Spartanburg South Carolina Marriage License Guide
Spartanburg is the county seat of Spartanburg County in the Upstate region of South Carolina. Couples who want to get a marriage license in Spartanburg apply at the Spartanburg County Probate Court. The court is at the county courthouse and serves all of Spartanburg County. Spartanburg is one of the largest cities in the Upstate and has deep roots in the history of the state. The Probate Court handles all new license forms and keeps past records on file for the public. If you plan to marry in or near Spartanburg, the Probate Court is where you begin.
Spartanburg Marriage License Process
Both people must visit the Spartanburg County Probate Court to apply for a marriage license. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security card. The court gives you a form. Both of you fill it out and sign it at the office. The filing fee is $80.
Spartanburg County also lets you download the application from its website. You can mail the completed form with your $80 fee and copies of your ID to the Probate Court. This mail option can save time if you live far from the courthouse. Call the court to confirm that this option is still available, since procedures can change.
South Carolina law sets a 24-hour wait after you file. Under Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code, the form must be on file for one full day before the court can issue the license. Plan ahead. Once the wait ends, the license is good for use anywhere in the state.
Requirements for a Marriage License
State law sets the basic rules. 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 want to see a birth certificate or other proof of age for any minor. These rules are in Section 20-1-250 of the state code.
There is no blood test. There is no residency rule. You do not have to live in Spartanburg or in South Carolina to apply. Out-of-state couples can get a license here. If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or the death certificate for your prior spouse. The Probate Court will check all papers before it moves forward with your form.
Spartanburg Probate Court Jurisdiction
The Spartanburg County Probate Court has broad authority under state law. According to sc-probate.com, the court has exclusive original jurisdiction over several types of matters. Marriage licenses are just one part of what the court handles.
The court also manages estates of people who have died, protection of minors and those who cannot care for themselves, trusts, and involuntary commitments for mental illness or substance use. Wrongful death settlements also go through this court. This broad scope means the Probate Court is one of the busiest offices in Spartanburg County. Marriage license applicants share the waiting area with people who are there for estate or guardianship matters.
Despite the range of cases, the staff is trained to move through license forms fast. Most visits for a marriage license take less than an hour.
Spartanburg Marriage License Image
The screenshot below is from the City of Spartanburg website, which lists local services and government resources for Spartanburg residents.
The city site covers local services. Marriage licenses are not issued by the city itself but through the county Probate Court.
Historical Marriage Records
Spartanburg County has some of the oldest marriage records in the state. The Probate Court holds records from 1911 to the present. For older records, genealogy researchers can find marriage data going back much further. Records from 1785 to 1911 are implied in Spartanburg County probate records. Newspaper records from the Carolina Spartan cover marriages from 1866 to 1869. These older records can be found through genealogy databases and local archives.
If you need a certified copy of a recent marriage certificate, contact the Spartanburg County Probate Court. Bring your ID and the names and date from the record. 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 office charges a $12 fee by mail or $17 for faster service.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
After you get your Spartanburg marriage license, you need someone to lead the ceremony. South Carolina law limits who can officiate. Under Section 20-1-20 of the state code, the following people may lead a wedding:
- 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 must sign the marriage certificate. They then return it to the Spartanburg County Probate Court. The court records it and sends a copy to the state vital records office. This step is required by Section 20-1-340.
Premarital Course Credit
South Carolina gives a one-time $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 active member of the clergy can teach it. Both people must take it together. You must finish the course within 12 months before you apply for the license.
Bring proof of the course when you apply at the Spartanburg County Probate Court. The court will note it on your license. This credit is in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. It is a small benefit that many couples overlook.
State Records and Spartanburg
After a wedding, the officiant returns the signed certificate to the Spartanburg County Probate Court. The court records it and forwards one copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This creates a central record of the marriage at the state level. The South Carolina Judicial Department website also lists court contact details for all counties, including Spartanburg.
For family history work, the state archives may hold older Spartanburg County records beyond what the Probate Court has. The Spartanburg County Public Library also has local history resources that can help trace older marriages.
Common Questions
Can you apply online? Spartanburg County does let you download the application form from its website. But both parties still need to provide ID and sign the form. Check with the court about current rules for mailed forms.
Is the 24-hour wait strict? Yes. It is state law and cannot be waived. Apply at least one business day before you need the license.
Does the license work in other states? The license is only valid for ceremonies in South Carolina. A marriage performed here is generally recognized in all 50 states. If you lose your certificate, the Spartanburg County Probate Court or the state vital records office can give you a new certified copy.
Spartanburg County Records
Spartanburg is the county seat of Spartanburg County. All marriage license filings go through the county Probate Court. For more on the county court, fees, and other resources, visit the Spartanburg County marriage license page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Residents of nearby cities apply for a marriage license at their own county Probate Court. Pick a city below to learn more.