Georgetown County Marriage License Records
Georgetown County is one of only two counties in South Carolina where the Clerk of Court issues marriage licenses instead of the Probate Court. This is set by Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code. The Clerk of Court office is in the town of Georgetown, the county seat. Couples who want to marry here file their application at that office. Georgetown County marriage license records are kept on file and certified copies are available on request. If you plan to wed or need a past record, the Clerk of Court office is where to begin.
How to Apply in Georgetown County
Both people must go to the Georgetown County Clerk of Court office together. You cannot send one person alone. This is different from most South Carolina counties, where you would go to the Probate Court. In Georgetown County, the Clerk of Court handles all marriage license applications.
Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport works. You also need your Social Security card. The staff will give you a form. Both parties sign it on the spot.
State law requires a 24-hour wait after the form is filed. You cannot get the license on the same day. Come back after the wait to pick it up. The license is valid for use anywhere in South Carolina.
Georgetown Clerk of Court Contact
The Georgetown County Clerk of Court handles marriage licenses under Judge Leigh Powers Boan. You can reach the office by phone or mail to ask questions before your visit.
- Phone: (843) 545-3274
- Fax: (843) 545-3512
- Mail: PO Box 421270, Georgetown, SC 29442
Call ahead to check hours. The office can tell you the current fee and what to bring. Walk-ins are welcome during normal hours, but it is smart to call first.
Georgetown County License Requirements
Both people must be at least 16 years old. If either is under 18, a parent or guardian must give sworn consent. The office will need proof of age for any minor, such as a birth certificate. These rules are part of Section 20-1-250 of the state code.
South Carolina has no blood test rule and no residency rule. You do not have to live in Georgetown County or in the state. Couples from other states can apply here as long as they meet the basic age and ID rules. If you were married before, bring your final divorce decree. If your prior spouse died, bring a death certificate.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Once you have the license, you still need someone to lead the wedding. State law limits who can do this. Under Section 20-1-20, the following people may officiate a marriage in South Carolina:
- Ministers of the Gospel
- Jewish rabbis
- Officers authorized to give oaths in the state
- Chief or spiritual leader of a state-recognized Native American Indian group
The officiant must sign the certificate after the ceremony and return it to the Georgetown County Clerk of Court. The Clerk then records it and sends a copy to the state vital records office.
Georgetown Marriage Record Copies
The Clerk of Court keeps marriage records on file. If you need a certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact the office. You will need to show ID and provide the names on the record plus the date of the marriage.
The screenshot below is from the South Carolina State House website, showing the state laws that cover marriage license procedures. Section 20-1-220 names Georgetown County as one of the counties where the Clerk of Court issues licenses.
This section of the code is important because it shows that Georgetown County follows a different process than most counties. Couples should go to the Clerk of Court, not the Probate Judge, to start their application.
Fees for Georgetown Licenses
State law adds a $20 surcharge to every marriage license. This goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375. The total cost may vary, so call the Clerk of Court at (843) 545-3274 to check the current fee.
Most offices accept cash. Some take checks or money orders as well. Ask about credit cards when you call. Keep in mind that you will visit twice: once to file and once to pick up the license after the 24-hour wait.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina offers a one-time $50 state income tax credit if you complete a premarital preparation course. The course must be at least six hours long. A licensed counselor or active member of the clergy can teach it. Both people must attend together. You have to finish the course within 12 months before applying for the license.
When you file at the Georgetown County Clerk of Court, bring proof of course completion. The office notes it on your license. This benefit is laid out in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code.
State Records for Georgetown Marriages
After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed certificate to the Clerk of Court. The office records it and sends a copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This process is required by Section 20-1-340.
The image below is from the South Carolina Department of Public Health website, which explains how to order marriage certificate copies from the state office.
For marriages from July 1950 through December 2023, you can request a copy from the state office in Columbia. The fee is $12 by mail or $17 for expedited service. You need a photo ID and the names and date of the marriage to make the request.
Georgetown County License Questions
Can you apply online? No. Both parties must go in person to the Georgetown County Clerk of Court. There is no online, mail, or phone application.
Why is Georgetown County different? State law names Georgetown and Darlington as the two counties where the Clerk of Court, not the Probate Judge, issues marriage licenses. The process and rules are the same, but the office is different.
Can the wait be waived? No. The 24-hour rule is set by state law and cannot be shortened.
Does the license work outside South Carolina? The license is only valid for ceremonies held in the state. However, a marriage performed under a valid South Carolina license is recognized in all 50 states.
What if you lost your certificate? Contact the Georgetown County Clerk of Court or the state vital records office in Columbia. You will need ID and the names and date on the record.