South Carolina Wedding Laws
What to expect when officiating a wedding.
Quick Facts for Wedding Officiants in South Carolina
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Ministries of Love Ordination Accepted: Yes
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Minister Registration Required: No
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Minister’s Residency: Not Required
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Minister’s Minimum Age: 18 Years Old
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Marriage License Waiting Period: 24 Hours
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Marriage License Valid For: 6 Months
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Marriage License Return Within: 15 Days (30 Days in Lexington County)
Steps to Perform a Wedding in South Carolina
1. Become an Ordained Minister
To officiate weddings in South Carolina, you must be ordained. Ministries of Love offers free online ordination, which takes only a few minutes. Once ordained, you’ll be recognized as a legal officiant in the state.
2. Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage by Proxy: Not allowed.
- Minister Presence: Required during the ceremony.
- Witnesses: None required.
- Consent and Pronouncement: The couple must verbally consent to the marriage (“I do”), and the officiant must pronounce them married.
3. Marriage License Requirements
The couple must pick up their marriage license in person from a probate court in any South Carolina county.
Requirements for the Couple:
- Age: Must be 18 or older; those aged 16-17 require a guardian’s consent.
- Identification: Photo ID and Social Security Card.
- Residency: Not required.
- Prohibited Unions: Marriages closer than first cousins or where one party is already married are not permitted.
- Cost: Varies by county.
Process:
- Submit a written application listing social security numbers at least 24 hours before receiving the marriage license.
- No blood tests or proof of divorce are required.
4. Perform the Wedding Ceremony
The ceremony can be customized to the couple’s preferences, provided the legal requirements are met. These include:
- Verbal consent from both parties.
- The officiant’s formal pronouncement of marriage.
5. Return the Marriage License
South Carolina issues three copies of the marriage license. After the ceremony:
- The officiant must complete the required sections, including their name, title, and religious organization (Ministries of Love).
- Return two copies to the probate court within 15 days of the ceremony (30 days in Lexington County).
- Give the remaining copy to the couple for their records.
Failure to comply with this timeline may result in penalties.
Legal Reference: South Carolina Marriage Code
South Carolina law allows ministers, rabbis, and authorized officials to solemnize weddings. Despite prohibitions against same-sex marriages in state law, federal law ensures all couples, including same-sex couples, are legally allowed to marry in South Carolina.