All requests for a Marriage License in Greenville County must be made in person by both parties getting married. There are additional options for picking up the license once applied for, such as Third-Party Authorization. Inquire to the Marriage License Division by calling 864-467-7571 or 864-467-7468.
As per the Marriage License Division, if either party is a Greenville County resident, the application fee will be $45.00. If both parties live outside of Greenville County, yet one resides in South Carolina, the fee will be $75. For any couple traveling from out of state/country, the cost for a marriage license in Greenville County is $95. If, after review and nuptials, you discover that there is something incorrect on the license, there will be a correction fee of $6.75, so make sure when it is issued you check that it is absolutely, positively, 100% CORRECT! (more information below the following video)
There are different items requested by both parties from each Marriage License Division office and since these can vary, I definitely urge you to visit the Greenville County’s Marriage License Division website to seek your answers to what documentation, IDs, originals you need to accomplish applying. You can visit the site by clicking HERE.
There is a keepsake folder that, although not necessary, may be something you will consider purchasing for an additional $2.00 (as of July 1, 2019). I do not recommend to any couple to use their copy of the Marriage License and Certificate to transact business. This is your copy to keep, frame, put away, and should only be used in an emergency. Why? Say you travel to the Social Security office to have your name changed and in the commission of the clerk making a copy of your certificate, it is accidentally caught in a paper jam. Say the clerk fouled up the copy and instead of putting the misprinted copy in the shredder, accidentally shreds your original. Case in point, keep it as just that, A KEEPSAKE!
A certified copy of your certificate will cost you $5.00. At this time, the copy fee is $ .25, however, it may be higher depending on your request.
Some interesting facts:
Marriage License requests can go as far back as 1911 in the Greenville County database and requests can be made by either walking in to the office or by mail.
One of the biggest questions by a couple to our service is, “Do I have to have a ceremony?” Quite simply, “Yes.” In the State of South Carolina, it is a requirement for a ceremony to be performed.
Probate Court judges, staff, nor personnel marry couples.
If you do not have a Social Security card and are not eligible to receive one, it is possible to obtain a letter from the Social Security Administration Officestating that you are unable to obtain it.
The Marriage License Division is located in North Tower, Suite 100 of the New Greenville County Square Building at 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601. The number to call for inquiry is 864-467-7571 or 864-467-7468.
The Marriage and License Administrators Elizabeth Robinson, Janise Chapman and Ruby Moore are at your service to assist you with your application needs.
For More Information on Application Click HERE. (Old address is posted here, please read the following Greenville County Marriage License Divison Update)
To Start the Application Process Click HERE.
The Following Information is from and posted DIRECTLY on the Marriage License Division Website:
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The Marriage License Division [has moved]. As of 8:30 AM Monday, July 17, 2023, our new address is:
301 University Ridge
Suite N-T100
Greenville, SC 29601
Welcome
Welcome to the Marriage License Division of the Probate Court. We are accepting applications for marriage license in person or online. Our office is located in [North Tower] Suite N-T100 of the Probate Court at Greenville County Square, 301 University Ridge, Greenville SC 29601. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:30 PM. We are closed on most major holidays. Please read the information on this page carefully and contact us at 864-467-7571, 864-467-7468 or email us at probatemarriage@greenvillecounty.org if you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment.
Best Wishes on Your Upcoming Marriage!
Requirements to Obtain a Marriage License
To obtain a marriage license in South Carolina:
- You must have capacity to marry. If a Court has declared you an incapacitated person, you are not eligible for a marriage license in South Carolina.
- If you are recently divorced, please make sure that your divorce decree has been signed by a Judge and filed with the Clerk of Court’s Office.
- Applicants who do not have a Social Security card will be required to present their resident alien card or a statement from the Social Security Office that you do not qualify for a Social Security number.
- You must be 18 years old. If you are under 18 but at least 16 years old, please schedule an appointment by contacting our office at 864-467-7571, 864-467-7468, or email us at probatemarriage@greenvillecounty.org.
Your Wedding Ceremony
Marriage licenses issued anywhere in South Carolina are valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in South Carolina. However, SC marriage licenses are not valid for out of state ceremonies.
