Sumter County Marriage License
The Sumter County Probate Court handles all marriage license requests in Sumter County, South Carolina. Couples who plan to wed in the area must file their forms at this court. The Probate Court keeps marriage records that go back to 1911. Staff at the office can help with new license forms and with requests for old records. If you need a copy of a past marriage certificate, the Probate Court is the first place to check. Both local residents and those from out of state can apply for a license here as long as they meet the basic rules set by South Carolina law.
How Sumter County Licenses Work
Both people must show up at the Sumter County Probate Court in person. One person cannot file for the other. Bring a valid photo ID. A state driver's license or a passport will work. You will also need your Social Security card.
The court staff will hand you a form. Both of you sign it at the office. After you file the form, state law says you must wait 24 hours. The South Carolina Code Section 20-1-220 sets this rule. You cannot get the license on the same day you apply.
Come back the next day to pick up your license. It is good for use at any spot in South Carolina.
Sumter County License Requirements
South Carolina has clear age rules. Both people must be at least 16. If one or both are 16 or 17, a parent or guardian must sign a sworn form that says they agree to the match. The court will need a birth certificate or other proof of age for any minor.
There is no blood test. There is no rule that says you must live in Sumter County or in South Carolina. Couples from any state can apply here. If you were married before, bring your final divorce papers or a death certificate for the past spouse. These rules come from Section 20-1-250 of the state code.
Sumter Marriage Ceremony Rules
A marriage license is just one step. You also need a person who can lead the ceremony. South Carolina law says only a few types of people may do this. Under Section 20-1-20, these are the ones who can officiate:
- Ministers of the Gospel
- Jewish rabbis
- Officers who can give oaths in South Carolina
- Chief or spiritual leader of a state-recognized Native American Indian group
The person who leads the ceremony signs the certificate. They then send it back to the Sumter County Probate Court. The court records it and sends a copy to the state.
Marriage Records in Sumter County
The Sumter County Probate Court has marriage records from 1911 to now. If you need a certified copy, call the court. You will need to give the names on the record and the date of the marriage. Bring a photo ID when you go in person.
The screenshot below is from the Sumter County government website, which shows court and public service details for the county.
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 office charges a $12 search fee by mail or $17 for expedited service.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina gives a one-time $50 state income tax credit to couples who take a qualifying premarital prep course. The course must last at least six hours. It can be run by a licensed counselor or a member of the clergy. Both people must take the course as a pair.
You must finish the course within 12 months before you file for a marriage license. When you apply at the Sumter County Probate Court, bring your proof. The court will mark it on the license. This credit is found in Section 20-1-230 of the South Carolina Code.
State Vital Records for Sumter
After a wedding, the person who led the ceremony must return the signed certificate to the Probate Court. The court then files it and sends one copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This step is required under Section 20-1-340.
If the state office has your record on file, you can order a certified copy by mail, online through VitalChek, or by phone at 1-877-284-1008. You will need a photo ID for any request.
Older Sumter County marriage records that date before 1950 are held at the Probate Court or at the state archives. Family history researchers often start at the Probate Court to trace old records.
Common Questions for Sumter County
Can you apply online? No. Both people must go to the Probate Court in person. There is no online or mail option for the marriage license form in Sumter County.
Can you skip the wait? No. The 24-hour rule is set by state law. Plan to visit the court at least one full day before your wedding.
Is the license good in other states? The license is only valid for ceremonies held in South Carolina. But a marriage done under a valid South Carolina license is recognized in all 50 states.
What if you lost your certificate? Contact the Sumter County Probate Court or the state vital records office in Columbia. They can issue a new certified copy.