Dillon County Marriage Records
The Dillon County Probate Court processes all marriage license requests in Dillon County, South Carolina. Couples who want to marry in or near Dillon County start at this office. The Probate Court staff can walk you through each step in the process. Dillon County marriage license records go back to 1911, when the county was formed. The court keeps copies of all filed certificates on site. Both residents and visitors from out of state may apply here. If you need a copy of an old marriage certificate, the Probate Court can search its files for you. Visit the Dillon County government website for hours and directions.
How to Apply for a Dillon County Marriage License
Both people must go to the Dillon County Probate Court in person to apply. One person cannot file alone. You will need a valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport works fine. Bring your Social Security card as well. The court clerk will give you a short form to fill out. Both of you must sign it at the counter.
South Carolina law requires a 24-hour waiting period after you submit the form. You cannot get your Dillon County marriage license on the same day you apply. Plan to visit the office at least one full day before you need the license. Under Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code, the application must sit on file for a minimum of 24 hours before the court can release the license to you.
After the wait, come back to the Probate Court to pick up the signed license. It is valid for use at any location in the state.
Dillon County Marriage License Eligibility
State law sets the rules for who can get a marriage license. Both people must be at least 16 years old. If either person is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form in front of the court clerk. The Probate Court will ask for a birth certificate or other proof of age for any minor.
There is no blood test needed. South Carolina does not require you to live in Dillon County or anywhere in the state. Couples from North Carolina, Georgia, or any other state can apply here with no extra steps. Bring your photo ID and Social Security card. If you had a past marriage, bring the final divorce papers or a death certificate for the former spouse. These documents help the clerk confirm you are free to marry.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding
Getting the license is just the first step. You still need someone to lead the ceremony. South Carolina law is clear on who can do this. Under Section 20-1-20, only certain people may officiate:
- Ministers of the Gospel
- Jewish rabbis
- Officers who can give oaths in South Carolina
- Chief or spiritual leader of a state-recognized Native American Indian group
The officiant must sign the marriage certificate right after the ceremony. They then send it to the Dillon County Probate Court for recording. The court files a copy and sends one to the state vital records office in Columbia.
Dillon County Marriage Records and Copies
The Dillon County Probate Court holds marriage records from 1911 to the present. If you need a certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact the court. You will need to show ID. Give the clerk the names on the record and the date of the marriage.
The screenshot below is from the South Carolina Code of Laws and shows the state rules that apply to Dillon County marriage license records.
You can also request copies through the South Carolina Department of Public Health for marriages from July 1950 through December 2023. The state charges a search fee by mail or a higher fee for rush service. Older records may be found at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
Dillon County Marriage License Fees and Payment
Every marriage license in South Carolina includes a $20 surcharge that goes to the state Domestic Violence Fund. This amount is on top of the base license fee. The total cost can vary. Call the Dillon County Probate Court to confirm the current fee before you visit.
Cash is accepted at most courts. Some also take money orders or personal checks. Credit card use depends on the office. Check the Dillon County website or call ahead for the latest payment details.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina gives a one-time $50 state income tax credit to couples who finish a qualifying premarital preparation course. The course must last at least six hours. A licensed counselor or active member of the clergy must teach it. Both people must attend together. You need to complete the course within 12 months before you apply for the marriage license.
Bring proof of the course when you visit the Dillon County Probate Court. The clerk will note it on your license. This benefit is spelled out in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.
State Vital Records for Dillon County
After a ceremony, the officiant must return the signed certificate to the Probate Court. The court records it and sends a copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This step is required under state law. It creates a central file for every marriage in South Carolina.
The image below is from the South Carolina Department of Public Health, which handles state-level marriage certificate requests.
If you are tracing family roots, older Dillon County marriage records may be held at the state archives. The Probate Court can also search its own files for local records.
Common Questions About Dillon County Marriages
Can you apply online? Not right now. Both people must appear in person at the Dillon County Probate Court. There is no mail or phone option for the marriage license form.
Can the 24-hour wait be waived? No. State law sets this rule and the Probate Court cannot skip it. Plan ahead so the wait does not conflict with your wedding date. The clock starts from the exact hour the court gets your form.
Does a Dillon County marriage license work in other states? The license is only good for a ceremony held in South Carolina. However, a marriage that takes place under a valid South Carolina license is recognized across all 50 states.
What if you lost your certificate? Request a new certified copy from the Dillon County Probate Court or from the state vital records office in Columbia.