Lancaster County South Carolina Marriage License
The Lancaster County Probate Court handles all marriage license requests in Lancaster County, South Carolina. Couples who want to wed can file at this court during normal hours. Staff at the Probate Court walk each pair through the forms and steps. Lancaster County marriage license records go back to 1911. The court also keeps old records on file for those who need a copy of a past marriage. Both locals and out-of-state guests can apply here. If you plan to get a marriage license in this part of the state, the Lancaster County Probate Court is the place to start.
How to Apply in Lancaster County
Both people must go to the Lancaster County Probate Court in person. You cannot send just one person. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport works well. You will also need your Social Security card.
The court staff will hand you a form. Both of you sign it at the desk. South Carolina law says there is a 24-hour wait after you file the form. You cannot pick up the license the same day you apply. Plan for this if your date is close.
Under Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code, the form must sit on file for at least one full day. Once the wait ends, go back to the court. The clerk will hand you the license. It is good for use in all of South Carolina.
Lancaster County License Rules
State law is clear on who can get a license. Both must be at least 16. If one or both are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign a sworn note of consent. The court will want proof of age for any minor. A birth certificate works for this.
There is no blood test. There is no rule that says you must live in Lancaster County. Out-of-state pairs can get a license here. Just bring your photo ID and Social Security card. If you had a past marriage, bring the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse.
Who Can Lead the Ceremony
After you get your Lancaster County marriage license, you still need a person to lead the rites. South Carolina law is strict on this point. Under Section 20-1-20, only these people may do it:
- 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 one who leads the rites must sign the form. They then send it back to the Lancaster County Probate Court. The court files it and sends a copy to the state.
Lancaster Marriage Records and Copies
The Lancaster County Probate Court holds records from 1911 to now. Need a copy? Call the court. You will need to show ID. Give the names on the record and the date of the marriage.
The image below is from the South Carolina State House website, which shows legal and county data tied to marriage license records across the state.
For marriages from July 1950 through December 2023, you can also ask the South Carolina Department of Public Health in Columbia for a copy. The state office charges a $12 search fee by mail or $17 for faster help.
Fees and Payment Details
South Carolina adds a $20 charge on top of the base license fee. This goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375. The full cost can change, so call the Lancaster County Probate Court to get the right number.
Most courts take cash. Some take checks or money orders too. Ask about cards when you call. It helps to check the Lancaster County website for the most up-to-date info on how to pay.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina gives a one-time $50 state tax credit for pairs who take a premarital prep course. The course must last at least six hours. A licensed counselor or an active clergy member must teach it. Both people go to the course at the same time. You must wrap it up within 12 months of your license application.
Bring proof of the course to the Lancaster County Probate Court. Staff will note it on your license. This credit comes from Section 20-1-230 of state law.
State Vital Records for Lancaster County
The screenshot below is from the South Carolina Department of Public Health vital records page, which outlines the process for getting copies of marriage records held at the state level.
After a wedding, the person who led the rites returns the signed form to the Probate Court. The court then files it. One copy goes to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This is required under Section 20-1-340 of state law. It keeps a central log of every marriage in the state.
If you hunt for old family records, the state archives may have them. The Probate Court can also search through its local files for you.
Common Questions About Lancaster Licenses
Can you apply online? Not right now. Both people must show up at the Lancaster County Probate Court. There is no web, mail, or phone option for the license form.
What about the wait? The 24-hour rule is state law. No one can skip it. Apply at least one business day before your planned wedding. The clock starts from the hour the court gets your form.
Does the license work in other states? The license is only for ceremonies in South Carolina. But a marriage done under a valid South Carolina license is recognized in all 50 states. If you lost your certificate, ask the Lancaster County Probate Court or the state vital records office in Columbia for a new certified copy.