Marriage Certificates
Records are available for marriages between July 1950 and December 2012. For marriage records prior to or after these dates, you will need to contact the Probate Court that originally issued the marriage license.
There are 4 Ways to Apply for a Copy of a Marriage Certificate
1. Walk-in
Average processing time is 30-45 minutes. You will need to provide:
- A completed application form
- A $12 non-refundable standard searching fee
- $3 for each additional copy needed
- A valid government, school or employer-issued photo ID.
Where to Go to Apply:
- DHEC State Vital Records Office, Columbia
- Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Telephone: (803) 898-3630
- Address: 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201
2. Mail
Average processing time is 2-4 weeks (standard) You will need to send:
- A completed application form
- A $12 non-refundable standard searching fee
- A valid government issued past photo ID. When we receive applications without proper identification, we reject them automatically; we do not process them.
Mail to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
3. Phone
Average processing time is 5-7 business days. Call 1-877-284-1008 (toll-free) to request a record. You will need to provide:
- A $17 non-refundable standard searching fee
- A $9.50 additional charge to pay for the services of VitalChek, the private vendor that processes phone requests
- Shipping fees should you choose to have your record sent to you by UPS rather than regular U.S. mail
- Only person named on license may apply through VitalChek.
4. Online
Average processing time is 5-7 business days. Visit VitalChek on the Web, 7 days a week, 24-hours-a-day.You will need to provide:
- A $17 non-refundable standard searching fee
- A $12.95 additional charge to pay for the services of VitalChek, the private vendor that processes online requests
- Shipping fees should you choose to have your record sent to you by UPS rather than regular U.S. mail.
You are entitled to obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate if you are:
- One of the married party (bride or groom)
- The married party's adult child(ren)
- A present or former spouse of either married party, or
- The married party's legal representative.
Other applicants may be provided with a statement that the marriage occurred, including the date and county in which the marriage license was issued.
To amend or change any information on a marriage certificate please visit the Probate Court in the county where the marriage occurred.
A couple planning to marry in South Carolina must apply for a license at a South Carolina county probate court.
- Full name of the groom
- Full name of the bride
- Full date of marriage (month, day, year)
- County where the marriage license was issued
- Signature of the person requesting the marriage certificate and their current mailing address
- Relationship between the married parties and the person requesting the certified copy
- Full name and complete mailing address of the person to whom the certificate is to be mailed
- Area code and daytime telephone number of the person requesting the marriage certificate
If you have not received any response to your request within 30 days of submission, you may call 803-898-3630 or e-mail us (saleebap@dhec.sc.gov) for an update.
Certified copies of marriage records from July 1950 to December 2012 may be obtained from the Vital Records Office in Columbia, South Carolina, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
Copies of marriage records that occurred PRIOR to July 1950 and after December 2012 may be obtained from the Office of the Probate in the county where the original marriage license was issued. Fees charged by DHEC for these services do not apply to copies obtained from the Office of the Probate Judge.
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