Obtain an Anderson County Marriage License
The Anderson County Probate Court issues marriage licenses to couples planning to wed in South Carolina. Located in the city of Anderson, this court serves the entire county and processes license applications during regular business hours. Both people must appear at the office together. Anderson County marriage license records date back to 1911, and the court keeps certified copies available for those who need them. The Probate Court staff can answer questions about forms, fees, and required documents. If you are preparing for a wedding in the Upstate region, this guide covers what you need to know before your visit to the court.
Anderson County Marriage License Application Steps
Both applicants must go to the Anderson County Probate Court to start the process. You cannot apply by mail, phone, or online. The court requires each person to bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport meets this rule. You also need proof of your Social Security number, such as a Social Security card or a W-2 form that displays it.
At the court, you will fill out a joint application. Both parties sign it in front of the court staff. Once the form is on file, the 24-hour waiting period begins. This wait is strictly enforced in Anderson County per Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code. You must wait a full day before returning to pick up the license.
After the wait, the court issues the license. It is then valid for use at any location in South Carolina.
Required Documents and Eligibility
South Carolina law sets the baseline for who can receive a marriage license. Both people must be at least 16 years old. Minors between 16 and 17 need a parent or legal guardian to sign a sworn consent form at the Probate Court. The court will also ask for a birth certificate or similar proof of age for any minor applicant. These rules appear in Section 20-1-250 of the state code.
There is no blood test. No residency requirement exists either. You do not need to live in Anderson County or South Carolina to apply for a license at this court. Couples from out of state are free to apply as long as they show up with the right documents.
Bring proof that any prior marriage has ended. A final divorce decree works. So does a death certificate for a former spouse. The Probate Court cannot issue a new license until this is confirmed.
Fees and Payment Options
The Anderson County Probate Court accepts both cash and credit card payments for marriage license fees. Each license includes a $20 surcharge directed to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375 of the state code. The total fee may differ from other counties, so contact the Anderson County government office to confirm the current amount before you visit.
Having multiple payment options helps. Not all courts in South Carolina take cards, but Anderson County does. This makes it easier if you do not carry cash. Ask the court staff about any extra processing fees tied to card payments.
Anderson County Marriage License Waiting Period
The 24-hour rule trips up many couples. It is not flexible. The timer starts when the Probate Court receives your signed application. If you walk in at 10 a.m. on a Wednesday, the earliest you can pick up the license is 10 a.m. on Thursday.
Keep court hours in mind. The Probate Court is closed on weekends and holidays. If you apply late on a Friday, you may not be able to pick up the license until the following Monday. Build a buffer into your timeline. Couples with a Saturday wedding should aim to apply early in the week before.
This waiting period cannot be waived. It applies to every couple regardless of age, residency, or other factors.
Who Can Perform the Wedding
Your Anderson County marriage license does not become a completed marriage until a ceremony takes place. South Carolina law restricts who may officiate. Under Section 20-1-20, only these individuals can lead a wedding:
- Ministers of the Gospel
- Jewish rabbis
- Officers authorized to administer oaths in South Carolina
- Chief or spiritual leader of a Native American Indian group recognized by the state
- Notaries public who have been authorized to perform marriages
The officiant signs the marriage certificate after the vows. They must then return the signed document to the Anderson County Probate Court so it can be officially recorded. Failing to return the certificate can cause problems with your legal record.
Anderson County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Anderson County has marriage records on file from 1911 forward. The Probate Court can provide certified copies once a ceremony has been recorded. You will need to show valid ID and give the court the names and date tied to the record you want.
The image below is from the South Carolina Judicial Department website, which lists court details for counties across the state, including Anderson County Probate Court contact information.
Certified copies serve as legal proof of marriage. You may need them for name changes, insurance updates, or other legal matters. The court can issue multiple copies if you need more than one. Each copy may carry a small fee.
For marriages that took place between July 1950 and December 2023, you can also contact the South Carolina Department of Public Health in Columbia. The state office provides copies by mail or through expedited service for an added charge.
Premarital Preparation Course Credit
South Carolina rewards couples who complete a premarital course with a one-time $50 state income tax credit. The course must last at least six hours. A licensed counselor or active member of the clergy must teach it. Both people take the course together, and it must be done within the 12 months before the license application.
When you apply at the Anderson County Probate Court, bring your certificate of completion. The court will mark it on your marriage license. This tax credit is outlined in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. It is a small benefit, but it can offset part of the cost of the course.
State Records and Family Research
After a wedding ceremony, the officiant returns the signed marriage certificate to the Probate Court. The court records it locally and then sends a copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This dual filing ensures that every marriage in the state has both a county and a state record. The requirement falls under Section 20-1-340.
The following screenshot is from the South Carolina Department of Public Health vital records page, which explains how to request marriage certificates from the state level.
Family historians often use these records for genealogy. Statewide marriage registration started in July 1950. County-level records in Anderson go back to 1911. The state archives may hold older documents as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we apply online for an Anderson County marriage license? No. Both people must appear at the Probate Court in person. There is no online, mail, or phone option at this time.
Is the license valid outside South Carolina? The license is only good for ceremonies held in the state. Once married here, though, the marriage is recognized in all 50 states.
What if one of us was married before? Bring a final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. The court needs this before it will process a new application.
How do we get a copy of our marriage certificate after the wedding? Once the officiant returns the signed certificate to the Probate Court, the court records it. You can then request a certified copy from the Anderson County Probate Court or the state vital records office.
Do we need witnesses? South Carolina does not require witnesses at the ceremony. The officiant's signature on the marriage certificate is enough to make it legal.