Pickens County Marriage License Filing Guide
The Pickens County Probate Court issues marriage licenses for couples in Pickens County, South Carolina. This court sits in the town of Pickens and serves the entire county, which includes Easley, Liberty, and Central. Both people must visit the office in person to start the process. The Probate Court staff will help you fill out the forms and explain what you need. Pickens County marriage license records go back to 1911. The court has certified copies on file for those who need them later. Whether you live in the area or are planning a trip here for a wedding, the Probate Court is where you begin.
How to Get a Pickens County License
Both parties must go to the Pickens County Probate Court together. The court is at 222 McDaniel Avenue, B-16, Pickens, SC 29671. You can call the office at (864) 898-5903. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport works. You also need your Social Security card. Both people must show these at the counter. The cost is $35, and the court takes cash.
South Carolina law requires a 24-hour wait after you file the form. Under Section 20-1-220 of the state code, the Probate Court cannot issue the license on the same day you apply. You must come back the next day or later. The Pickens County marriage license is valid for use at any spot in South Carolina.
Pickens County License Requirements
State law sets the rules for who can get a marriage license. Both people must be at least 16. If one or both are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign a sworn form of consent at the court. The court will need a birth certificate or other age proof for any minor. These rules are in Section 20-1-250 of the state code.
South Carolina has no blood test rule. There is no residency rule. You do not have to live in Pickens County to apply here. Couples from out of state are welcome. If you were married before, bring a final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse.
Pickens County Marriage Records
The Pickens County Probate Court has kept marriage records since 1911. If you need a certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact the court. You will need to show ID and give the names on the record along with the date of the marriage.
The image below is from the South Carolina Code of Laws, which sets out the rules that govern marriage license applications in Pickens County and all other counties in the state.
For marriages from July 1950 through December 2023, you can also get a copy from the South Carolina Department of Public Health in Columbia. The state charges a $12 search fee by mail or $17 for rush service. Older records may be at the state archives.
Who Can Officiate the Ceremony
After you pick up the Pickens County marriage license, someone must lead the ceremony. South Carolina law limits who can do this. Under Section 20-1-20, only the following 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 Pickens County Probate Court for recording. The court sends a copy to the state vital records office.
Pickens County License Fees and Payment
The marriage license fee in Pickens County is $35. Cash is the accepted form of payment. 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 $35 fee includes this surcharge.
Call the Pickens County Probate Court at (864) 898-5903 if you have questions about payment. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Plan to visit at least one day before you need the license so the 24-hour wait does not delay your wedding.
Pickens County Premarital Course Credit
South Carolina offers a one-time $50 state income tax credit for couples who complete a qualifying premarital preparation course. The course must last at least six hours. A licensed counselor or an active member of the clergy must lead it. 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 Pickens County Probate Court. The court notes it on your license. This credit is set out in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.
State Vital Records for Pickens County
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 step is required under Section 20-1-340 of state law. It ensures a central record of every marriage in the state.
The screenshot below is from the South Carolina Department of Public Health, which explains how to request certified copies of marriage certificates from the state vital records office.
Family history researchers may find older Pickens County marriage records at the state archives. The Probate Court can also help with local file searches. County records go back to 1911, and statewide registration began in July 1950.
Common Questions About Pickens Licenses
Can you apply online? No. Both people must go to the Pickens County Probate Court in person. There is no online or mail option.
Can the 24-hour wait be waived? No. State law sets this rule for every county. Apply at least one business day before your ceremony.
Does the license work in other states? It is valid only for ceremonies held in South Carolina. A marriage performed under a valid South Carolina license is recognized across all 50 states. If you lost your certificate, request a certified copy from the Pickens County Probate Court or the state vital records office in Columbia.
How long is the license valid? South Carolina law does not set a firm end date on the marriage license once it is issued. Still, it is best to use it within a short time after you get it.