Mount Pleasant Marriage License
Mount Pleasant sits in Charleston County on the east side of the Cooper River. It is one of the fastest growing towns in South Carolina. Couples who live in Mount Pleasant get their marriage license from the Charleston County Probate Court. The town itself does not issue licenses. The Mount Pleasant Municipal Court deals with local code cases and has no role in the marriage license process. All forms and filings go through the county Probate Court in downtown Charleston. This guide walks you through each step so you know what to bring and where to go.
Where Mount Pleasant Couples Apply
The Charleston County Probate Court runs all marriage license work for Mount Pleasant. The office is at 100 Broad Street, Suite 469, Charleston, SC 29401. Both people must go to this office. You cannot apply at any town hall or court in Mount Pleasant itself.
The drive from Mount Pleasant to the Probate Court takes about 15 to 20 minutes on a normal day. Cross the Ravenel Bridge into downtown Charleston and head south on Meeting Street. The court is near the corner of Broad and Meeting. Paid parking is close by on the street and in small lots.
Staff at the Probate Court will check your forms and IDs on the spot. Plan to spend 20 to 40 minutes at the office. If you have all your papers ready, the visit goes fast. Call the court if you have questions before your trip.
LOVE Online Application for Mount Pleasant
Charleston County uses an online tool called LOVE. The name stands for Live Online Virtual E-Application. This lets Mount Pleasant couples start the marriage license form from home. You fill in your names, dates, and other details on a web form. Both people must still go to the Probate Court in person to show ID and sign the final papers.
The LOVE system saves time at the counter. When you walk in, the clerk can pull up what you sent online. This cuts down wait time. You can find the LOVE form on the Charleston County Probate Court marriage license page.
The following image from the Town of Mount Pleasant website shows local government services for residents in the area.
Once you submit the LOVE form, you still need to visit in person. The online step does not remove the in-person part. It just makes the visit go more smoothly.
What to Bring From Mount Pleasant
Both people need a valid photo ID. A state driver's license or a passport works. You also need your Social Security card. If you lost it, get a new one from the Social Security office before you apply.
If you were wed before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse. The clerk must see proof that the old marriage ended. Do not bring a copy of the filing. Bring the final court order.
Anyone under 18 needs a parent or legal guardian to come along. The parent signs a consent form at the counter. Bring a birth certificate or other proof of age for the minor. South Carolina law sets the minimum age at 16 for marriage with parental consent.
Mount Pleasant Waiting Period
South Carolina law requires a 24-hour wait after you file the form. You apply on one day and pick up the license on the next day or later. The clock starts from the time the Probate Court gets your signed form.
This rule comes from Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code. No judge or clerk can skip or shorten it. Plan your visit to the Probate Court at least one full business day before you need the license in hand.
Once the wait is done, one person can pick up the license. You do not both have to go back. The license is then valid for use at any ceremony in the state.
Who Can Officiate in Mount Pleasant
After you get your license, you need someone to lead the ceremony. South Carolina law limits who can do this. Under Section 20-1-20, the list includes ministers, rabbis, officers who can give oaths, and the chief or spiritual leader of a state-recognized Native American Indian group.
Many couples in Mount Pleasant hold weddings at beach sites, parks, or event halls near the harbor. The town has a wide range of spots to choose from. Your officiant must sign the marriage certificate after the ceremony. They then send it back to the Charleston County Probate Court for recording.
Marriage License Fees for Charleston County
The Charleston County Probate Court sets the fee for a marriage license. Call the court to confirm the exact amount before you visit. The state adds a $20 surcharge that goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375. This is part of every license fee in South Carolina.
Most courts accept cash or money orders. Some take credit cards with an added fee. Check with the Charleston County Probate Court for the latest payment methods. Bring more than one form of payment just in case.
Marriage Records for Mount Pleasant
After the wedding, the signed certificate goes back to the Probate Court. The court files it and sends a copy to the state vital records office in Columbia. This creates a permanent record of the marriage.
If you need a certified copy later, contact the Charleston County Probate Court. You will need the full names of both spouses and the date of the marriage. The court can also help with older records that may be stored in their files.
For marriages from July 1950 through December 2023, you can also order a copy from the South Carolina Department of Public Health in Columbia. The state charges a $12 fee by mail or $17 for rush service.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina gives a one-time $50 state income tax credit to couples who take a premarital prep course. The course must last at least six hours. A licensed counselor or active clergy member must lead it. Both people take the course at the same time.
You must finish the course within 12 months before you apply for the license. Bring proof of the course to the Probate Court when you file. The court will note it on your marriage license. This credit is spelled out in Section 20-1-230 of the state code.
Common Questions From Mount Pleasant Residents
Can I apply at a Mount Pleasant office? No. You must go to the Charleston County Probate Court at 100 Broad Street in Charleston. Mount Pleasant does not have a local office for marriage licenses.
Do I have to live here? No. South Carolina has no residency rule for marriage licenses. Anyone can apply in Charleston County.
Can I use the license in other states? The license is valid only for a ceremony held in South Carolina. Once the marriage is done here, all 50 states will recognize it.
What if I lost my marriage certificate? Ask the Charleston County Probate Court for a new certified copy. You can also contact the South Carolina Division of Vital Records for state-level copies.
Charleston County Marriage License Records
Mount Pleasant is part of Charleston County. The county Probate Court handles all marriage license work for every town and city within its borders. For full details on county rules, fees, and office hours, visit the Charleston County marriage license page.