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What You Actually Need to Elope in South Carolina

By Thomas Garrett · Practical Affairs Writer

South Carolina has no waiting period, no blood test, and no residency requirement — you can get a marriage license the same day you apply

To elope in South Carolina, you need a marriage license from your county probate court, a willing officiant, and a witness present during the ceremony. You do not need to live in South Carolina, you do not need to wait between applying and marrying, and you do not need a blood test or health certificate. The entire process can happen in a single day if you plan it that way.

The license itself costs money — the fee varies by county, typically between $30 and $50 — and it is valid for 30 days from the date you receive it. Once you marry, the officiant signs the license, you and your witness sign it, and the officiant returns it to the probate court within a set timeframe. That returned license is your legal proof of marriage.

Key Takeaways

  • You must obtain a marriage license from your county probate court before the ceremony; the license is valid for 30 days.
  • South Carolina requires one witness present during the ceremony, and that witness must sign the license afterward.
  • Any ordained minister, magistrate, or authorized officiant can perform the ceremony; you do not need a specific religious affiliation.
  • The probate court fee varies by county but is typically $30 to $50, and you can apply in person on the day you want to marry.
  • After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the probate court within 30 days for the marriage to be recorded.

Getting your marriage license from the probate court

Visit the probate court in the county where you want to marry. You do not have to live there or have any connection to the county — South Carolina allows you to marry anywhere in the state. Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and proof of your Social Security number. You can provide a Social Security card, a W-2, a tax return, or a birth certificate that shows your number.

Both people getting married must appear in person at the probate court. You cannot apply by mail or have someone else apply on your behalf. The court will ask for your full legal names, dates of birth, and whether either of you has been divorced. If you have been divorced, bring the divorce decree or a certified copy showing the date the divorce was final. If either person was previously married and the spouse is deceased, bring a death certificate.

Pay the fee — the amount depends on your county — and the court will issue your license on the spot. The license is valid for 30 days. If you do not marry within that window, you will need to apply for a new license and pay the fee again.

Finding an officiant who can legally perform the ceremony

South Carolina recognizes several types of officiants: ordained or licensed ministers of any faith, magistrates, and certain other authorized persons. You do not need to be married in a church or by a clergy member of your religion — any authorized officiant can perform the ceremony. Many couples hire a secular officiant, a friend who has been ordained online, or a magistrate from the county.

If you want a friend or family member to officiate, they can become ordained through organizations like the Universal Life Church or the American Marriage Ministries, both of which offer online ordination at no cost. South Carolina recognizes these ordinations. The person should keep a copy of their ordination certificate, though they do not need to present it to the court — the probate court trusts that the person who signs the license as officiant is authorized to do so.

Magistrates are county officials who perform marriages for a fee, usually $25 to $50 in addition to the license fee. You can contact your county probate court to ask for a list of magistrates or to schedule a magistrate to perform your ceremony.

The witness requirement and what happens during the ceremony

You must have one witness present during the ceremony. The witness can be anyone — a friend, family member, or even someone you hire. The witness does not need to know you beforehand and does not need to be a resident of South Carolina. After you and your spouse exchange vows and the officiant pronounces you married, the witness must sign the marriage license along with you, your spouse, and the officiant.

The ceremony itself has no legal requirements beyond the presence of the officiant and witness. You can write your own vows, exchange rings, have music, or keep it as simple as a five-minute exchange of promises. South Carolina law does not dictate what you say or how you say it — only that an authorized officiant and a witness are present and that all four parties sign the license afterward.

Returning the license to the probate court

After the ceremony, the officiant is responsible for returning the signed marriage license to the probate court within 30 days. The officiant should mail or deliver it to the probate court in the county where you obtained the license. If the officiant does not return it, the marriage is still legal, but the court will not have an official record, and you may have difficulty obtaining a certified copy of your marriage certificate later.

Before the ceremony, confirm with your officiant that they understand this requirement and will handle it. If you are using a friend or family member as officiant, give them clear instructions and follow up after the wedding to make sure they submit the license. If they forget or lose it, you can contact the probate court and ask them to help locate it or to accept a late filing.

Getting a certified copy of your marriage certificate

Once the probate court receives and records the signed license, you can request a certified copy of your marriage certificate. You can order this by mail, in person, or sometimes online through your county probate court. The cost is typically $10 to $25 per copy. You will need a certified copy to change your name, update your Social Security record, add a spouse to insurance, or prove your marital status for legal purposes.

If you need the certificate quickly, visit the probate court in person — they can often issue a copy the same day. If you order by mail, allow two to four weeks. Some counties now offer online ordering through their websites, which can be faster than mailing a request.

Name changes and updating your records after marriage

If you want to change your name after marriage, you do not need a court order in South Carolina — you can change it based on your marriage certificate alone. Take your certified marriage certificate to the Department of Motor Vehicles to update your driver's license, to Social Security to update your Social Security record, and to your employer and bank to update their records. Each agency has its own process, but all of them accept a certified marriage certificate as proof of the name change.

If you want to keep your own name or use a hyphenated name, you do not need to do anything — your marriage license will show both names as you provided them to the probate court. The name on your license is the name you are legally married under.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I elope in South Carolina if I live in another state?

Yes. You do not need to be a South Carolina resident to marry here. Bring a valid photo ID and proof of your Social Security number, and you can obtain a license and marry on the same day. Many couples from other states choose South Carolina for elopements because of the lack of waiting periods and residency requirements.

What if one of us has been married before?

Bring your divorce decree or a certified copy showing the date the divorce was final. If your ex-spouse is deceased, bring a death certificate. The probate court needs this information to issue the license, but it will not prevent you from marrying.

Do we have to be the same sex to marry in South Carolina?

No. South Carolina recognizes marriages between any two people, regardless of sex or gender identity. The license application asks for names and dates of birth, not gender.

What if our witness cannot be there on the day of the ceremony?

You must have a witness present during the ceremony itself — you cannot marry without one. If your planned witness cannot attend, ask someone else to be present. The witness does not need advance notice and does not need to know you.

How long does it take to get a certified marriage certificate after we marry?

It depends on how quickly the officiant returns the signed license to the probate court. Once the court receives and records it, you can request a certified copy. If you visit in person, you may receive it the same day. By mail, allow two to four weeks. The officiant has 30 days to return the license, so plan for at least that long before you need the certificate.