Marriage License

  • The Probate Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over all subject matter related to the issuance of marriage licenses; recording, indexing, and disposing of copies of marriage certificates; and issuing certified copies of the license and certificates. ?
  • Marriage Licenses may be obtained in person or by mail.
  • PLEASE NOTE: There is a state mandated 24-hour waiting period between the receipt of an application and the issuance of a marriage license. ?
  • A marriage license MUST BE issued prior to a marriage ceremony being performed in South Carolina.?
Apply in Person Apply by Mail Obtain Marriage Certificate Information for Officiants

Other Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the fees to obtain a marriage license?
Out of State Residents $115.00
In-State Residents $75.00
Horry County Residents $50.00

Applicable fees are determined based on the address on your identification. If one of the applicants is a Horry County Resident or South Carolina Resident, the fee is based on that applicant’s residency, regardless of whether the other applicant is an in-state or Horry County resident. Only one fee is due per couple. Fees must be paid in cash (in-person applicants only) or money order payable to “Horry County Probate Court.

Who may officiate a wedding ceremony?
Only ministers of the Gospel, Jewish rabbis, officers authorized to administer oaths in this State, and the chief or spiritual leader of a Native American Indian entity recognized by the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs are authorized to administer a marriage ceremony in this State.
SECTION 20-1-20. Persons who may perform marriage ceremony.
Only ministers of the Gospel, Jewish rabbis, officers authorized to administer oaths in this State, and the chief or spiritual leader of a Native American Indian entity recognized by the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs pursuant to Section 1-31-40 are authorized to administer a marriage ceremony in this State.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-2; 1952 Code Section 20-2; 1942 Code Section 8565; 1932 Code Section 8565; Civ. C. '22 Section 5530; Civ. C. '12 Section 3751; 1911 (27) 131; 2008 Act No. 322, Section 1, eff June 16, 2008.]

Does my wedding officiant have to register in the State of South Carolina?
As As long as the officiant meets the requirements of S.C. Code Section 20-1-20, they do not have to otherwise register to perform a ceremony in South Carolina.
SECTION 20-1-20. Persons who may perform marriage ceremony.
Only ministers of the Gospel, Jewish rabbis, officers authorized to administer oaths in this State, and the chief or spiritual leader of a Native American Indian entity recognized by the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs pursuant to Section 1-31-40 are authorized to administer a marriage ceremony in this State.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-2; 1952 Code Section 20-2; 1942 Code Section 8565; 1932 Code Section 8565; Civ. C. '22 Section 5530; Civ. C. '12 Section 3751; 1911 (27) 131; 2008 Act No. 322, Section 1, eff June 16, 2008.]

Do I need to be a resident of South Carolina in order to obtain a marriage license in Horry County?
You do not need to be from South Carolina to obtain a marriage license, but the marriage ceremony must be performed in South Carolina by a properly qualified officiant.
SECTION 20-1-20. Persons who may perform marriage ceremony.
Only ministers of the Gospel, Jewish rabbis, officers authorized to administer oaths in this State, and the chief or spiritual leader of a Native American Indian entity recognized by the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs pursuant to Section 1-31-40 are authorized to administer a marriage ceremony in this State.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-2; 1952 Code Section 20-2; 1942 Code Section 8565; 1932 Code Section 8565; Civ. C. '22 Section 5530; Civ. C. '12 Section 3751; 1911 (27) 131; 2008 Act No. 322, Section 1, eff June 16, 2008.]

Do I need witnesses to sign my Marriage License?
No, South Carolina does not require that witnesses sign your Marriage License, but your Wedding Officiant will sign the Marriage License after performing your ceremony. See information about Wedding Officiant duties for more information.

How can I obtain a copy of a marriage license: Marriage Licenses are public record and can be obtained by the public during regular business hours. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage license, see how to Obtain Marriage Certificate.

What happens with my Marriage License after the Wedding Ceremony?
S.C. Code Section 20-1-340 requires the authorized person officiating the wedding ceremony to return the signed and notarized “Probate Judge” and “Probate Judge/DHEC” copies of the license to Probate Court within fifteen (15) days of the ceremony. An envelope for the officiant to return the license will be provided to you when you pick-up your Marriage License. The “Bride/Groom/Spouse” copy of the marriage license should be given to the couple by the Wedding Officiant.

Do I have to get a blood test to obtain a marriage license?
No, a blood test is not required in order to obtain a marriage license in South Carolina.

Does my marriage license expire?
No, your marriage license does not expire and is valid any time after it is obtained.

What if there is an error on my Marriage License?
Please review your marriage license carefully when you obtain it from the Probate Court and alert the Court immediately if any information is incorrect. Alterations and modifications (white-outs, strike-throughs) may not be made to the Marriage License once issued.

What if I do not have my Social Security Card?
You must obtain a replacement social security card. A Marriage License will not be issued without your Social Security Card.

Apply in Person for a Marriage License

Applications are accepted in person at the Horry County Probate Court Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (subject to holidays and other closures pursuant to the Horry County Government openings and closure). Probate Court is located on the second floor of the Horry County Judicial Complex at 1301 Second Avenue, Conway, South Carolina.

Appointments are not needed, and applications are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

There is a state mandated 24-hour waiting period between the receipt of an application and the issuance of a marriage license.

To apply in person both applicants must be present and bring their social security card with them to the Probate Court. Once the marriage license is issued (after the 24-hour waiting period), only one of the Applicants need to be present to pick-up the license. Licenses may be picked up between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Probate Court.

Instructions for Obtaining a Marriage License 

Complete the Marriage License Application in its entirety with accurate information.

Bring Social Security Cards, Completed Marriage License Application, Drivers’ License, proof of age (if under 25 years of age), and cash or money order for Marriage License Fee.

