Lee County Marriage License Records
The Lee County Probate Court is where couples go to get a marriage license in Lee County, South Carolina. This court follows state law for all license requests. Staff at the court can walk you through the forms and the process. Lee County marriage license records date back to 1911. The Probate Court also stores old records and can give you a certified copy if you need one. Both residents of Lee County and those from out of state may apply. The court is a good first stop for anyone who wants to marry in this part of South Carolina.
Applying for a Lee County License
Both people must visit the Lee County Probate Court in person. You cannot apply alone. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport will work. You also need your Social Security card.
A clerk will hand you a form. Both of you sign it at the desk. After that, the wait starts. South Carolina law says you must wait 24 hours from the time you file. You cannot pick up the license the same day.
This rule comes from Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code. Once the day passes, go back to the court. The clerk will give you the license. It is valid at any spot in South Carolina.
Lee County License Requirements
You must be at least 16 to marry in South Carolina. If one or both people are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign a sworn form of consent. The court needs proof of age for any minor. A birth certificate is the best choice.
No blood test is needed. You do not have to live in Lee County or in the state at all. Couples from other states can apply here. Bring photo ID and your Social Security card. If you had a prior marriage, you must bring the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. These rules are in Section 20-1-250 of the state code.
Who May Officiate in Lee County
The license is just one piece. You still need the right person to run the rites. State law says only a few types of people can do this. Under Section 20-1-20, these are the approved officials:
- Ministers of the Gospel
- Jewish rabbis
- Officers allowed to give oaths in South Carolina
- Chief or spiritual leader of a state-recognized Native American Indian group
The one who leads the rites signs the certificate. They send it back to the Lee County Probate Court. The court files the record.
Lee County Marriage Records
The Lee County Probate Court has records from 1911 to the present. If you need a certified copy of a marriage certificate, call the court. You will need your ID. Give the names on the record and the date of the marriage. The court staff will pull the file for you.
The image below is from the Lee County Probate Court website, which lists local court and government details for Lee County.
For marriages from July 1950 through December 2023, you can also write to the South Carolina Department of Public Health. The state charges $12 by mail. Faster service costs $17.
Lee County License Fees
State law adds a $20 fee on top of the base cost. This extra charge goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375. The total can shift, so call the Lee County Probate Court before you go.
Cash is the safest bet. Some courts take checks or money orders. Ask about card payments when you call. The Lee County website may have more details on how to pay. Keep in mind that the 24-hour wait means two trips to the court.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
Couples in South Carolina can get a one-time $50 state tax credit. You must take a premarital prep course that lasts at least six hours. A licensed counselor or a clergy member must teach it. Both of you attend at the same time. The course must end within 12 months of your license application.
Bring your proof to the Lee County Probate Court when you apply. The staff will mark it on your license. This credit is found in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code.
State Records for Lee County
After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed form to the Probate Court. The court logs it. One copy goes to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This step is required by Section 20-1-340 of state law. It keeps a central file of every marriage in the state.
Old Lee County records may also sit at the state archives. For family history research, the Probate Court can help you search through their local files as well.
Common Questions About Lee County
Can you apply online? No. Both people must go to the Lee County Probate Court. There is no web, mail, or phone option.
Can anyone skip the wait? No. The 24-hour rule is set by state law. Plan to apply at least one day before your ceremony. The clock starts the moment the court gets your form.
Does the license work out of state? It is only good for rites held in South Carolina. A marriage done here with a valid license is recognized in all 50 states though. If you lost your certificate, ask the Lee County Probate Court or the state office in Columbia for a certified copy.