Charleston Marriage License Guide
Charleston is the largest city in Charleston County, South Carolina. Couples who want to wed in Charleston apply for a marriage license at the Charleston County Probate Court. The court runs the LOVE online system, which stands for Live Online Virtual E-Application. This lets you start the process from home. The Marriage License Division is at the Judicial Center on Broad Street in downtown Charleston. Staff there can walk you through each step. The license costs $70 plus a small card fee. Once you have the license, it is valid for use at any spot in South Carolina.
How to Apply in Charleston
Charleston uses the LOVE online system for all marriage license requests. Both people fill out the form on the Charleston County Probate Court marriage license page. You will need a valid photo ID and your Social Security number to complete the form. A credit card is needed to pay the $70 fee plus a small transaction charge.
After you submit the form, the 24-hour wait period starts. South Carolina law under Section 20-1-220 says the court must hold your form for one full day. You cannot pick up the license on the same day you file. Plan at least one business day ahead of your wedding date.
Once the wait is done, go to the Marriage License Division at the Judicial Center, 100 Broad Street, Suite 469, Charleston, SC 29401. Both people must show up in person with a photo ID. The staff will check your forms and hand you the license. Call (843) 958-5183 if you have any questions about the steps.
Charleston Marriage License Office
The Charleston County Probate Court is led by the Honorable Judge Irvin G. Condon. The Marriage License Division sits on the fourth floor of the Judicial Center in downtown Charleston. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The office is closed on state holidays.
Parking in downtown Charleston can be tight. There are paid garages and meters near the Judicial Center. Bring your photo ID because security will check it at the front door. If you need to call ahead, the phone number is (843) 958-5183. Staff can tell you what to bring and how long the visit will take.
South Carolina does not require a blood test or a residency rule. You do not have to live in Charleston to get a license here. Out-of-state couples are welcome to apply. If you were married before, bring a copy of your final divorce decree or a death certificate for your prior spouse.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding
After you pick up your Charleston 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 it to the Charleston County Probate Court for recording. The court sends a copy to the state vital records office in Columbia.
Charleston Marriage License Fees
The total cost for a Charleston marriage license is $70, paid by credit card through the LOVE online system. There is also a small transaction fee on top of that. The state adds a $20 charge to all marriage license fees in South Carolina. This extra amount goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375 of the state code.
Cash and checks are not accepted for online filings. You must use a credit or debit card. If you have trouble with the online payment, call the Marriage License Division at (843) 958-5183 for help. Be sure to keep your receipt as proof of payment.
South Carolina also offers a one-time $50 state income tax credit for couples who take a premarital preparation course. The course must be at least six hours long and 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.
Charleston Marriage Records
The Charleston County Probate Court has marriage records from 1879 to the present day. These records can be searched online through the county system. If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, contact the Probate Court with the names on the record and the date of the marriage.
The Charleston County Public Library at 68 Calhoun Street is a good spot for family history research. The screenshot below is from the Charleston County Public Library website, which lists resources for genealogy and historical marriage records in the Charleston area.
The library holds old records, maps, and local history files. Staff can help you find marriage records that are not in the county online system. This is a free resource open to the public.
State Vital Records for Charleston
After a wedding in Charleston, 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 step is required under Section 20-1-340 of state law. It keeps a central record of every marriage in the state.
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.
The image below is from the City of Charleston business directory, which lists services and local offices in the Charleston area.
If you lost your marriage certificate, you can request a new certified copy from the Charleston County Probate Court or from the state vital records office. Both offices require a valid photo ID and the names and date on the record.
Common Questions for Charleston
Many couples ask if they can apply in person without using the online system. The LOVE system is the main way to file in Charleston County. Contact the Probate Court at (843) 958-5183 to ask about other options if you do not have access to a computer or credit card.
The 24-hour wait is set by state law and 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 Charleston 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 years old to apply. If one or both are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign a sworn statement of consent. The Probate Court will ask for proof of age, such as a birth certificate.
Charleston County Records
Charleston is in Charleston 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 Charleston County marriage license page.