Fees to Obtain Marriage License:
Out of State Residents $115.00
In-State Residents $75.00
Horry County Residents $50.00


Applicable fees are determined based on the address on your identification. If one of the applicants is a Horry County Resident or South Carolina Resident, the fee is based on that applicant’s residency, regardless of whether the other applicant is an in-state or Horry County resident. Only one license fee is due per couple. Fees must be paid in cash (in-person applicants only) or money order payable to “Horry County Probate Court.”

Apply By Mail for a Marriage License

Applications by Mail must be received in our office no less than thirty (30) days prior to the anticipated ceremony date. Additionally, if you are under the age of eighteen (18), the mail-in application process is not available. If it is less than thirty days until your scheduled wedding ceremony or either applicant is under the age of eighteen (18) years, you must apply in person.

Instructions to Apply by Mail

Marriage License Application

Complete the Marriage License Application in its entirety with accurate information. Mail in photocopies of both applicants’ social security cards and forms of identification. If you are under the age of eighteen (18) years, the mail-in process is not available.

Submit the Marriage License Application with the applicable fee:

Marriage License Fees are:
Out of State Residents $115.00
In-State Residents $75.00
Horry County Residents $50.00


Applicable fees are determined based on the address on your identification. If one of the applicants is a Horry County Resident or South Carolina Resident, the fee is based on that applicant’s residency, regardless of whether the other applicant is an in-state or Horry County resident. Only one license fee is due per couple. Fees must be paid by money order payable to “Horry County Probate Court.”

Forward application, documents, and payment by mail or overnight delivery (please note that FedEx/UPS/USPS overnight delivery is not delivered directly to Probate Court and that there may be interdepartmental processing time before the application is received in our office) to the following address:

Horry County Probate Court
Attn: Marriage License Division
P.O. Box 288
Conway, South Carolina 29528

You will be informed when your application has been processed, along with pick-up times and instructions. Only one Applicant needs to be present to pick-up the license, and licenses can be picked up at our offices located on the Second Floor of the Horry County Government & Justice Center, located at 1301 Second Avenue, Conway, South Carolina.

PLEASE CONSIDER MAILING TIME, PROCESSING TIME, AND 24-HOUR STATUTORY WAITING PERIOD WHEN ELECTING TO APPLY BY MAIL.

Obtain Marriage Certificate

Certified Copies of Marriage Certificates can be obtained in person at our offices located on the Second Floor of the Horry County Government & Judicial Complex, 1301 Second Avenue, Conway, South Carolina, Monday through Friday (subject to holidays and other closures pursuant to the Horry County Government openings and closures) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. You can also obtain copies of Marriage Certificates by mail.

TO OBTAIN CERTIFIED MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE BY MAIL:

  1. Complete the Certified Marriage Certificate Request Form
  2. Mail the completed form to our office with the correct fee.
Fees for Obtaining Marriage Certificates:
1994 to Current: $5.00 per certified copy
Prior to 1994: $10 research fee + $5.00 per certified copy


Mail Request Form to:
Horry County Probate Court

Attn: Marriage License Division
PO Box 288
Conway, SC 29528

Information for Wedding Officiants

A marriage license MUST BE issued prior to a marriage ceremony being performed in South Carolina
SECTION 20-1-210. License required for marriage.
It shall be unlawful for any persons to contract matrimony within this State without first procuring a license as is herein provided and it shall likewise be unlawful for anyone whomsoever to perform the marriage ceremony for any such persons unless such persons shall first have delivered to the party performing such marriage ceremony a license as is herein provided duly authorizing such persons to contract matrimony. Any officer or person performing the marriage ceremony without the production of such license shall, on conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars nor less than twenty-five dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days nor less than ten days.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-21; 1952 Code Section 20-21; 1942 Code Section 8557; 1932 Code Section 8557; Civ. C. '22 Section 5523; Cr. C. '22 Section 379; Civ. C. '12 Section 3744; 1911 (27) 131; 1945 (44) 62.

Who may officiate a wedding ceremony? 
SECTION 20-1-20. Persons who may perform marriage ceremony.
Only ministers of the Gospel, Jewish rabbis, officers authorized to administer oaths in this State, and the chief or spiritual leader of a Native American Indian entity recognized by the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs pursuant to Section 1-31-40 are authorized to administer a marriage ceremony in this State.HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-2; 1952 Code Section 20-2; 1942 Code Section 8565; 1932 Code Section 8565; Civ. C. '22 Section 5530; Civ. C. '12 Section 3751; 1911 (27) 131; 2008 Act No. 322, Section 1, eff June 16, 2008.]

SECTION 20-1-330 Issue of licenses in triplicate; disposition.
S.C. Code Section 20-1-330 requires the authorized person officiating the wedding ceremony to return the signed and notarized “Probate Judge” and “Probate Judge/DHEC” copies of the license to Probate Court within fifteen (15) days of the ceremony. An envelope for the officiant to return the license will be provided to the applicant when they pick-up the Marriage License.
The officer issuing marriage license certificates shall issue them in triplicate, all of which shall be delivered to either of the contracting parties and the parties to whom they are delivered shall in turn deliver them to the minister or officer who performs the wedding ceremony. The minister or officer who performs the wedding ceremony shall fill them out as required by law and deliver one to the contracting parties, without additional charge, and the other two within fifteen days to the officer who issued the license certificates.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-27; 1952 Code Section 20-27; 1942 Code Section 8560; 1932 Code Section 8560; 1924 (33) 1135; 1950 (46) 2452.

The Wedding Officiant should give the “Bride/Groom/Spouse” copy of the marriage license to the couple after it is signed.

DO NOT MAKE ALTERATIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE MARRIAGE LICENSE AS ISSUED.