Greenville County Marriage License
The Greenville County Probate Court handles all marriage license applications for couples who want to marry in South Carolina. The Marriage License Division sits in Suite N-T100 at Greenville County Square, 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601. Staff accept walk-in visits and online applications. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. It closes on most major holidays. You can call 864-467-7571 or 864-467-7468 for questions. You can also email probatemarriage@greenvillecounty.org for help.
The Honorable Debora Faulkner serves as Probate Judge for Greenville County. The court describes its marriage license work as "our happy department." It is one of the busiest offices of its kind in the state. Greenville County marriage license records go back to 1911. You can request copies by walking into the office or by mail. The Probate Court also handles estate matters, involuntary commitments, and protection of incapacitated adults.
Greenville County Marriage License Steps
Both people must take part in the process. You can apply in person or online. The Greenville County Probate Court marriage license page explains both options. In person, both applicants visit Suite N-T100 together. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security card. If you do not have an SSN card, a letter from the Social Security Administration office will work in its place.
The online path starts with a Marriage License Worksheet. You fill in the required details on the form. At the end, you pay the fee online. Then you upload each person's photo ID and Social Security card. After the office gets everything, staff prepare the application. They email it to the address on the worksheet. Both people must sign the application and a verification form before a licensed notary public.
Once the signed forms come back, the office reviews them. If all is in order, the license is issued. For in-person pickup, one applicant shows photo ID at the office. Pickup hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30.
Greenville County Marriage License Fees
The cost depends on where you live. Here are the current fees at the Greenville County Probate Court:
- Greenville County resident: $45
- South Carolina resident outside Greenville County: $75
- Out-of-state or out-of-country couple: $95
- Correction fee for errors on the license: $6.75
- Keepsake folder: $2
- Certified copy of the marriage certificate: $5
A portion of each fee goes to the South Carolina Domestic Violence Fund. This is required under Section 20-1-375 of the state code. The extra $20 is built into the total. Call the office to confirm payment methods before your visit.
Waiting Period and Timing
South Carolina law requires a 24-hour waiting period. The clock starts when the application is filed. No license can be issued before 24 hours pass. This rule is strict. It cannot be waived for any reason. If your wedding is on a Saturday, the latest you should begin is the Tuesday before. The Greenville County office suggests starting two weeks early. This gives time for any unknowns.
The following image is from the Greenville County Probate Court marriage license page, which shows the full application process and requirements for a Greenville County marriage license.
The license is valid statewide once issued. You can hold your ceremony anywhere in South Carolina. However, a Greenville County marriage license is not valid for a ceremony held outside South Carolina. Plan your location before you apply.
Who Can Officiate in Greenville County
The Greenville County Probate Court does not perform wedding ceremonies. You must find your own officiant. Under Section 20-1-20 of the South Carolina Code, only certain people can lead a ceremony. Ministers of the Gospel, Jewish rabbis, officers authorized to give oaths in the state, and the chief or spiritual leader of a recognized Native American Indian group may officiate. It is a misdemeanor to hold a ceremony without a valid marriage license.
After the wedding, the officiant signs the license. The license has three identical copies. One goes to the spouses. One goes to the Greenville County Probate Court. One goes to SC DHEC. The officiant must return the court and DHEC copies within 15 days of the ceremony. Sign the license using the same name you used on the application. Do not use a new last name on the license, even if you plan to change it after marriage.
Greenville County Marriage License Requirements
Both applicants must be at least 16 years old. If either person is 16 or 17, a parent or guardian must provide a sworn affidavit of consent. The Probate Court needs a birth certificate or other proof of age for any minor. This rule is set by Section 20-1-250 of the state code.
You need a valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport works. You also need your Social Security card. If you lost your card or do not have one, a letter from the SSA office is acceptable. If you were married before, bring a final divorce decree or the death certificate for the prior spouse. There is no blood test. There is no residency requirement. Out-of-state couples can apply at the Greenville County Probate Court as long as they meet these basic rules.
Greenville County Marriage Records
The image below is from the Simple Civics Greenville County page, which covers the role of the Probate Judge and court functions including marriage license services in Greenville County.
The Greenville County Probate Court has marriage records from 1911 to the present. You can request a certified copy in person or by mail. Bring your ID and provide the names on the record and the date of the marriage. A certified copy costs $5. These records are public and anyone can request them.
For marriages that took place between July 1950 and December 2023, you can also order a copy from the South Carolina Department of Public Health in Columbia. The state office charges $12 by mail or $17 for expedited service through VitalChek. Contact them at 803-898-3630.
Premarital Preparation Course Credit
South Carolina offers a $50 state income tax credit for couples who complete a premarital preparation course before getting their license. The course must be at least six hours. It must be taught by a licensed counselor or active member of the clergy. Both people take the course together. You must finish it within 12 months before your application date.
Bring proof of completion to the Greenville County Probate Court when you apply. The court notes it on your license. This credit is a one-time benefit. It is described in Section 20-1-230 of the state code. It does not reduce the license fee. It applies to your state tax return for the year you marry.
Ceremony Rules in South Carolina
A ceremony is required. South Carolina does not allow you to skip it. You must have an authorized person officiate. The ceremony can be simple. It can be at a church, a park, a home, or any other location in South Carolina. Your Greenville County marriage license works at any venue within the state.
The screenshot below is from Weddings by Sonita, a resource that covers practical steps for getting a marriage license in Greenville County and answers common questions about the process.
After the ceremony, the signed license goes back to the Greenville County Probate Court. The court records the marriage and sends a copy to SC DHEC. This must happen within 15 days. Once recorded, you have an official marriage record on file in Greenville County.
Common Questions About Greenville Licenses
Many couples ask about the online option. Yes, you can start the process online through the Marriage License Worksheet. The steps are simple. Fill out the worksheet, pay the fee, upload your documents, then sign the notarized forms. The office handles the rest. This saves a trip if you live far from the courthouse.
Another frequent question is about the waiting period. It is 24 hours. No exceptions. The time runs from the moment the office receives your completed application. Plan for at least one full business day between applying and picking up the license.
Some couples wonder if they need a ceremony. They do. South Carolina law requires one. The Probate Court does not perform ceremonies. You must arrange your own officiant. If you need help finding one, local wedding planners and religious organizations can assist.
A Greenville County marriage license is valid anywhere in South Carolina. It is not valid outside the state. If you plan a destination wedding, check the rules of that state or country. A marriage performed under a valid South Carolina license is generally recognized in all 50 states once recorded.