Marriage ceremonies are not performed in the Probate Court office. See this webpage for more information on authorized officiants and a list of notaries.
IT IS A MISDEMEANOR FOR YOUR MINISTER, RABBI OR NOTARY TO PRESIDE OVER YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY IF YOUR FIANCE AND YOU DO NOT HAVE A MARRIAGE LICENSE. This means, if the couple has no license, no {legal} wedding can be performed.
Plan Ahead to Avoid Spoiling Your Wedding
To avoid a wedding crisis, consider the date of your wedding, our office holiday closing schedule, and our office hours as you plan when to begin the application process.
You are welcome to apply for your license online or in person. To schedule an appointment to apply in person, please email us at probatemarriage@greenvillecounty.org or call us at 864-467-7571 or 864-467-7468.
A 24 hour waiting period is required by law between the time the application is completed and filed and the time the license is issued.
Example of good planning: If your wedding is on a Saturday or Sunday, the latest you should begin the process is the Tuesday just prior to your wedding. We suggest you begin the process 2 weeks in advance to allow for any unknowns.
Applying for Your Marriage License Online
If you are applying for your license online, please read the instructions below carefully and email us at probatemarriage@greenvillecounty.org or call us at 864-467-7571 or 864-467-7468 if you have questions. You will need the following to apply for your license online:
- Valid government issued ID for both applicants, such as drivers license, military ID, passport
- Social security cards for both applicants, or other official documents which verify social security numbers, and
- Major credit card for payment
Please note that applications are processed according to the date of your wedding. This means that licenses for weddings scheduled before yours will be processed first.
Step One: The Marriage License Worksheet
Provide the requested information on the Marriage License worksheet. The information you provide is used to prepare your application. At the end of the marriage license worksheet, you will see a payment icon for payment of the marriage license fee online. After you pay your fee, you will see an icon to upload each applicant’s valid government issued photo ID (drivers license, military ID, passport, etc.) and social security cards or other official documents which verify your social security numbers.
After you upload your documents, please review the disclaimer and indicate you have read and understood each item. You may pick up your license in person or receive it by mail. Please check the appropriate box to indicate your choice. It is important that you remember your selection to avoid unnecessary delay in receiving your license.
After you have reviewed the disclaimer and made your selections, the worksheet will be automatically transmitted to our office.
Step Two: The Application
After receiving all of the above, our office will prepare and email the application and verification forms to the email address listed on the online worksheet.
We will email the application and verification forms to the first person listed on the application form.
When you receive the application and verification forms, review them carefully for any mistakes. Then, each of you must sign the application above the last four digits of your respective social security numbers and sign the verification before a licensed notary public. You may make arrangements with court staff to come into the office to sign the forms.
Next, the original application and verification with your original signatures must be returned to our office in person or by mail. Or, you may drop off the forms at our “Drop Box” located outside our office doors.
Please understand that our office cannot control when mail is received by us or by you. If you are pressed for time, you are encouraged to make arrangements with court staff to hand-deliver the application to our office and/or pick up the marriage license from our office.
Step Three: Issuing the License
If everything is in order, our office will issue the license. If you selected in person pick up on the worksheet, one of the applicants must show picture ID to pick up the license Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 P.M., exclusive of holidays. It is not necessary for both applicants to be present to pick up the license.
If you are receiving your license by mail, we will mail the license to Applicant one’s address.
Please note that we are required to use a mandatory form generated by SCDHEC (South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control) in order to issue your license. We have no control over the information requested in the license form utilized by SCDHEC. If you have comments or suggestions about changes to the form, please contact SCDHEC at 803-898-3432.
Step Four: Signing and Recording your License
The license itself consists of 3 identical copies, one for the spouses, one for Probate Court and one for S.C. DHEC. When you sign the Marriage License, sign it using the same name you used when you signed the application. Spouses who intend to change their last name after their marriage do not sign the Marriage License using their intended new last name.
The S.C. DHEC and Probate Court copies must be returned to our office within 15 days after your ceremony to properly record your marriage. You will have a return envelope for mailing.
Keep your license in a safe place. You may need it in the future for passports, insurance, or legal proceedings.
Congratulations Again and Thank You For Planning Ahead!
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