Florence South Carolina Marriage License Records
Florence is the county seat of Florence County in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Couples who want to get a marriage license in Florence apply at the Florence County Probate Court. The court sits at the county courthouse and serves all of Florence County. Staff at the Probate Court handle new license forms and keep old records on file. Florence is one of the larger cities in the eastern part of the state. The city has a long history and a growing population. If you plan to wed in or near Florence, the Probate Court is where you start the marriage license process.
How to Apply in Florence
Both people must go to the Florence County Probate Court in person. You cannot send just one person. Bring a valid photo ID such as a state driver's license or a passport. You will also need your Social Security card. The court gives you a form to fill out at the office. Both of you sign it there.
South Carolina law sets a 24-hour wait after you file your form. You cannot pick up the license on the same day you apply. Under Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code, the written form must be on file for at least one full day. Plan ahead if your wedding is soon. Once the wait ends, go back to the Probate Court to get your license. The Florence County marriage license works anywhere in the state.
Call the court first. Hours can shift.
Florence Marriage License Requirements
State law is clear about 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 legal guardian must sign a sworn consent form at the Probate Court. The 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 rule. There is no residency rule. You do not have to live in Florence or even in South Carolina to apply. Out-of-state couples can get a license here as long as they meet the age and ID rules. If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse. The Probate Court staff will check these papers before they process your form.
Florence County Probate Court
The Florence County Probate Court is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses. Municipal courts in Florence do not handle this. The Florence Municipal Court deals with local cases like traffic and code matters. It has no role in the marriage license process at all.
The Probate Court also keeps marriage records from 1911 to the present. If you need a copy of a past marriage certificate, you can ask the court for one. Bring your ID and know the names on the record and the date of the marriage. The court can search its files and give you a certified copy for a small fee. For marriages that took place from July 1950 through December 2023, you can also order a copy from the South Carolina Department of Public Health in Columbia.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding
After you pick up your Florence marriage license, you still need someone to lead the ceremony. South Carolina law limits who can do this. Under Section 20-1-20, the following 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 Florence County Probate Court for recording. The court sends a copy to the state vital records office in Columbia. This step is required under Section 20-1-340 of state law.
Florence Marriage License Image
The following screenshot is from the City of Florence website, which provides local information for Florence residents.
The city site lists local services. Marriage licenses are not issued by the city but through the county Probate Court.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina offers a one-time $50 state income tax credit for couples who take 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. You must finish it within 12 months before you apply for the marriage license.
When you apply at the Florence County Probate Court, bring proof of the course. The court will note it on your license. This credit is set out in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code. Not many couples know about this option. It can save you a bit on your state taxes in the year you wed.
State Vital Records for Florence
After a wedding in Florence, the officiant must send the signed certificate back to the Probate Court. The court records it and forwards a copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This keeps a central record of every marriage in the state. The state office charges a $12 search fee by mail or $17 for expedited service if you need a copy later.
For older records, the Florence County Probate Court has files going back to 1911. If you are doing family history research, the court can help with local searches. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History may hold even older records for the Florence area. The South Carolina Judicial Department website also lists court contact details for all counties in the state.
Common Questions About Florence
Many couples ask if they can apply online. Right now, both people must appear in person at the Florence County Probate Court. There is no online form for the marriage license in Florence. You also cannot apply by mail or phone.
Another common question is about the wait. The 24-hour rule is state law. It cannot be waived. Plan to apply at least one business day before your planned wedding. The clock starts from the hour the court gets your form.
Some couples wonder if their Florence marriage license works in other states. The license itself is only valid for ceremonies held in South Carolina. However, a marriage performed under a valid South Carolina license is generally recognized in all 50 states. If you lost your certificate, you can ask the Florence County Probate Court or the state vital records office in Columbia for a new certified copy.
Florence Marriage License Fees
South Carolina law adds a $20 fee on top of the base marriage license fee. This extra amount goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375 of the state code. The total cost varies by county, so call the Florence County Probate Court to confirm the current fee before you visit. Most courts accept cash. Some also take money orders or checks. Credit card options depend on the office.
It is best to call ahead or check the Florence County government website for the latest payment details. Keep in mind that the 24-hour wait period is strict, so plan to visit at least one day before you need the license in hand.
Florence County Records
Florence is the county seat of Florence County. All marriage license filings go through the Florence County Probate Court. For more on the county court, full fee details, and other resources, visit the Florence 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.