BEAUFORT COUNTY PROBATE COURT

Marriage License Information

The following information is pertinent to applications for, and issuance of, marriage licenses within the jurisdiction of the Beaufort County Probate Court.

1. Marriage license fees, set by County ordinance, are as follows:

Category I: $50 if either or both applicants reside in Beaufort County.

Category II: $75 if neither applicant resides in Beaufort County, but at least one resides in South Carolina.

Category III: $95 if both applicants reside outside of South Carolina.

All fees must be paid by cash in exact amount.

Note : Active-duty military personnel are deemed to reside in the County/State where the installation/facility to which they are assigned/attached is located.

2. Offices hours for Probate Court (with respect to marriage licenses): At the main office, in Beaufort, Monday through Friday (holidays excepted), 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. At the satellite office, on Hilton Head Island, Wednesdays & Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., by appointment only.

3. Both parties (prospective bride and bridegroom) are required to be physically present to apply for a marriage license. An application cannot be taken by mail or by telephone, or fax, by one party only or by proxy.

4. Except as noted below, the minimum age for males and females without parental consent is 18, and the minimum age for males and females with parental consent is 16.

5. Certain exceptions to the minimum age and parental consent requirements exist in cases where the female applicant is pregnant or has borne a child and other specific conditions are met under S.C. Code Section 20-1-300.

6. An ORIGINAL CERTIFIED copy of a BIRTH CERTIFICATE or a hospital or baptismal certificate (issued and dated within one year after birth) is required for proof of age for applicants under the age of 18. The Court will retain, permanently, ALL CERTIFIED COPIES IF EITHER PARTY IS UNDER 18. Applicants age 18 or older may furnish other documentary evidence of age, such as a valid driver’s license, state ID Card, military ID, passport or visa. Applicants are required to provide their Social Security Numbers, or their alien identification numbers if they are resident aliens who do not have Social Security Numbers.

7. Blood tests and physical examinations are not required.

8. There is a twenty-four (24)-hour waiting period from the time of the application until the issuance of the license.

9. The ceremony may be performed by certain members of the clergy and by Officers authorized to administer oaths in this State, e.g., Judges and South Carolina Notaries Public. Witnesses are not required.

10. The ceremony must take place in South Carolina, but not necessarily with the County where the license was issued.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION : The main office of the Beaufort County Probate Court is located within the County Government Center, 102 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902. (Tele #843-470-5319.) The Hilton Head Island Satellite Office is located at County Government Center South, 539 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29938. (843-341-8413.)

Beaufort County Probate Court

Francis M. Simon, Judge

Kenneth E. Fulp, Jr., Associate Judge

P.O. Box 1083 • Beaufort, SC 29901-1083 • Telephone: (843) 470-5319 • Fax: (843) 470-5