Hampton County Marriage License
The Hampton County Probate Court is the local office where couples apply for a marriage license in Hampton County, South Carolina. The court handles all marriage license applications for the area. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 601, Hampton, SC 29924. You can reach the office by phone at 803-943-7507. Staff walk you through the steps and forms when you visit in person. Hampton County is a small, rural county in the southern part of the state. The Probate Court also manages estates and other court matters.
Getting a Hampton County Marriage License
Both people must visit the Hampton County Probate Court together. You cannot send one person alone. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. You will also need your Social Security card. Staff will provide an application form. Both parties sign it at the office.
A 24-hour waiting period is required by state law. You cannot pick up the Hampton County marriage license on the same day you apply. Under Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code, the written application must be on file for at least one full day before the court can issue the license. Plan ahead. Apply at least one business day before your wedding.
After the wait, return to the Probate Court. Show your ID. Pick up the license. It is valid for use anywhere in South Carolina.
Hampton County Marriage License Requirements
State law sets the rules for who can apply. Both people must be at least 16. If either person is under 18, a parent or guardian must sign a sworn affidavit of consent. The court needs proof of age for any minor. A birth certificate or similar document works. These rules come from Section 20-1-250 of the state code.
There is no blood test. There is no residency rule in South Carolina. You do not have to live in Hampton County or in the state. Out-of-state couples can apply here. Bring your photo ID and Social Security card. If you were married before, bring the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse. The Hampton County Probate Court staff can answer your questions about specific documents.
Fees for Hampton County Licenses
South Carolina law adds a $20 fee to every marriage license. This extra amount goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375 of the state code. The total cost varies by county. Call the Hampton County Probate Court at 803-943-7507 to confirm the current fee before your visit.
Most courts accept cash. Some also take money orders or checks. Credit card options depend on the office. Call ahead to check. This saves you time at the courthouse. Bring exact change if you can.
Officiants for Hampton County Ceremonies
After you get the Hampton County marriage license, you still need someone to lead the ceremony. South Carolina law limits who can do this. Under Section 20-1-20, only 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 a wedding.
The officiant signs the license after the ceremony. They must return it to the Hampton County Probate Court within 15 days. The court records the marriage. It then sends a copy to SC DHEC for state records. This process is required by law.
Hampton County Marriage Records
The Hampton County Probate Court keeps marriage records on file. If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, contact the court directly. Bring your ID. Provide the names on the record along with the marriage date. Staff can search through local files for you.
The image below is from the South Carolina Department of Public Health vital records page, which shows how to request marriage certificates from the state office for marriages recorded between 1950 and 2023.
For marriages that took place from July 1950 through December 2023, you can also request a copy from the state office. The South Carolina Division of Vital Records in Columbia charges $12 by mail or $17 for expedited service. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171. You need a completed application form and a copy of your photo ID.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina offers a one-time $50 state income tax credit for couples who finish a qualifying premarital preparation course. The course must be at least six hours. A licensed counselor or active member of the clergy must teach it. Both people attend together. You must complete it within 12 months before applying for the Hampton County marriage license.
Bring proof of completion to the court. Staff will note it on your license. This credit is detailed in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code. It does not reduce the license fee. It applies to your state tax return for the year you get married.
State Records for Hampton County
After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed certificate to the Hampton County Probate Court. The court records it and sends one copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This is required under Section 20-1-340 of state law. It creates a central record of the marriage at the state level.
The following screenshot is from the South Carolina Code of Laws, which covers the full set of rules for marriage license applications, waiting periods, and recording requirements across all counties including Hampton County.
If you are doing family history work, the Hampton County Probate Court may be able to help with searches through older files. You can also check the South Carolina Judicial Department for court information. The state archives hold additional historical records for South Carolina counties.
Hampton County License Questions
Many couples ask if they can apply online. At this time, both people must appear in person at the Hampton County Probate Court. There is no online option. You cannot apply by mail or phone. Both applicants must be present at the same time.
The 24-hour waiting period is another frequent topic. It is set by state law. It cannot be waived. The clock starts from the hour the court receives your application. If you apply at 2:00 PM on Monday, the earliest you can pick up the license is 2:00 PM on Tuesday.
Some couples wonder if the Hampton County marriage license works in other states. The license itself is only valid for ceremonies in South Carolina. However, a marriage performed under a valid South Carolina license is generally recognized in all 50 states. If you plan to marry outside South Carolina, you need a license from that location instead.
If you lost your marriage certificate, you can request a new certified copy. Contact the Hampton County Probate Court or the state vital records office in Columbia. Either office can help you get a replacement.