Anderson Marriage License Records
Anderson is a city in Anderson County, South Carolina. Couples who live in Anderson or plan to wed here apply for a marriage license at the Anderson County Probate Court. The city does not issue marriage licenses on its own. All license work goes through the county Probate Court. Both people must show up in person with a valid photo ID and proof of their Social Security number. The court accepts cash and credit card for the fee. Once you have the license in hand, it is good for use at any spot in South Carolina. Staff at the court can answer your questions and walk you through each step of the form.
How to Apply in Anderson
Go to the Anderson County Probate Court in person. Both people must be there at the same time. You cannot send one person alone or apply by mail or phone.
Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport works. You also need proof of your Social Security number. A Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a tax return that shows the full number will do. The court staff will give you a form to fill out. Both of you sign it at the office.
South Carolina law requires a 24-hour wait after you file the form. You cannot pick up the license on the same day. Under Section 20-1-220 of the state code, the court must hold your form for one full day before it can hand you the license. Plan ahead if your wedding date is close. Come back the next day to get it.
The court accepts cash and credit card for the fee. Ask the staff about the total cost when you visit.
Anderson Marriage License Rules
State law sets clear 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 statement of consent. The court will need to see a birth certificate or other proof of age for a minor. These rules come from Section 20-1-250 of the South Carolina Code.
There is no blood test rule in South Carolina. You do not have to live in Anderson or in the state to apply. Out-of-state couples can get a license at the Anderson County Probate Court as long as they meet the basic age and ID rules. Bring your photo ID and Social Security proof. If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse. The court needs this to process your form.
South Carolina also offers a one-time $50 state income tax credit for couples who complete a premarital preparation course. The course must last at least six hours. It can be led by a licensed counselor or an active member of the clergy. Both people must take the course together within 12 months before they apply. Bring proof of the course when you visit the Probate Court.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
After you get your Anderson 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 a wedding:
- 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 must sign the marriage certificate. They then return it to the Anderson County Probate Court for recording. The court sends a copy to the state vital records office in Columbia. This step is set by law and keeps a central record of all marriages in the state.
Anderson Marriage License Fees
The state adds a $20 fee on top of the base marriage license cost. This extra amount goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375 of the state code. The total cost can vary, so ask the Anderson County Probate Court staff about the current fee when you visit.
The court accepts cash and credit card. This gives you options if you do not want to carry a large amount of cash. Keep your receipt as proof of payment. The 24-hour wait is strict, so plan your visit at least one business day before you need the license in hand.
Marriage Records in Anderson
The Anderson County Probate Court keeps marriage records from 1911 to the present day. If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, contact the court. You will need to show ID and give the names on the record along with the date of the marriage.
The screenshot below is from the City of Anderson website, which lists local services and government contact details for Anderson residents.
For marriages that took place from July 1950 through December 2023, you can also request 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. If you are doing family history research, the state archives may hold older records as well.
State Vital Records for Anderson
After a wedding takes place, the officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the Probate Court. The court records it and sends one copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This process is required under Section 20-1-340 of state law.
The South Carolina Judicial Department oversees all Probate Courts in the state. Their site has links to court forms and general rules that apply to Anderson and the rest of Anderson County. The Anderson County government website also has details about local offices and hours.
If you lost your marriage certificate, you can request a new certified copy from the Anderson County Probate Court or from the state vital records office in Columbia. Both offices require a valid photo ID and the names and date on the record.
Common Questions About Anderson
Many couples ask if they can apply at Anderson city hall. The answer is no. All marriage license work for Anderson goes through the Anderson County Probate Court. There is no online option for the form at this time. Both people must show up in person.
The 24-hour wait is set by state law. It cannot be waived. Start the process at least one day before your planned wedding. The clock starts from the hour the court gets your form.
Your Anderson marriage license is valid for ceremonies held anywhere in South Carolina. It does not limit you to the city or county. A marriage performed under a valid South Carolina license is recognized in all 50 states.
Both people must be at least 16. If one or both are under 18, a parent or guardian must give sworn consent. The Probate Court will ask for proof of age. Bring a birth certificate or similar document.
Anderson County Records
Anderson is in Anderson County. The county Probate Court handles all marriage license requests for every city and town in the county. For a full guide to fees, forms, and rules at the county level, visit the Anderson County marriage license page.