from the forms you fill out to the rules the state sets for who can wed.
How to Apply in Aiken
Go to the Aiken County Probate Court with your partner. Both of you must be there at the same time. You cannot send one person alone or apply by mail. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport works. You also need your Social Security number.
The court staff will give you a form. Fill it out and sign it at the desk. South Carolina law under Section 20-1-220 requires a 24-hour wait after you turn in the form. You cannot pick up the license on the same day you file it. Plan ahead if your wedding date is close.
After the wait, go back to the Probate Court. Staff will check your ID again and hand you the license. The Aiken marriage license is valid for use at any location in South Carolina.
Aiken Marriage License Rules
State law sets the rules for who can get a license. Both people must be at least 16 years old. If one or both are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign a sworn consent form at the court. The Probate Court will also need a birth certificate or other proof of age for any minor.
South Carolina has no blood test rule. There is no residency rule. You do not have to live in Aiken or in Aiken County to apply. Out-of-state couples can get a license here as long as they meet the basic age and ID rules. If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse. The court needs proof that the old marriage ended before it will issue a new license.
Who Can Officiate in Aiken
Once you have your Aiken marriage license, you still need someone to lead the ceremony. South Carolina law under Section 20-1-20 limits who can do this. Only these people may officiate:
- Ministers of the Gospel
- Jewish rabbis
- Officers allowed to give oaths in South Carolina
- Chief or spiritual leader of a state-recognized Native American Indian group
The person who leads the ceremony signs the marriage certificate. They then return the signed form to the Aiken County Probate Court for recording. The court sends a copy to the state vital records office.
Aiken Marriage License Fees
The state adds a $20 charge to every marriage license fee in South Carolina. This goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375 of the state code. The total cost can vary, so call the Aiken County Probate Court to confirm the current fee. The court takes cash and credit cards. Bring the right form of payment so you do not have to make a second trip.
South Carolina gives a one-time $50 state income tax credit to couples who take a premarital preparation course. The course must be at least six hours long. It must be led by a licensed counselor or an active member of the clergy. Both people take the course together within 12 months before they apply. Bring proof when you visit the court. This credit is in Section 20-1-230 of the state code.
Aiken Marriage Records
The Aiken County Probate Court keeps marriage records on file. If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, contact the court with the names and date on the record. You will need to show a valid photo ID.
The screenshot below is from the Aiken County Government website, which lists departments and court services for residents of Aiken and the rest of Aiken County.
For marriages from July 1950 through December 2023, you can also get a copy from the South Carolina Department of Public Health in Columbia. The state office charges a $12 search fee by mail or $17 for expedited service.
State Vital Records for Aiken
After a wedding in Aiken, the officiant must return the signed certificate to the Aiken County Probate Court. The court records it and sends one copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This step is required under Section 20-1-340 of state law. It keeps a central record of every marriage in the state.
If you are doing family history work, you may find older Aiken County marriage records at the state archives. The South Carolina Judicial Department website lists court contact details for every county. The Aiken County Probate Court can also help you search through their local files for past records.
Common Questions About Aiken
Can you apply online? No. Both people must show up in person at the Aiken County Probate Court. There is no online form. You cannot apply by mail or phone.
Is there a wait? Yes. The 24-hour rule is set by state law. It cannot be waived. Start the process at least one business day before your wedding. The clock starts from the hour the court gets your form.
Does the license work in other states? The license itself is only valid for ceremonies in South Carolina. But a marriage performed under a valid South Carolina license is recognized in all 50 states.
What if you lost your certificate? Request a new certified copy from the Aiken County Probate Court or from the state vital records office. Both offices need a valid photo ID and the names and date on the record.
Aiken County Records
Aiken is in Aiken County. The county Probate Court handles all marriage license requests for every city and town in the county, including the city of Aiken and North Augusta. For a full guide to fees, forms, and rules at the county level, visit the Aiken County marriage license page.