Charleston Marriage License Records
The Charleston County Probate Court handles all marriage license applications for couples planning to wed in Charleston County, South Carolina. The Marriage License Division operates from the Charleston County Judicial Center on Broad Street in downtown Charleston. Couples can apply through the court's online system or visit the office in person during business hours. Charleston County keeps marriage records going back to 1879, one of the longest record histories in the state. The Probate Court staff assists with new applications, certified copies, and questions about the process. If you are looking for a Charleston County marriage license or need a copy of an older record, the Probate Court is the place to start.
Applying for a Charleston Marriage License
Charleston County offers an online application system called LOVE, which stands for Live Online Virtual E-Application. This system lets couples fill out the marriage license form from home. You do not need to visit the courthouse to submit your application. Both parties must complete the form, upload documents, and pay the fee online before the application is processed.
To use the LOVE system, go to the Charleston County Probate Court marriage license page. Each person must provide a valid email address. You will upload a photo ID and a document that shows your Social Security number. Both parties sign a sworn statement that all information is true and that they are legally allowed to marry under South Carolina law. Apply only once. Duplicate applications can slow things down.
The cost is $70 by credit card, plus a small transaction fee. This fee is not refundable. South Carolina law requires a 24-hour waiting period after you file the application. Two business days after the court receives your completed submission, your marriage license will be sent by email for you to print at home. Plan ahead so your license arrives before the ceremony date.
Charleston County Marriage License ID Requirements
The Probate Court requires specific forms of identification from each person. You must upload both a photo ID and proof of your Social Security number when you apply. The court will not process your application without these items.
For photo identification, the court accepts a valid driver's license, an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, a South Carolina identification card from the Highway Department, a current military ID card, or a current passport. Pick whichever form you have on hand. The document must be current and readable.
For Social Security proof, the court accepts your Social Security card, page one of your tax return showing your name and number, or a W-2 or other tax form with your name and number. If you use a tax form, redact any financial details before you upload it. Anyone who is not a United States citizen must submit a copy of a valid passport or current visa along with an Alien Registration Number.
Marriage License Fees in Charleston County
The total cost of a Charleston County marriage license is $70 paid by credit card. A small transaction fee is added on top of that amount. This payment is made through the online LOVE system and is non-refundable, even if you decide not to go through with the wedding. Part of every marriage license fee in South Carolina goes to the Domestic Violence Fund, as required by Section 20-1-375 of the state code.
If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate after the ceremony, the cost is $5 per copy. You pay by credit card plus a transaction fee. The court processes certified copy orders on the next business day and mails them out to the parties. You will need to provide both full names and the date of the marriage when you request a copy.
Who Can Officiate in Charleston County
After you receive your Charleston County marriage license, you need someone legally authorized to perform the ceremony. South Carolina law is clear about who qualifies. Under Section 20-1-20, the following people may officiate:
- Ordained ministers of the Gospel
- Jewish rabbis
- Officers authorized to administer oaths in South Carolina
- South Carolina notaries public
- Chief or spiritual leader of a state-recognized Native American Indian entity
The officiant must sign the marriage certificate after the ceremony. They then return the signed document to the Charleston County Probate Court for recording. The court sends a copy to the state Division of Vital Records within 15 days, as required by Section 20-1-340.
Charleston County Marriage License Records Since 1879
Charleston County has one of the most complete marriage record collections in South Carolina. The Charleston County Probate Court maintains records from 1879 to the present day, and these records are searchable through the court's online public inquiry system. You can look up records by the bride's name, groom's name, license number, or date range. The database shows the full names of both parties, the date the license was issued, the date of the ceremony, the officiant's name, and the recording date.
The following image is from the Charleston County Probate Court marriage license page, which details the application process and requirements for obtaining a license in Charleston County.
For marriages that took place before 1879, records were kept by local churches rather than the county government. If you are researching very old family records, you may need to contact individual churches in the Charleston area. The state archives in Columbia may also have some of these older documents on file.
