North Charleston Marriage License Process
North Charleston spans two counties in South Carolina. Part of the city sits in Charleston County, and part sits in Dorchester County. This means where you apply for a marriage license depends on which side of the city you live in. If your home is in the Charleston County part, you go to the Charleston County Probate Court. If you live on the Dorchester County side, you apply at the Dorchester County Probate Court. The City of North Charleston does not issue marriage licenses on its own. You must go through one of the two county courts.
Where to Apply in North Charleston
North Charleston residents in the Charleston County part of the city apply at the Charleston County Probate Court. The Marriage License Division is at the Judicial Center, 100 Broad Street, Suite 469, Charleston, SC 29401. This office uses the LOVE online system. You can start the form at home and then pick up the license in person.
If you live in the Dorchester County part of North Charleston, you apply at the Dorchester County Probate Court. That office is at 5200 E Jim Bilton Blvd, St George, SC 29477. The drive to St George takes about 40 minutes from North Charleston. Call ahead to check the hours and ask what forms you need to bring.
Not sure which county you live in? Check your property tax bill or your voter registration card. Both list your county. You can also call the City of North Charleston for help. The county line runs through the city, so it is normal for people to be unsure.
North Charleston Filing Steps
Both people must fill out a marriage license form. If you go through the Charleston County Probate Court, you use the LOVE online form. The fee in Charleston County is $70 plus a small card fee. Dorchester County has its own form and fee. Call the Dorchester County Probate Court to get the current cost.
After you submit the form, the 24-hour wait period starts. South Carolina law under Section 20-1-220 says the court must hold your form for one full day. You cannot pick up the license on the same day you file. Plan at least one business day ahead of your wedding.
Once the wait is done, both people go to the Probate Court in person. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. The staff will check your forms, verify your ID, and hand you the license. The license is valid for use at any spot in South Carolina.
Requirements for North Charleston
State law sets the same rules for all counties. Both people must be at least 16 years old. If one or both are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign a sworn statement of consent. The Probate Court will need a birth certificate or other proof of age for any minor.
There is no blood test or residency rule. You do not have to live in North Charleston to apply at one of these courts. Out-of-state couples can get a license here if they meet the basic age and ID rules. Bring your Social Security card. If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for your prior spouse.
The screenshot below is from the City of North Charleston website, which lists city services and local government offices in North Charleston.
The city website does not handle marriage license filings. It can help you find your county and get contact details for the right Probate Court.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding
After you pick up your North Charleston marriage license, you need someone to lead the ceremony. South Carolina law under Section 20-1-20 limits who can do this. Only ministers of the Gospel, Jewish rabbis, officers allowed to give oaths in South Carolina, and the chief or spiritual leader of a state-recognized Native American Indian group may officiate.
The person who leads the ceremony signs the marriage certificate. They then return it to the Probate Court that issued the license. The court records it and sends a copy to the state vital records office in Columbia. This step is required under Section 20-1-340 of state law.
North Charleston Marriage Records
Marriage records for North Charleston residents are kept by the county Probate Court that issued the license. If you got your license through Charleston County, contact the Charleston County Probate Court for copies. If you used Dorchester County, contact that court instead.
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.
After a wedding, the officiant must return the signed certificate to the Probate Court. The court records it and sends one copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. If you lost your marriage certificate, you can get a new certified copy from the county court or from the state office.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina offers a one-time $50 state income tax credit for couples who complete a premarital preparation course. The course must last at least six hours. It can be taught by a licensed counselor or an active member of the clergy. Both people must take the course together within 12 months before they apply for the license.
When you visit the Probate Court, bring proof that you finished the course. The court will note it on your marriage license. This credit is detailed in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.
Common Questions for North Charleston
Many people ask which court to use. The answer depends on your address. If your home address falls in Charleston County, use the Charleston County Probate Court. If it falls in Dorchester County, use that court. Check your tax bill or voter card if you are not sure.
The 24-hour wait is set by state law and cannot be waived. Start the process at least one day before your planned wedding date. The clock starts from the hour the court gets your form.
Your North Charleston marriage license works for ceremonies held anywhere in South Carolina. A marriage under a valid South Carolina license is recognized in all 50 states. The license is valid for use within the time frame set by the issuing county.
North Charleston Municipal Court handles local law violations. It does not issue marriage licenses or keep marriage records. You must go through a county Probate Court for all marriage license matters.
Charleston County Records
Most of North Charleston falls within Charleston County. The Charleston County Probate Court handles marriage license requests for all cities and towns in that county. For a full guide to fees, forms, and rules at the county level, visit the Charleston County marriage license page.