Bluffton South Carolina Marriage License Information
Bluffton is a growing town in Beaufort County along the southern coast of South Carolina. Couples who want to get a marriage license in Bluffton apply at the Beaufort County Probate Court. The Bluffton Municipal Court handles local matters like traffic and code cases, but it does not issue marriage licenses. All license forms and records go through the county Probate Court. Bluffton sits near Hilton Head Island and draws many visitors each year. If you plan to wed in or near Bluffton, the Beaufort County Probate Court is the office you need to visit for your marriage license.
How to Apply in Bluffton
Both people must go to the Beaufort County Probate Court in person. You cannot send just one person. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. You will also need your Social Security card. The court gives you a form to fill out. Both of you sign it there at the office.
South Carolina law requires a 24-hour wait after you file. Under Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code, the written form must sit on file for at least one full day before the Probate Court can hand you the license. This means you cannot pick it up the same day. Plan ahead if your wedding date is near. Once the wait is done, return to the court to get your license.
The license is good anywhere in South Carolina.
Bluffton Marriage License Requirements
State law sets the rules. 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 Probate Court. The court will need a birth certificate or other proof of age for any minor. These rules are in Section 20-1-250 of the state code.
There is no blood test. There is no residency rule in South Carolina. You do not have to live in Bluffton or in the state to apply. Out-of-state couples can get a license as long as they meet the age and ID rules. Many couples who come to Bluffton and the Hilton Head area for a destination wedding use this option. If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or the death certificate for your prior spouse.
Bluffton Municipal Court
The Town of Bluffton has its own municipal court. This court handles local ordinance cases, traffic tickets, and other small matters within the town limits. It does not issue marriage licenses. It does not keep marriage records. Do not go to the Bluffton Municipal Court for anything related to a marriage license.
All marriage license work in Bluffton goes through the Beaufort County Probate Court. The Probate Court is the only office in the county with the authority to issue and record marriage licenses. This is true for every town and city in Beaufort County, not just Bluffton.
Beaufort County Marriage Records
The Beaufort County Probate Court keeps marriage records from 1911 to the present. If you need a certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact the court. Bring your ID and know the names on the record and the date of the marriage. The court can search its files and provide a certified copy.
The following image is from the Beaufort County Probate Court website, which lists services and contact details for the court office.
The court site has hours, phone numbers, and directions. Check it before you visit.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding
After you get your marriage license from the Beaufort County Probate Court, you need someone to lead the ceremony. South Carolina law limits who can do this. Under Section 20-1-20 of the state code, only certain people may officiate:
- Ministers of the Gospel
- Jewish rabbis
- Officers who can give oaths in South Carolina
- Chief or spiritual leader of a state-recognized Native American Indian group
The officiant must sign the marriage certificate after the ceremony. They then return it to the Beaufort County Probate Court for recording. The court sends a copy to the state vital records office. This is required under Section 20-1-340 of state law.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina offers a one-time $50 state income tax credit for couples who take a premarital preparation course before they apply for a license. The course must be at least six hours long. A licensed counselor or active member of the clergy can teach it. Both people must take it together. You must finish within 12 months before you apply.
Bring proof of the course when you visit the Beaufort County Probate Court. The court notes it on your marriage license. This credit is set out in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. It is a small savings that most couples do not know about.
State Vital Records for Bluffton
After a wedding near Bluffton, the officiant sends the signed certificate to the Beaufort County Probate Court. The court records it and forwards a copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This creates a central state record of the marriage. For marriages from July 1950 through December 2023, you can order a copy from the state office. The fee is $12 by mail or $17 for faster service.
The McDougall Law Firm Beaufort County page also provides useful details about the Beaufort County court system. The South Carolina Judicial Department site lists court contacts for all counties in the state, including Beaufort County where Bluffton is located.
Common Questions About Bluffton
Can you apply for a marriage license in Bluffton itself? No. You must go to the Beaufort County Probate Court. The Bluffton Municipal Court does not handle marriage licenses.
Is the 24-hour wait strict? Yes. It is state law and cannot be waived. Apply at least one business day before your wedding. The clock starts from the hour the court gets your form.
Does the license work outside South Carolina? The license is only valid for ceremonies held in the state. A marriage performed under a valid South Carolina license is generally recognized in all 50 states. If you lose your certificate, the Beaufort County Probate Court or the state vital records office in Columbia can issue a new certified copy.
Bluffton Marriage License Fees
South Carolina law adds a $20 fee on top of the base marriage license fee. This extra amount funds the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375. The total cost varies by county, so call the Beaufort County Probate Court to confirm the current amount before you visit.
Most courts accept cash. Some take money orders or checks. Credit card options depend on the office. Call ahead or check the Beaufort County Probate Court page for the latest payment details. Remember that the 24-hour wait period is strict, so plan your visit with enough time before the ceremony.
Beaufort County Records
Bluffton is in Beaufort County. All marriage license filings go through the Beaufort County Probate Court. For more on the county court, fees, and related resources, visit the Beaufort County marriage license page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Residents of nearby cities apply for a marriage license at their own county Probate Court. Pick a city below to learn more.