Hilton Head Island Marriage License Process
Hilton Head Island is a resort town in Beaufort County, South Carolina. Couples who plan to wed on the island must get a marriage license from the Beaufort County Probate Court. The town of Hilton Head Island does not issue marriage licenses on its own. All license requests go through the county court in Beaufort. The island draws many couples for beach weddings each year, but the first step is the same for all of them. You file your forms at the Probate Court, wait one day, and then pick up the license. This page walks you through the full process so you know what to bring and where to go.
How to Apply on Hilton Head
Both people must go to the Beaufort County Probate Court in person. You cannot send one person on their own. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. You will also need your Social Security number. The court staff will hand you a form. Both of you sign it at the desk.
South Carolina law says there is a 24-hour wait after you turn in the form. This rule is in Section 20-1-220 of the state code. You cannot pick up the license on the same day you file. Plan at least one full day ahead of your wedding.
Once the wait ends, go back to the court. The staff will check your forms and give you the license. It is valid for use at any spot in South Carolina, not just on Hilton Head Island.
Hilton Head Marriage License Rules
South Carolina has clear rules for who can get a 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. The court will ask for a birth certificate or other proof of age for any minor.
There is no blood test. There is no residency rule. You do not have to live on Hilton Head or in Beaufort County to apply. Many out-of-state couples come to the island for a wedding and get their license at the Beaufort County Probate Court with no extra steps. If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse.
Wedding Officiants in South Carolina
After you pick up your Hilton Head Island marriage license, you need someone to lead the ceremony. State law limits who can do this. Under Section 20-1-20, only these people may officiate a wedding in South Carolina:
- 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 officiant signs the marriage certificate after the ceremony. They must then return the signed form to the Beaufort County Probate Court. The court records it and sends a copy to the state vital records office in Columbia.
Hilton Head License Fees
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. The total cost can vary, so call the Beaufort County Probate Court to confirm the current fee before you go. Most courts take cash. Some also take checks or money orders. Credit card options depend on the office.
South Carolina also offers a $50 state income tax credit for couples who take a premarital preparation course. The course must last at least six hours. A licensed counselor or an active member of the clergy must teach it. Both people take the course together within 12 months before they apply for the license. Bring proof of the course when you visit the Probate Court. This credit is in Section 20-1-230 of the state code.
Hilton Head Island Marriage Records
The Beaufort County Probate Court keeps marriage records on file. If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, contact the court. You will need to show your ID and give the names and date on the record.
The screenshot below is from the Visit Beaufort website, which shares marriage and event information for the Beaufort County area, including Hilton Head Island.
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.
State Vital Records for Hilton Head
After a wedding on Hilton Head Island, the officiant must return the signed certificate to the Beaufort 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 keeps a central record of every marriage in the state.
If you are doing family history research, you may find older records at the state archives. The Probate Court can also help with searches through their local files. The South Carolina Judicial Department website lists court contact details for every county in the state.
Common Questions for Hilton Head
Many couples ask if they can apply online. Right now, both people must show up in person at the Beaufort County Probate Court. There is no online option for the marriage license form. You also cannot apply by mail or phone.
The 24-hour wait is set by state law. It cannot be waived. Start the process at least one business day before your planned wedding. The clock begins from the hour the court gets your form.
Your Hilton Head Island marriage license works for ceremonies held at any location in South Carolina. It is not limited to the island or to Beaufort County. A marriage under a valid South Carolina license is recognized in all 50 states.
If you lost your marriage certificate, request a new certified copy from the Beaufort County Probate Court or from the state vital records office in Columbia. Both offices need a valid photo ID and the names and date on the record.
Beaufort County Records
Hilton Head Island is in Beaufort County. The county Probate Court handles all marriage license requests for every city and town in the county, including Hilton Head Island and Bluffton. For a full guide to fees, forms, and rules at the county level, visit the Beaufort County marriage license page.