Oconee County Marriage License
The Oconee County Probate Court handles marriage license applications for couples in Oconee County, South Carolina. This court is in Walhalla, the county seat, and serves the full county. Both people must visit the office in person. Staff at the Probate Court will walk you through the forms and help with each step. Oconee County sits in the northwest corner of the state, near the Blue Ridge foothills. Marriage license records in Oconee County date back to 1911. The court keeps certified copies on file for those who need them at a later date. If you plan to wed in or near Oconee County, this court is where you begin.
How to Get an Oconee County License
Both parties must go to the Oconee County Probate Court together. You cannot send one person alone. The court is at 415 S. Pine St., Room 202, Walhalla, SC 29691. The mailing address is PO Box 471, Walhalla, SC 29691. You can reach the office by phone at (864) 638-4275.
Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport works. You will also need your Social Security card. Both people must show these at the office.
South Carolina law requires a 24-hour wait after you file the form. Under Section 20-1-220 of the state code, the court cannot hand you the license on the same day you apply. Come back the next day or later to pick it up. The Oconee County marriage license is valid for use at any location in South Carolina.
Oconee County License Requirements
State law sets the rules. Both people must be at least 16. If one or both are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign a sworn consent form at the court. The court will also need a birth certificate or other proof of age for any minor.
There is no blood test in South Carolina. There is no rule that says you must live in Oconee County or in the state. Couples from out of state can apply with no extra steps. If you were married before, bring a final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse. The court must see proof that the old marriage ended before it can process a new one.
Oconee County Marriage License Fees
The Events For You website lists the fees for Oconee County. The cost is $30 for South Carolina residents. Non-residents pay $45. South Carolina law adds a $20 surcharge to all marriage license fees under Section 20-1-375. That amount goes to the Domestic Violence Fund. The fees listed above include this surcharge.
The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call ahead to ask about payment methods. Most courts take cash. Some also accept checks or money orders.
Keep the 24-hour wait in mind when you plan your trip. Apply at least one business day before you need the license in hand.
Oconee County Marriage Records
The Oconee County Probate Court has kept marriage records since 1911. If you need a certified copy of a marriage certificate, call the court or visit in person. You will need to show ID and give the names on the record and the date of the marriage.
The image below is from the Oconee County government website, which shows details about the Probate Court and its role in processing marriage license applications.
For marriages from July 1950 through December 2023, you can also request a copy from the South Carolina Department of Public Health in Columbia. The state office charges a $12 search fee by mail or $17 for expedited service.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
After you pick up the Oconee County marriage license, someone must lead the ceremony. South Carolina law limits who can do this. Under Section 20-1-20, only these people may officiate:
- 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 person who leads the ceremony must sign the marriage certificate. They then return it to the Oconee County Probate Court for recording.
Oconee County Premarital Course Credit
South Carolina offers a one-time $50 state income tax credit for couples who complete a qualifying premarital course. The course must last at least six hours. It can be taught by a licensed counselor or a member of the clergy. Both people take the course together.
You must finish the course within 12 months before you apply for the license. Bring proof when you visit the Oconee County Probate Court. The court will note it on your license. This credit is set out in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code.
State Records for Oconee Marriages
After the ceremony, the officiant returns 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 state law. It keeps a central record of every marriage in the state.
The screenshot below is from the Events For You website, which lists Oconee County Probate Court contact details and marriage license fee information for couples planning to wed.
Family history researchers may find older Oconee County marriage records at the state archives. The Probate Court can also help with searches through their local files. Statewide marriage registration began in July 1950, but the county has records going back to 1911.
Common Questions About Oconee Licenses
Can you apply online? No. Both people must appear in person at the Oconee County Probate Court. There is no online, mail, or phone option.
Can the 24-hour wait be waived? No. The rule is set by state law and applies to all counties. Apply at least one business day before your ceremony. The clock starts when the court gets your form.
Does the license work in other states? The license is valid only for ceremonies in South Carolina. A marriage held under a valid South Carolina license is recognized in all 50 states. If you lose your certificate, contact the Oconee County Probate Court or the state vital records office for a certified copy.