The 24-Hour Waiting Period
South Carolina law imposes a mandatory 24-hour wait between filing a marriage license application and receiving the license. This rule applies in every county, including Charleston. The clock starts from the hour and date the Probate Court receives your completed application. Under Section 20-1-220, no license may be issued until a full day has passed.
In Charleston County, the process takes a bit longer because everything is handled by email. Two business days after you submit a completed application with payment and all documents, the court will email your license. You print it yourself and bring it to the ceremony. This timeline means you should apply well before your wedding date. Do not wait until the last minute.
Charleston County Probate Court Location and Hours
The Marriage License Division of the Charleston County Probate Court is located at the Judicial Center, 100 Broad Street, Suite 469, Charleston, SC 29401. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can reach the office by phone at (843) 958-5183 or by fax at (843) 958-5191. The Honorable Irvin G. Condon serves as Probate Judge for Charleston County.
The Estate and Will Division is in a separate building at the Historic Courthouse, 84 Broad Street, 3rd Floor. That office handles wills, estates, and guardianships. If you need a marriage license, make sure you contact the Marriage License Division at the Judicial Center, not the Historic Courthouse.
Most couples now use the online LOVE system and do not need to visit the courthouse at all. But if you have questions or run into trouble with the online form, the staff at the Judicial Center can help you by phone or in person during business hours.
Same-Sex Marriage Licenses in Charleston County
Charleston County holds a notable place in South Carolina history as the first county to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Probate Judge Irvin G. Condon began issuing these licenses following federal court decisions that struck down state bans on same-sex marriage. The ACLU of South Carolina documented this milestone, noting that legal same-sex marriage spread across the state from Charleston County.
The image below is from the ACLU of South Carolina's coverage of the expansion of marriage rights in the state, which highlights the role Charleston County played in that process.
Today, all couples apply through the same process. The LOVE online system and the in-person office treat every application the same way, regardless of the couple. The requirements for ID, Social Security proof, and fees are identical for all applicants in Charleston County.
Certified Copies of Charleston Marriage Certificates
If you already have a Charleston County marriage certificate on file and need a certified copy, the Probate Court can help. The cost is $5 per certified copy, paid by credit card plus a transaction fee. Provide both full names as they appear on the license and the date of the marriage. The court processes orders on the next business day and mails the copies to you.
For marriages recorded before 1999, the Charleston County Probate Court may not have certified copies available. In that case, you should contact the South Carolina Department of Public Health Vital Records Office. The state office holds records for marriages that took place between July 1950 and December 2023. The standard search fee by mail is $12, or $17 for expedited processing through VitalChek.
If your marriage took place before July 1950, the Probate Court's own records from 1879 onward are your best option. You can search the online database to confirm a record exists, then request a copy from the court.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina offers a $50 state income tax credit to couples who complete a qualifying premarital preparation course before they apply for a marriage license. The course must be at least six hours long and taught by a licensed professional counselor or an active member of the clergy. Both people must attend together, not on their own. You must finish the course within 12 months before you apply for the license.
When you submit your Charleston County marriage license application, include proof that you completed the course. The court will note it on your license. This credit is a one-time benefit described in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code. It is not a large amount, but it helps offset the $70 license fee.
Common Questions About Charleston Marriage Licenses
Many couples ask if both people need to be present at the courthouse. With the LOVE online system, neither person needs to visit the office. You both complete the form and upload documents from home. The license arrives by email.
Another frequent question is whether the license works outside of South Carolina. A Charleston County marriage license is valid only for ceremonies held in South Carolina. However, a marriage performed under a valid South Carolina license is recognized in all 50 states. You can use your Charleston County license at any location within the state, not just in Charleston County.
Some people wonder about out-of-state applicants. South Carolina has no residency requirement. You do not need to live in Charleston County or even in South Carolina to apply for a license here. Out-of-state and international couples are welcome to apply as long as they meet the age and ID requirements. If you were previously married, bring your final divorce decree or the death certificate of your former spouse.