Newberry County Marriage License
Newberry County is in the central part of South Carolina. The Newberry County Probate Court is the office that handles marriage license applications for the county. It is at the Newberry County Courthouse. Both residents and visitors may apply for a license at this court. Staff will help you with the forms and tell you what to bring. Newberry County marriage license records date back to 1911. The court keeps certified copies on file as well. If you need a copy of your marriage certificate in the future, the Probate Court can provide one. This page covers the steps, rules, and records tied to getting a marriage license in Newberry County.
Newberry County Marriage License Steps
Both people must go to the Newberry County Probate Court in person. You cannot send just one person. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. You will also need your Social Security card.
At the court, staff hand you the application form. Both parties fill it out and sign it in front of court staff. South Carolina law requires a 24-hour wait after the form is filed. Under Section 20-1-220 of the state code, the court cannot release the license until at least one full day has passed since filing. This means you cannot get the license on the same day you apply.
After the wait, return to the Probate Court. Pick up the license. It is valid for a ceremony held at any place in South Carolina.
Eligibility for a Newberry County License
State law says both people must be at least 16 years old. If one or both are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must give sworn consent. The court will need a birth certificate or similar proof of age for any minor.
There is no blood test in South Carolina. There is no residency rule. You do not have to live in Newberry County or anywhere in the state. Couples from out of state can walk in and apply with no extra steps. Bring your photo ID and Social Security card. If you had a prior marriage that ended, bring a final divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse. The Probate Court needs these to confirm you can legally wed.
Wedding Officiants in Newberry County
Getting the license is only part of the process. Someone must lead the ceremony. South Carolina law sets clear rules on who can do this. Under Section 20-1-20, only the following people may officiate a wedding in this state:
- Ministers of the Gospel
- Jewish rabbis
- Officers authorized to administer oaths in South Carolina
- A chief or spiritual leader of a Native American Indian group recognized by the state
The officiant signs the marriage certificate after the ceremony. That signed certificate must be returned to the Newberry County Probate Court. The court then records it and sends a copy to the state.
Newberry County Marriage Records
The Newberry County Probate Court has kept marriage records since 1911. If you need a certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact the court. You will have to show ID. Provide the full names on the record and the date of the marriage.
The screenshot below is from the Newberry County government website, which provides Probate Court contact details and lists services for marriage license applicants in the county.
For marriages that took place between July 1950 and December 2023, you may also contact the South Carolina Department of Public Health. The state office charges $12 by mail or $17 for faster processing. Records from before or after that window must come from the Probate Court.
Older records may also be held at the South Carolina state archives for those doing family history work.
Newberry County License Fees
A $20 surcharge is added to every marriage license fee in South Carolina. This extra charge goes to the Domestic Violence Fund under Section 20-1-375 of the state code. The total amount you pay may vary, so call the Newberry County Probate Court for the current fee before you go.
Cash is the most common form of payment. Some courts also accept money orders or checks. Credit card acceptance depends on the office. Call ahead to find out. Remember that the 24-hour waiting period is firm, so plan to make two trips to the court.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina gives a one-time $50 state income tax credit to couples who complete a qualifying premarital preparation course before they apply for a license. The course must be at least six hours and taught by a licensed counselor or member of the clergy. Both parties must take the course together.
Complete the course within 12 months before your application. Bring proof to the Newberry County Probate Court when you file. The court will note it on your license. This credit is set out in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.
State Records for Newberry County
After any wedding in Newberry County, the officiant must return the signed certificate to the Probate Court. The court records it and sends a copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This is required by Section 20-1-340 of the state code. It builds a central file of all marriages in South Carolina.
Family history researchers may find older records at the state archives. The Probate Court is also a good resource. Many people start their search at the county level and then check state records if they need more.
Newberry County License Questions
Can you apply online? No. Both parties must appear at the Newberry County Probate Court in person. There is no option to file by mail or phone.
Is the 24-hour wait strict? Yes. State law sets this rule. It applies in all 46 counties. The clock starts from the time the court receives the signed application.
Can you use the license in another state? No. A Newberry County marriage license is only good for a ceremony held in South Carolina. But once married here, the union is recognized across all 50 states. If you lose your marriage certificate, ask the Probate Court or the state vital records office in Columbia for a certified copy.