Lexington County Marriage License Probate Records
The Lexington County Probate Court issues marriage licenses to couples in Lexington County, South Carolina. This court serves the town of Lexington, West Columbia, Cayce, Irmo, and all other spots within the county. A 24-hour waiting period is enforced here by state law. Both locals and guests from out of state can apply. Lexington County marriage license records go back to 1911. The Probate Court keeps files on hand for those who need a certified copy of a past marriage. It is the right place to start if you plan to wed in this area.
How to Apply in Lexington County
Both people must go to the Lexington County Probate Court in person. You cannot send one person by themselves. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport is fine. You also need your Social Security card.
Staff at the court will hand you a form. Both of you sign it at the desk. Then the 24-hour wait kicks in. This wait is strict. You cannot pick up the license the same day you apply. Under Section 20-1-220 of the South Carolina Code, the written form must sit on file for one full day.
Once the time passes, come back to the court. The clerk will give you the license. It is valid for any ceremony held in South Carolina.
Lexington County Marriage Rules
Both parties must be at least 16. If one is under 18, a parent or guardian has to sign a sworn form of consent. The Probate Court will ask for a birth certificate or other proof of age for minors.
No blood test is needed. There is no rule that says you have to live in Lexington County. Out-of-state couples can apply with no extra steps. 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. These rules are set by Section 20-1-250 of the state code.
Ceremony Officials in Lexington County
The license is one step. You still need the right person to lead the rites. South Carolina law says only certain people can do this. Under Section 20-1-20, these people are approved:
- Ministers of the Gospel
- Jewish rabbis
- Officers who can give oaths in the state
- Chief or spiritual leader of a state-recognized Native American Indian group
The person who runs the rites signs the certificate. They must return it to the Lexington County Probate Court. The court files the record and sends a copy to the state.
Lexington County Marriage Records
The Lexington County Probate Court has records from 1911 to the present day. Need a certified copy? Contact the court. You will have to show your ID and give the names on the record along with the marriage date.
The image below is from the Lexington County Probate Court website, which shows local government and court details for Lexington County.
For marriages from July 1950 through December 2023, you can also ask the South Carolina Department of Public Health in Columbia. The state charges $12 by mail or $17 for faster service.
Lexington License Fees
State law adds a $20 charge to the base fee. This goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375. The total cost can change. Call the Lexington County Probate Court to check the exact amount.
Cash works at most courts. Some take checks too. Ask the court about cards. You can also check the Lexington County website for payment details. Plan for two visits since the 24-hour wait means you cannot get the license on the same trip you apply.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina gives a one-time $50 state tax credit to pairs who take a prep course. The course must be at least six hours. A licensed counselor or active clergy member has to teach it. Both people take the class at the same time. You must finish it within 12 months of your application.
Bring proof of the course to the Lexington County Probate Court when you file. Staff will mark it on your license. This credit is in Section 20-1-230 of state law.
State Vital Records for Lexington
After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed certificate to the Probate Court. The court records it. One copy goes to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This is the law under Section 20-1-340. It keeps a central file of all marriages in the state.
Lexington County is home to the town of Lexington, West Columbia, Cayce, and Irmo. Residents of all these places file at the same Probate Court. The South Carolina Judicial Department website has more on how the court system works across the state.
For family history, old records may sit at the state archives. The Probate Court can search through its own files for you as well.
Common Questions for Lexington County
Can you file online? No. Both people must go to the Lexington County Probate Court in person. There is no web form.
What about the wait? The 24-hour rule is state law and cannot be waived. Apply at least one business day before you need the license. The clock starts from the hour the court gets your form.
Is the license good in other states? It is only valid for a ceremony in South Carolina. But a marriage done with a valid South Carolina license is recognized in every state. Lost your certificate? Contact the Lexington County Probate Court or the state vital records office in Columbia for a new certified copy.