Greer SC Marriage License Application Process
Greer straddles the line between Greenville County and Spartanburg County in upstate South Carolina. The Probate Court you visit for a marriage license depends on which side of that line your home sits on. Both courts follow the same state rules, use the same forms, and charge fees set by state law. Greer is a growing city with a charming downtown and quick access to both Greenville and Spartanburg. This guide tells you which court to use, what to bring, and how to plan your trip so you can focus on your wedding day with no stress.
Where Greer Residents Apply
If your address is in the Greenville County part of Greer, you go to the Greenville County Probate Court. The office is at Suite N-T100, 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601. This is inside the Greenville County Square complex. The drive from Greer takes about 20 minutes south on US-29.
The screenshot below is from the City of Greer website, which lists local government services for Greer residents.
If your home falls in Spartanburg County, you apply at the Spartanburg County Probate Court. That court is in the city of Spartanburg. The drive from Greer is about 25 minutes east on I-85. Call ahead to check hours and fees at either court.
Not sure which county your address is in? Check your property tax bill. It will list the county. You can also call the City of Greer and ask. They deal with this question all the time.
Greer Marriage License Application Steps
Both people must show up at the Probate Court at the same time. You cannot send one person alone. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport works fine. You will also need your Social Security card. The clerk hands you a form. Both of you fill it out and sign it right there at the desk.
After the form is filed, state law requires a 24-hour wait. This rule is in Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code. The court cannot give you the license on the same day you apply. Come back the next day or later to pick it up. The clock starts from the hour and date the court gets your form.
Once you have it, the license is valid for a ceremony at any spot in South Carolina. You do not have to get married in Greer or in the county where you applied.
Requirements for Greer Couples
State law sets the same rules for all South Carolina counties. 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 clerk will ask for a birth certificate or other proof of age for any minor. These rules are in Section 20-1-250 of the state code.
No blood test is needed. No residency rule applies. You do not have to live in Greer or even in South Carolina. Out-of-state couples can apply at either the Greenville County or Spartanburg County Probate Court. If you were married before, bring a final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse. The clerk must see proof that the old marriage ended before a new license can be issued.
Fees for a Greer Marriage License
Each county sets its own base fee. State law adds a $20 surcharge on top of that base. The extra $20 goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375. Call the court for your county to get the exact total. The Greenville County Probate Court is at (864) 467-7170. The Spartanburg County Probate Court can be reached through their website.
Most courts take cash. Some accept checks or money orders. Credit card options depend on the office. Call ahead to confirm what forms of payment they take. Bring exact change if you plan to pay in cash.
Who Can Officiate in South Carolina
A marriage license alone does not make you married. You need someone to lead the ceremony. South Carolina law is strict about who can do this. Under Section 20-1-20, 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
Note that Probate Judges in Greenville County do not perform weddings. If you want a judge to officiate, you will need to look in another county or find a different type of officiant. The person who leads the ceremony must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Probate Court for recording.
Greer Marriage Records and Copies
If you need a certified copy of a past marriage certificate, contact the Probate Court in the county where the license was filed. You will need to show ID and give the names on the record plus the date of the wedding. A small fee applies for each copy.
The image below is from the Spartanburg County Probate Court page, which handles marriage licenses for Greer residents in Spartanburg County.
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. Older records may be at the state archives.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina gives a one-time $50 state income tax credit to couples who complete a qualifying premarital preparation course. The course must be at least six hours. A licensed counselor or active clergy member must teach it. Both people take the course together, not on their own. You must finish it within 12 months before you apply for the license.
Bring proof when you visit the Probate Court. The clerk notes it on your marriage license. This credit is in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Many couples in the Greer area find this a nice way to save a bit on their taxes after the wedding.
Common Questions for Greer Couples
Can you apply online? No. Both people must appear in person. There is no online, mail, or phone option for marriage license forms in South Carolina.
What if you and your partner live in different counties? You can apply at either the Greenville County or Spartanburg County Probate Court. The license works the same way no matter which court issues it. Pick the one that is more convenient for your schedule.
How long does the license last? A South Carolina marriage license does not have a set expiration date under state law. Still, it is wise to use it within a few weeks of getting it. The license is valid for any ceremony held in the state. If you lost your certificate, you can get a certified copy from the Probate Court or from the state vital records office in Columbia.
Greenville County Marriage License Records
Much of Greer falls in Greenville County. For full details on the Greenville County Probate Court, fees, office hours, and related records, visit the county 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.