Summerville SC Marriage License Application Guide
Summerville sits in three South Carolina counties. Parts of town fall in Dorchester County, parts in Berkeley County, and a small section in Charleston County. This means the Probate Court you visit for a marriage license depends on where you live in Summerville. Each court has its own office, phone line, and hours. The good news is that the rules and forms are the same across all three. South Carolina law sets one set of rules for marriage licenses statewide. You just need to know which court to walk into. This page breaks down the steps, fees, and locations so you can plan your visit with ease.
Where Summerville Residents Apply
Your home address sets the court. If you live in the Dorchester County part of Summerville, you go to the Dorchester County Probate Court. That office is at 5200 E Jim Bilton Blvd, St George, SC 29477. Call them at (843) 832-0136 to check hours or ask about fees. St George is about 30 miles from downtown Summerville, so plan for the drive.
If your address falls in Berkeley County, you apply at the Berkeley County Probate Court. That court is at 300-B California Ave, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. The phone number is (843) 719-4519. Moncks Corner is north of Summerville. The drive takes about 20 to 25 minutes.
For those in the Charleston County slice of Summerville, you would apply at the Charleston County Probate Court. Not sure which county your address is in? Check your tax bill or call the Town of Summerville for help. They can tell you fast.
Steps to Get Your Marriage License
Both people must go to the Probate Court in person. You cannot send one party alone. Bring a valid photo ID. A state driver's license or passport works. You will also need your Social Security card. The clerk will hand you a form. Both of you sign it at the window.
The following screenshot from the Town of Summerville website shows local government information for Summerville residents.
After you file the form, a 24-hour wait period starts. This is state law under Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code. You cannot pick up the license the same day. Come back the next day or later. The license is then good for use at any location in South Carolina.
Summerville Marriage License Requirements
South Carolina sets clear age rules. Both people must be at least 16. If one or both are under 18, a parent or guardian must give sworn consent. The 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 South Carolina Code.
There is no blood test. There is no residency rule. You do not have to live in Summerville or in South Carolina to apply. Couples from out of state can get a license here as long as they meet the age and ID rules. If you were wed before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse. The clerk needs to see proof that the old marriage ended.
Fees and Payment Options
Each county sets its own base fee for the marriage license. On top of that, state law adds a $20 charge that goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375. The total cost varies, so call the court for your county before you go. Dorchester County Probate Court can be reached at (843) 832-0136. Berkeley County Probate Court is at (843) 719-4519.
Most Probate Courts take cash. Some also accept checks or money orders. Credit card options vary by office. It is best to call ahead so you bring the right form of payment. Do not wait until your wedding day to apply. The 24-hour wait means you must plan at least one full day in advance.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Once you hold your Summerville marriage license, you still need an officiant. South Carolina law limits who can lead a wedding. Under Section 20-1-20, 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 officiant signs the marriage certificate after the ceremony. They must 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.
Summerville Marriage Records
Need a copy of a past marriage certificate? Contact the Probate Court in the county where the license was filed. You will need to show ID and give the names on the record plus the date of the marriage. The court can print a certified copy for a small fee.
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 search fee by mail or $17 for expedited service. Older records may be at the state archives.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina gives a one-time $50 state income tax credit to couples who take a premarital preparation course. The course must last at least six hours. A licensed counselor or active clergy member must 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 visit the Probate Court. The clerk will note it on your marriage license. This credit is found in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. It is a small perk that can help offset the cost of the license and other wedding costs.
Common Questions for Summerville Couples
Many couples ask if they can apply online. Right now, both people must show up in person at the Probate Court. There is no online, mail, or phone option for the marriage license form in South Carolina.
Some wonder which court to use if one person lives in Dorchester County and the other in Berkeley County. You can apply at either court. The license is valid for use anywhere in the state. Pick the one that fits your schedule best.
Can you use a Summerville marriage license in another state? The license itself is only valid for ceremonies held in South Carolina. But a marriage performed under a valid South Carolina license is recognized in all 50 states. If you lost your certificate, you can get a new certified copy from the Probate Court or from the state vital records office in Columbia.
Dorchester County Marriage License Records
Most of Summerville falls in Dorchester County. For full details on the Dorchester County Probate Court, fees, hours, and related records, visit the county 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.