Edgefield County Marriage License Info
The Edgefield County Probate Court is where couples apply for a marriage license in Edgefield County, South Carolina. This small county sits along the western edge of the state, near the Savannah River. The Probate Court follows standard South Carolina state law for all marriage license matters. Staff at the courthouse can walk you through the forms and steps. Edgefield County marriage license records are stored at the Probate Court. Both residents and visitors may apply here with no residency rule. For office hours and contact details, check the Edgefield County government website.
Applying for a Marriage License in Edgefield County
Both people must visit the Edgefield County Probate Court together. You cannot send only one person. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. You will also need your Social Security card. The clerk hands you a form to fill out. Both parties sign it at the counter in front of staff.
South Carolina law requires a 24-hour wait after you file. This rule is found in Section 20-1-220 of the state code. The application must sit on file for one full day before the Probate Court can release the license. You cannot pick it up on the same day you apply. Plan your visit so this wait does not cut into your ceremony date.
Once the waiting period ends, return to the court. The staff will hand you your Edgefield County marriage license. It is valid across all of South Carolina.
Edgefield County Marriage License Rules
State law sets the eligibility rules. Both people must be at least 16. If either person is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must appear at the Probate Court and sign a consent form under oath. The court needs a birth certificate or other proof of age for any minor. These requirements are part of the South Carolina Code.
No blood test is required. There is no residency rule in this state. You do not have to live in Edgefield County or even in South Carolina to get a license here. Couples from nearby Aiken, Augusta, or anywhere else are welcome to apply. If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. The clerk uses these documents to confirm you are free to marry again.
Who Can Perform the Wedding
After you get your license, you need an officiant. South Carolina law is specific about who can lead a wedding ceremony. Under Section 20-1-20, only these people may officiate:
- Ministers of the Gospel
- Jewish rabbis
- Officers who may administer oaths in South Carolina
- Chief or spiritual leader of a Native American Indian group recognized by the state
- Any other person granted authority under state statute
The officiant signs the marriage certificate at the ceremony. They then return it to the Edgefield County Probate Court for recording.
Edgefield Marriage Records and Certified Copies
The Edgefield County Probate Court stores marriage records on site. If you need a certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact the court. Show your ID and provide the names on the record along with the marriage date.
The screenshot below is from the South Carolina Code of Laws, which governs all marriage license procedures in Edgefield County.
For marriages from July 1950 through December 2023, you can also request a copy from the South Carolina Department of Public Health in Columbia. The state office charges a fee for mail requests and more for rush service. Family history researchers may find older Edgefield County records at the state archives.
Marriage License Fees in Edgefield County
South Carolina adds a $20 surcharge to every marriage license fee. This money goes to the state Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375. The total cost varies by county. Call the Edgefield County Probate Court to get the exact amount before you visit.
Most courts take cash. Some accept checks or money orders too. Credit card options depend on the specific office. It is best to call or visit the Edgefield County website for up-to-date payment info. Remember that you will need to make two trips due to the waiting period, so plan your time and budget with that in mind.
Premarital Preparation Course Credit
South Carolina offers a one-time $50 state income tax credit for couples who finish a premarital preparation course. The course must be at least six hours long. A licensed counselor or active member of the clergy must run it. Both people take the course together.
You must complete it within 12 months before applying for the marriage license. Bring your proof of completion to the Edgefield County Probate Court when you file. The clerk will note it on the license. This credit is detailed in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. It is a small benefit, but it helps offset wedding costs.
State Records for Edgefield County Marriages
After a wedding, the officiant must file the signed certificate with the Edgefield County Probate Court. The court records it and forwards a copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This is required under Section 20-1-340 of state law. It keeps a central record for every marriage in the state.
Below is a screenshot from the VitalChek website, which offers an online option for ordering South Carolina vital records, including Edgefield County marriage certificates.
If you are doing genealogy work, the Probate Court can help search local files. The state archives in Columbia may hold older Edgefield County marriage records that are no longer at the courthouse.
Common Questions About Edgefield Marriage Licenses
Can I apply online? No. Both people must go to the Edgefield County Probate Court in person. Phone and mail options are not available for marriage license forms.
Is the wait period required? Yes. The 24-hour rule is set by state law. The Probate Court has no power to waive it. The clock starts the moment the court receives your form. Apply at least one business day before you need the license in hand.
Will my license work in another state? The Edgefield County marriage license is only valid for a ceremony in South Carolina. But a marriage performed here under a valid license is recognized in every state. Couples often ask this when they plan to move soon after the wedding.
Edgefield County sits near the Georgia border. Couples from Augusta and the surrounding area sometimes choose to get their license here. The process is the same for residents and visitors alike. No extra steps are needed for out-of-state applicants.