How to Find South Carolina Marriage Records

How To Find U.S. Marriage Records How To Find South Carolina Marriage Records

Finding South Carolina Marriage Records
Marriages were not recorded by the counties or the state of South Carolina until July 1, 1911 when the county probate judge's office was required to issue marriage licenses. In July 1950, the county was required to send a copy to the state of South Carolina.

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Next Step: When did the marriage occur?

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 * Marriage Records


 * Choose a time period:
 * Before 1911
 * 1911 to 1949
 * 1950 to Present
 * Marriage year unknown


 * }

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1911
Marriages were not recorded by the counties or the state of South Carolina until July 1, 1911 when the county probate judge's office was required to issue marriage licenses.

If you did not find your ancestor in the above indexes, try searching for marriage information in other records.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages from 1911 to 1949
County probate judge's offices began registering marriage licenses starting July 1, 1911.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information
'''Still can't find your ancestor in the above indexes? Try one of the following other records. listed in the table.'''

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record
PART A: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records or the above indexes


 * Order the marriage record from the county probate judge's offices in the county the marriage took place.

'''Still can't find your ancestor in the above indexes? Try one of the following:''' Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages from 1950 to Present
The Vital Records office of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has copies of marriages from July 1950 to 2010. The county probate judge also keeps a copy of the marriage.


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 * width="100%" align="center" colspan="3" | Below is one small marriage database containing a very small portion of the marriages that took place. Marriage information is taken from substitute records such as church records.
 * South Carolina Marriages, 1641-1965
 * free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers
 * $, Use your own Ancestry subscription
 * }
 * $, Use your own Ancestry subscription
 * }

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record
PART A: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records or the above indexes


 * Order the marriage record from the county probate judge's offices in the county the marriage took place.

OR


 * Order the marriage record from the Vital Records office of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

PART B: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage


 * If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for the marriage date for a fee from the Register of Deeds at the County Courthouse.
 * If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can try searching for marriage information in other records.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

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