Williamsburg County Marriage License
The Williamsburg County Probate Court processes all marriage license requests in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. This is the only local office where couples can file for a license. Records at the court go back to 1911, so it also serves as a source for old marriage certificates. Staff at the Probate Court can walk you through the forms and help you understand what to bring. Whether you live in Williamsburg County or are just visiting for a wedding, the Probate Court is where you start the process.
How to Apply in Williamsburg County
Both people must go to the Williamsburg County Probate Court together. You cannot send one person in place of the other. Each of you needs a valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport is the most common choice. Your Social Security card is also needed.
Once you are at the office, the staff hands you a form. Both of you sign it on site. After you file, a waiting period of 24 hours begins. This rule comes from Section 20-1-220 of South Carolina law. The court cannot issue the license until the full day has passed.
Return the next day to pick up the license. It is valid for any ceremony held in South Carolina.
Williamsburg County License Rules
State law sets the age at 16 or older. If one or both people are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign a sworn form of consent. The court needs a birth certificate or other age proof for any minor.
No blood test is needed. No residency rule applies. You do not have to live in Williamsburg County or even in South Carolina. Couples from out of state can apply as long as they meet the ID and age rules. If either person had a prior marriage, bring the final divorce decree or the death certificate of the former spouse. These rules fall under Section 20-1-250 of the state code.
Williamsburg Marriage Ceremony Officiants
A license alone does not make a marriage. You need someone to lead the ceremony. South Carolina law is strict about who can do this. Section 20-1-20 lists the people who may officiate:
- Ministers of the Gospel
- Jewish rabbis
- Officers authorized to administer oaths in South Carolina
- Chief or spiritual leader of a Native American Indian group recognized by the state
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the certificate and returns it to the Williamsburg County Probate Court. The court records the document and sends a copy to the state vital records office.
Marriage Records in Williamsburg County
Williamsburg County has marriage records from 1911 to the present. The Probate Court is the place to ask for a certified copy. You will need to give the full names on the record and the date of the marriage. A photo ID is also required.
The image below is from the South Carolina State House website, which lists the state laws that govern marriage license procedures in all counties, including Williamsburg.
For marriages from July 1950 through December 2023, the South Carolina Department of Public Health can also provide copies. The state charges $12 by mail or $17 for rush orders.
Premarital Course Tax Credit
South Carolina law offers a $50 state 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 teach it.
Both people must take the course as a pair. You must finish it within 12 months before you apply for the license. Bring your proof to the Williamsburg County Probate Court when you file. The court marks the license to show the course was done. This credit is set out in Section 20-1-230.
State Vital Records for Williamsburg
After a wedding, the officiant sends the signed certificate back to the Probate Court. The court records it and forwards a copy to the South Carolina Division of Vital Records. This is required by Section 20-1-340.
The screenshot below shows the South Carolina Department of Public Health vital records page, which explains how to request certified copies of marriage certificates from the state office.
You can also order copies through VitalChek or by phone at 1-877-284-1008. A valid photo ID is needed for every request. Records older than 1950 are held at the Probate Court or at the state archives.
Williamsburg County License Questions
Can I apply online? No. Both people must appear at the Probate Court in person. There is no online form or mail-in option for the license.
Is there a way to waive the wait? No. The 24-hour rule is set by state law and the court cannot change it. Apply at least one business day before you need the license.
Will the license work in other states? The license is valid only for ceremonies in South Carolina. A marriage performed here is recognized across all 50 states, though.
What if my certificate is lost? Call the Williamsburg County Probate Court or the state vital records office. They can provide a certified copy if the record is on file.