Richland County Marriage License
The Richland County Probate Court handles all marriage license work for the county. It sits at the county seat in Columbia, the state capital. Couples who want to wed in South Carolina can file through this court. Richland County stands out from most other counties in the state. The full process runs through an online system. You do not go in person to apply. Staff will review your forms and mail the license to you once the state wait time has passed. The Probate Court also keeps records of past marriages on file. These records go back more than a hundred years. If you need a copy of a past certificate, the court can help with that too.
How to Apply in Richland County
Richland County uses an online-only system. There is no way to apply at the counter. Both people fill out the form on the Richland County Probate Court website. You will upload your ID and proof of your Social Security number as part of the form. Pay with a debit or credit card. No other forms of payment are taken.
After the court gets your form, staff will check it. If something is missing, they will send an email to ask for more info. Once the form is complete, the 24-hour wait starts. This wait is set by state law. It cannot be skipped. After the wait, your license is mailed to the address you gave on the form.
Plan ahead. The mail takes time on top of the wait. If your wedding is soon, file your form as early as you can.
Richland County Marriage License Fees
The filing fee is $45.24. You pay this when you submit the online form. Richland County takes debit and credit cards only. Cash, checks, and money orders are not options here. The fee is not refundable. If your form is turned down for any reason, you will not get the money back.
A certified copy of a marriage certificate costs $8. You can order copies through the same online portal. Allow two business days for the court to process your copy request. Copies are mailed to you.
Documents You Need to Apply
Each person must upload two things. First, a photo ID. The court takes these forms of ID:
- A valid driver's license from any state
- A state-issued ID card
- A military ID that shows your name and date of birth
- A valid passport
Second, you need proof of your Social Security number. The court will take your SSN card, page one of a tax return that shows your name and SSN, or a W-2 form with the same info. Non-citizens must provide a valid passport and a current VISA.
Make sure your uploads are clear and easy to read. Blurry scans can slow things down.
Richland County License Rules
You do not have to live in Richland County or in South Carolina to apply. There is no blood test. Both people must be 18 or older to wed on their own. If one person is 16 or 17, a parent or legal guardian must give consent. The minor and the parent must both show up at the Probate Court in person after the 24-hour wait. This is the one case where you must go in person.
You cannot apply if you are still in a legal marriage. This includes common-law marriage. You must have a final divorce order that was signed by a judge and filed with the Clerk of Court before you can start a new marriage license form.
The license is good for six months from the date it is issued. If six months pass and no ceremony has taken place, you must start over with a new form. Once the license is signed, it is valid even if the return to the court happens after six months. The license works anywhere in South Carolina. It does not work outside the state.
Richland County Probate Court Details
The screenshot below is from the Richland County Probate Court page, which shows court info and services for marriage licenses.
The Probate Court is at 1701 Main St, 2nd Floor, Ste 207, Columbia, SC 29201. The mailing address is PO Box 288, Columbia, SC 29202. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is 803-576-1961. While the license process is online, you can call with questions.
Who Can Lead the Wedding
After you get your license, you still need someone to perform the ceremony. South Carolina law is strict on this. Under Section 20-1-20, only these people may officiate: ministers of the Gospel, Jewish rabbis, officers who can give oaths in the state, and the chief or spiritual leader of a state-recognized Native American Indian group.
The officiant signs the marriage certificate after the ceremony. They must return the signed form to the Richland County Probate Court. The court records it and sends a copy to the state vital records office. This step is required by law. If the form is not returned, the marriage may not show up in public records.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina gives a one-time $50 state income tax credit to couples who take a premarital course. The course must be at least six hours long. It must be taught by a licensed counselor or a member of the clergy. Both people must take it together. You must finish it within 12 months before you apply for the license.
When you file your Richland County application, submit the signed form from your counselor at the same time. The court will note it on your license. This credit is in Section 20-1-230 of state law.
Marriage Records in Richland County
The image below is from the Richland County marriage license application page, which lists the steps for the online process and required documents.
The Probate Court holds marriage records from 1911 to the present. For older records, the court may be able to point you to the state archives. Richland County also offers an online Marriage License Inquiry tool that covers records from 1911 forward. You can search by name.
For marriages that took place 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 faster service.
Richland County License Common Questions
Can I apply in person? No. Richland County only takes online forms. There is no walk-in option.
How long does it take? The 24-hour wait starts after the court marks your form as complete. Then you wait for the mail. Most people get the license within a few days of filing.
Does it work in other states? No. A South Carolina license is only valid for a ceremony held in South Carolina. But a marriage performed here is recognized in all 50 states.
What if I lost my certificate? You can order a certified copy online from the Richland County Probate Court. The fee is $8 per copy. Allow two business days for it to be processed and mailed.
Can same-sex couples apply? Yes. All couples who meet the age and legal rules can apply.