Columbia Marriage License Filing Guide
Columbia is the capital of South Carolina and sits in Richland County. Couples who want to marry in Columbia apply for a marriage license through the Richland County Probate Court. The court handles all filings online. You do not go in person to fill out forms. The fee is $45.24, and the court is at 1701 Main Street on the second floor. Columbia Municipal Court does not issue marriage licenses. That court handles local law violations only. For a marriage license, the Richland County Probate Court is the right office to contact.
How to Apply in Columbia
The Richland County Probate Court uses an online-only system for marriage license filings. Visit the Richland County Probate Court marriage page to start. Both people fill out the form on the website. You will need a valid photo ID and your Social Security number.
The fee is $45.24, paid online by credit or debit card. After you submit the form, the 24-hour wait period starts. South Carolina law under Section 20-1-220 requires the court to hold your form for one full day. You cannot get the license on the same day you file.
Once the wait is done, the court will tell you when to pick up the license. Both people must go to the Probate Court at 1701 Main St., 2nd Floor, Suite 207, Columbia, SC 29201. Bring your photo ID. The staff will check your forms and hand you the license. It is valid for six months and can be used at any location in South Carolina.
Columbia Marriage License Office
The Richland County Probate Court is on the second floor of the main county building on Main Street in downtown Columbia. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The office is closed on state holidays and weekends.
The phone number is 803-576-1961. Call if you need help with the online form or have questions about what to bring. Parking is available in nearby garages and on the street. The building has security at the front door, so bring a valid photo ID.
Some couples confuse the Columbia Municipal Court with the Probate Court. The Municipal Court at columbiasc.gov handles local ordinance violations and traffic cases. It does not issue marriage licenses. For that, you must go through the Richland County Probate Court.
Columbia Marriage License Fees
The total cost for a Columbia marriage license is $45.24. This is paid online when you submit your form. The state adds a $20 charge to all marriage license fees in South Carolina. That amount goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375 of the state code.
Cash and checks are not used for online filings. You must pay with a credit or debit card. Keep your receipt as proof of payment. If you have trouble with the online system, call the Probate Court at 803-576-1961 for help.
South Carolina 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 and be led by a licensed counselor or a member of the clergy. Both people take the course together within 12 months before they apply. Bring proof of the course to the Probate Court when you pick up your license.
Requirements for Columbia Residents
State law sets clear rules for who can get a marriage license. Both people must be at least 16 years old. If one or both are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign a sworn statement of consent. The court will need a birth certificate or other proof of age for any minor.
There is no blood test or residency rule in South Carolina. You do not have to live in Columbia or in the state. Out-of-state couples can get a license here if they meet the basic age and ID rules. If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for your prior spouse.
The screenshot below is from the City of Columbia website, which lists city services and local government offices in the Columbia area.
Both people must appear in person at the Probate Court to pick up the license. You cannot send one person alone. Bring the same photo ID you used on the online form.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
After you get your Columbia marriage license, you need someone to lead the ceremony. South Carolina law under Section 20-1-20 limits who can do this. Only ministers of the Gospel, Jewish rabbis, officers allowed to give oaths in South Carolina, and the chief or spiritual leader of a state-recognized Native American Indian group may officiate a wedding.
The person who leads the ceremony must sign the marriage certificate. They then return it to the Richland County Probate Court for recording. The court sends a copy to the state vital records office. This step is required under Section 20-1-340 of state law.
Columbia Marriage Records
The Richland County Probate Court keeps marriage records on file. If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, contact the court with the names on the record and the date of the marriage. You will need to show a valid photo ID.
The image below is from the Columbia City Clerk website, which provides information on city records and filings in Columbia.
For marriages 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. After a wedding, the officiant must return the signed certificate to the Probate Court. The court records it and sends one copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records.
Common Questions for Columbia
Many couples ask if they can apply in person at the Probate Court. Right now, the Richland County Probate Court uses an online-only system. You must file the form on the court website. Call 803-576-1961 if you do not have access to a computer.
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 Columbia marriage license works for ceremonies held anywhere in South Carolina. It does not limit you to the city or county. A marriage under a valid South Carolina license is recognized in all 50 states. The license is valid for six months from the date it is issued.
If you lost your marriage certificate, you can get a new certified copy from the Richland County Probate Court or from the state vital records office in Columbia.
Richland County Records
Columbia is in Richland 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 Richland County marriage license page.