Charleston SC Officiants & Chapels

Chapels, Officiants & Marriage License Information The Officiant you select to preside over your wedding is critical to the ceremony. A level of comfort and rapport is desirable when inviting a person to participate in this momentous occasion. If vows are at a church, temple mosque, or chapel, you can find ceremonies for that day. If there is a family friend or a clergy member who is meaningful or unique to you, ask if they might be welcome to preside over your nuptials. Suppose you are planning a non-traditional ceremony (not performed in a place of organized religion). You may want to schedule interviews with available ministers or with Public Notaries to see if they are a good choice for you both. If you seek a non-denominational religious ceremony, be sure to ask if the minister you interview is open to the wording you desire.

A Notary Public has a traditional non-denominational ceremony they can perform but is usually willing to conduct the service you prefer. Ask if the prospective Officiant will allow you to write your ceremony if that's what you wish, or ask if they will work with you to write the ceremony as you envision it. Ask about their fees and whether it is inclusive of travel. The Officiant you choose will be a part of your wedding memories for all times. Take the time and decide who is suitable for you—steps to obtaining a marriage license.

Steps to obtaining a marriage license in Charleston

Both the prospective bride and groom must apply at the same time at a South Carolina County Courthouse Marriage License Bureau. Courthouses are usually open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays only.

There is a 24-hour waiting period before the license can be picked up (either the bride or the groom). When applying for the permit, a fee, which may vary according to location, is collected. The Courthouse will accept CASH only, not a check or credit card. The price is on the website for Charleston County.

In South Carolina, no required blood test or physical. No proof of divorce is needed, though instances where a clerk of the court asked for proof of divorce if it had been less than a year. A driver's license and social security number are generally all that is needed. A birth certificate is not required. You do not need to be a resident of South Carolina OR the United States to marry in South Carolina., except in Myrtle Beach, which will not issue a marriage license to foreign nationals. Go to Georgetown or Charleston counties. Remember, if you wish to get married on a Saturday, you will need to apply for your license on Thursday. You may also use it earlier, and the marriage license does not expire. Contact any South Carolina County Courthouse Marriage License Bureau for more information. You may obtain your marriage license from any SC courthouse and use it in any other county.

Finding the Charleston County Courthouse

The Marriage License Bureau is located at 100 Broad Street, Suite 469, in the Judicial Center. The phone number is (843) 958-5183. For visitors to Charleston, this is near the intersection of Meeting and Broad streets, often referred to as "The Four Corners of Law". Take East Bay, Meeting Street or King Street south; this will intersect Broad Street.

If you are under 18 years of age, contact the Marriage License Bureau for further information about the requirements.

Please provide the marriage license to the officiant upon arrival to perform the ceremony.

Wedding Group Rooms