Lexington County Marriage License Office
Marriage licenses come from the Lexington County Probate Court, on the main floor of the Judicial Center. The Probate Judge is Dan Eckstrom. The office is open weekdays, and in-person marriage applications are taken Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Probate Court holds marriage records for licenses issued in the county from 1911 to the present.
Lexington County Probate Court
205 East Main Street, Suite 134
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 785-8324
Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Probate Court marriage licenses page lists the full requirements.
Marriage License Application Requirements
A license can be applied for in person or by mail. If applying in person, both applicants must appear at Probate Court. You need proof of age and proof of a Social Security number. Acceptable age proof includes a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. For the Social Security number, bring the card or a document such as an insurance card or W-2 that verifies the name and number.
The table below lists what the certified copy request and application ask for.
| Field / Requirement | Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proof of age | ID | Yes | Driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID |
| Social Security proof | Document | Yes | SSN card, insurance card, or W-2/1099 |
| Both parties present | In person | Yes for in-person | Both applicants appear at Probate Court |
| Names of both parties | Text | Yes | Required for copy requests |
| Date or year of marriage | Date | Yes | Required for copy requests |
| Daytime phone | Text | Yes for mail | Needed for mail-in requests |
Applicants must be unmarried, mentally competent, of the required age, and not too closely related under state law. There is a 24-hour waiting period before the license may issue.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
The process is short once you have your documents. No blood tests are required. After the waiting period, either applicant can pick up the license, or a third party can with written authorization.
- Decide whether to apply in person or by mail.
- Gather proof of age and Social Security proof for both applicants.
- Both applicants appear at Probate Court between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for an in-person application.
- Pay the $30 fee by cash, check, or money order to Lexington County.
- Wait 24 hours, then pick up the license or arrange a mail return with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Have the ceremony in South Carolina and return the signed copies to Probate Court within 30 days.
The marriage must be performed in South Carolina, though the license can be used in any county. A minister, a notary, or anyone authorized to administer oaths can officiate, since a South Carolina notary can administer oaths.
Pickup is flexible after the wait. Once the 24 hours pass, either applicant can collect the license. A third party can pick it up too, but only with written authorization. If both applicants would rather not return, they can ask for the license to be mailed back, as long as they leave a self-addressed stamped envelope at the time they apply. There are no blood tests or other medical tests required to get a Lexington County marriage license.
Lexington County Marriage Record Fees
Marriage fees are set by Probate Court. The license fee is paid at application, and certified copies carry their own charge. The table below lists the marriage-related fees.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $30.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage license | $5.25 |
| Marriage license correction | $6.75 |
| Marriage license re-issuance | $10.00 |
Pay by cash, check, or money order to Lexington County. Do not mail cash for a copy request.
Minor Applicant Rules
The general age to marry is 18. A 16- or 17-year-old may get a license only under certain conditions. The custodial parent, relative, or legal guardian the minor lives with must give written consent by sworn affidavit. If parents are separated or divorced, the custodial parent must confirm custody with a separation agreement or divorce decree.
The minor must also present a birth certificate, or a hospital or baptismal certificate issued within a year after birth, showing lawful age, plus a state ID and Social Security card. The marriage qualification rules come from South Carolina Code Title 20, Chapter 1.
Officiants and License Return
South Carolina is flexible on who can perform a marriage. A minister or anyone authorized to administer oaths can officiate. Because a South Carolina notary public can administer oaths, a notary may also perform the ceremony. The marriage itself must take place within the state.
After the ceremony, the officiant completes the certificate and gives a copy to the couple. All three copies must carry original signatures. The Probate Judge copy and the Probate Judge or DHEC copy must be returned to Probate Court within 30 days of the ceremony. If they are not returned, there will be no legal record of the marriage, so this step is easy to overlook and important to finish.
Certified Marriage Copies and Search Date Ranges
Probate Court can search marriage records by date range. The estate and marriage searches on the Probate Court page cover marriage from 1911 to 1987 and marriage licenses from 1986 to the present. Walk-in copy requests are handled while you wait. Mail requests take 7 to 10 working days.
For a mail request, send both parties' names, the date or year of marriage, a daytime phone, $5.25 per certified copy payable to County of Lexington, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to Probate Court at 205 East Main Street, Suite 134. If the license was issued in another county, contact that county or the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Columbia at (803) 898-3630.
Divorce Records in Lexington County
Divorce records are not Probate Court records. They are Family Court files held by the Clerk of Court. The Clerk supports Family Court and links a public portal for family cases and dockets. Divorce, custody, support, and protection order matters all run through Family Court, and sensitive details may be limited.
Certified copies of a divorce decree come from the Clerk of Court at 205 East Main Street, (803) 785-8212, or through Family Court procedures. South Carolina recognizes both fault and no-fault divorce grounds under its domestic relations statutes.
The broader domestic relations code, including custody and support, sits in Title 20, Chapter 7.
State Vital Records and Non-Citizen Rules
Probate Court holds marriage records for licenses issued in Lexington County. If a license was issued in another county, contact that county. For state-level help, the South Carolina Bureau of Vital Statistics is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 898-3630.
Non-citizen applicants have their own ID rules. A non-U.S. citizen may present a valid passport with a current visa, a U.S. government Resident Alien card, or other suitable identification issued by the Department of Homeland Security. Foreign consular ID cards, international driving permits, and ICAP cards are not accepted. The marriage license fee is $30, with a marriage license correction at $6.75 and a re-issuance at $10.00.
Self-Represented Divorce Resources
People filing a divorce without a lawyer can use the state's self-represented packets. The South Carolina Judicial Branch publishes simple divorce packets with forms, service rules, the filing fee or waiver, and hearing requirements. These are a good starting point for a straightforward, uncontested case.
For the Family Court portal and other record searches, see the Lexington County court records page. Estates and guardianships are covered on the probate records page, and certified copies are handled by the Clerk of Court. A contested divorce, or one involving custody or support, usually calls for a lawyer rather than a self-help packet.