Easley Marriage License Application Process
Easley is a city in Pickens County, South Carolina. Couples who live in or plan to wed in Easley apply for a marriage license at the Pickens County Probate Court. The city does not have its own license office. All requests go through the county court in Pickens. The office is at 222 McDaniel Avenue, B-16, Pickens, SC 29671. You can reach staff by phone at (864) 898-5903. The cost is $35, and the court takes cash. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. South Carolina law does not require you to live in the state to get a license here.
How to Apply in Easley
Both people must go to the Pickens County Probate Court in person. You cannot send one person alone. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. You also need your Social Security card. The court staff will hand you a form to fill out. Both of you must sign the form at the office.
South Carolina law has a 24-hour wait rule. After you file the form, the court must hold it for one full day before it can give you the license. This rule is set by Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code. Plan ahead if your wedding date is near. The clock starts from the hour the court gets your form.
Once the wait period is done, go back to the Probate Court to pick up the license. The drive from Easley to Pickens is about 10 miles. Most people make the trip in less than 20 minutes.
Easley Marriage License Rules
State law sets firm age limits for marriage. 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 need to see a birth certificate or other proof of age for any minor. These rules come from Section 20-1-250 of the state code.
There is no blood test in South Carolina. You do not have to live in Easley, Pickens County, or the state to file. Out-of-state couples can get a license as long as they meet the basic age and ID rules. If you were wed before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for your prior spouse. The court needs this to move your form along.
Easley Marriage License Fees
The cost for a marriage license at the Pickens County Probate Court is $35. The court accepts cash. South Carolina law adds a $20 charge on top of the base fee for all marriage licenses in the state. This extra amount goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375 of the state code.
Call the Probate Court at (864) 898-5903 to ask about other forms of payment. Some courts also take money orders or checks, but it is best to bring cash to be safe. Keep your receipt as proof of payment.
South Carolina offers a one-time $50 state income tax credit for couples who take a premarital course. The course must be at least six hours long. It can be led by a licensed counselor or a member of the clergy. Both people must take the course at the same time. You must finish it within 12 months before you apply for the license. Bring proof when you visit the Probate Court. This credit is in Section 20-1-230 of the state code.
Who Can Officiate in Easley
After you get your Easley marriage license, you 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 Pickens County Probate Court for recording. The court sends a copy to the state vital records office in Columbia.
Easley Marriage Records
The Pickens County Probate Court keeps marriage records for all of Pickens County. This includes every license filed by Easley couples. 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 Easley website, which lists city services and local information for Easley 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 faster service.
State Vital Records for Easley
After a wedding takes place, the officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the Pickens 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 creates a central record of every marriage in the state.
If you are doing family history work, the state archives can help. The Probate Court can also search their own files for older records. Older records may take more time to find, so plan for a wait.
The South Carolina Judicial Department site has links to court forms and rules that apply across the state. You can look up general filing steps and court contact details there.
Common Questions for Easley
Can you apply for a marriage license online? Right now, both people must appear in person at the Pickens County Probate Court. There is no online, mail, or phone option for the marriage license form in Pickens County.
Can the 24-hour wait be waived? No. The wait is set by state law. It applies to every county in South Carolina. Start the process at least one business day before your planned wedding.
Does the Easley marriage license work in other states? The license is valid for ceremonies held in South Carolina only. A marriage performed under a valid South Carolina license is recognized in all 50 states. You do not need a second license if you move after the wedding.
What if you lost your marriage certificate? You can request a certified copy from the Pickens County Probate Court or from the state vital records office in Columbia. Both offices need your ID and the names and date on the record.
Pickens County Records
Easley is in Pickens 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 Pickens County marriage license page.