Simpsonville Marriage License Filing Guide
Simpsonville is a growing city in Greenville County, South Carolina. Couples who live in or plan to wed in Simpsonville apply for a marriage license at the Greenville County Probate Court. The city does not have its own license office. All requests go through the county court in Greenville. The Probate Court sits at Suite N-T100, 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601. Staff can help you with forms, fees, and any questions. South Carolina law does not require you to live in the state to get a license. Once you have the license, it is valid at any spot in the state.
How to Apply in Simpsonville
Both people must go to the Greenville 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 a passport. You also need your Social Security card. The court staff will give you a form to fill out. Both of you must sign the form 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 date is close. The clock starts from the hour the court gets your form.
Once the wait is done, go back to the Probate Court to pick up the license. The trip from Simpsonville to the Greenville County Square is short. Most couples drive it in about 15 minutes.
Simpsonville Marriage License Rules
State law sets clear age limits. Both people must be at least 16. 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 Simpsonville, Greenville County, or the state to apply. Out-of-state couples are free to get a license here. If you were wed before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for your prior spouse. The court needs this to process your new form.
Both of you must show up at the same time. The court will not let one person file for both. This is a strict rule with no way around it.
Who Can Lead the Ceremony
After you get your Simpsonville marriage license, you still need someone to run 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 Greenville County Probate Court. The court records it and sends a copy to the state vital records office in Columbia.
Simpsonville Marriage License Cost
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. The total fee varies, so call the Greenville 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 has 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. Bring proof of the course when you visit the Probate Court. This credit is spelled out in Section 20-1-230 of the state code.
Simpsonville Marriage Records
The Greenville County Probate Court keeps marriage records for all of Greenville County. This includes every license filed by Simpsonville 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 Simpsonville website, which lists city services and local resources for Simpsonville 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 Simpsonville
After a wedding takes place, the officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the Greenville 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 be a good place to look. The Probate Court can also help with searches through their own files. Older records may take more time to find, so plan for a wait if you are looking for something from many years ago.
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 Simpsonville
Can you apply for a marriage license online in Simpsonville? Right now, both people must appear in person at the Greenville 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 rule 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.
Does the Simpsonville marriage license work in other states? The license is valid for ceremonies held in South Carolina only. A marriage performed under a valid South Carolina license is recognized in all 50 states. You do not need a second license if you move to a new state after the wedding.
What if you lost your marriage certificate? You can request a certified copy from the Greenville 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.
Greenville County Records
Simpsonville is in Greenville 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 Greenville County marriage license page.