North Augusta Marriage License
North Augusta is a city in Aiken County, South Carolina. It sits on the Savannah River near the Georgia state line. Couples who live in or plan to wed in North Augusta apply for a marriage license at the Aiken County Probate Court. The city does not have its own license office. All requests go through the county court in Aiken. South Carolina law does not require you to live in the state to get a license. Staff at the Probate Court can walk you through the forms and the steps. Once you have the license, it is valid at any location in the state.
How to Apply in North Augusta
Both people must go to the Aiken 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 also need your Social Security card. The court staff will hand you a form to fill out, and both of you must sign it 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. You cannot pick up the license on the same day you apply. This rule is set by Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code. Plan ahead if your wedding is soon. The clock starts from the hour the court gets your form.
Once the wait period is done, return to the Probate Court to pick up the license. North Augusta is about 20 miles from the city of Aiken. The drive takes less than half an hour on most days.
North Augusta Marriage License Rules
State law sets firm age limits. Both people must be at least 16 years old to apply. If one or both are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign a sworn consent form. The Probate Court will ask for 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 in South Carolina. You do not have to live in North Augusta, Aiken County, or the state to file for a license. Out-of-state couples can apply as long as they meet the basic age and ID rules. Many couples from across the river in Georgia choose to wed in North Augusta for this reason.
If you were wed before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for your prior spouse. The court will not process your form without it. Both people must show up at the same time. The court will not let one person file for both.
Who Can Officiate the Wedding
After you get your North Augusta 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:
- 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 Aiken County Probate Court for recording. The court sends a copy to the state vital records office in Columbia.
North Augusta Marriage License Fees
South Carolina law adds a $20 fee on top of the base marriage license cost. This extra charge goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375 of the state code. The total fee varies, so call the Aiken County Probate Court to confirm the current cost before you visit.
Most Probate Courts in South Carolina accept cash. Some also take money orders or checks. Credit card options depend on the office. It is best to call ahead and ask what forms of payment they take. Keep your receipt as proof.
South Carolina also 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. A licensed counselor or a member of the clergy must lead it. Both people take the course at the same time, within 12 months before they apply for the license. Bring proof of the course when you visit the Probate Court. This credit is found in Section 20-1-230 of the state code.
North Augusta Marriage Records
The Aiken County Probate Court keeps marriage records for all of Aiken County. This includes every license filed by North Augusta 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 North Augusta website, which lists city services and community information for North Augusta 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 North Augusta
After a wedding takes place, the officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the Aiken 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. North Augusta has grown fast in recent years, so the court may have a large number of recent filings on hand.
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 North Augusta
Can you apply for a marriage license online? Right now, both people must appear in person at the Aiken County Probate Court. There is no online, mail, or phone option for the marriage license form.
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.
Can Georgia residents get a license in North Augusta? Yes. South Carolina has no residency rule. Couples from Augusta, Georgia, or any other state can apply at the Aiken County Probate Court. The license is valid for ceremonies held anywhere in South Carolina.
What if you lost your marriage certificate? You can request a certified copy from the Aiken 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.
Aiken County Records
North Augusta is in Aiken 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 Aiken County marriage license page.