Marriage Applications/Licenses

Both parties (prospective applicants) are required to be physically present to apply for a marriage license. An application may not be taken by mail, telephone, or fax, by one party only or by proxy. Office hours for taking marriage license applications: Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. THERE IS A MANDATORY TWENTY-FOUR (24) HOUR WAITING PERIOD FROM THE TIME OF THE APPLICATION UNTIL THE ISSUANCE OF THE LICENSE. Blood tests and physical examinations are not required.

The application fee for a marriage license is $45. We do not make change. We do not accept personal checks. We do accept Master Card or Visa and cash.

Required documents: Applicants must furnish valid, government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, state ID card, military ID, passport, or visa. Applicants are required to provide their Social Security card (copies will not be retained) or their alien identification card (copies will not be retained) if they are resident aliens who do not have Social Security numbers.

Applicants must bring a Divorce Decree if a maiden name was restored or a Court Order regarding a legal name change.

Parental consent is required for an applicant between the ages of 16 and 18. A marriage license will not be issued if either applicant is under the age of 16. Applicants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by consenting parents/guardians and must furnish (in addition to government issued ID as described above) a certified copy of a birth certificate (long form) or a baptismal or hospital certificate (issued and dated within one (1) year after birth). Legal guardians (other than parents) must provide documentation reflecting guardianship/custody and two (2) types of identification (One being government issued ID). Parents/Guardians must provide two (2) types of identification (One being government issued ID). If parents are divorced then custody documentation is required.

The Aiken County Probate Court does not perform marriage ceremonies. A marriage ceremony may be performed by members of the clergy, by a chief or spiritual leader of a recognized Native American Indian entity and by Officers authorized to administer oaths in this State, e.g., South Carolina and Federal Court Judges and South Carolina Notaries Public. Witnesses are not required. The ceremony must take place in South Carolina, but not necessarily within the County where the license was issued.

Certified copies of recorded marriage licenses may be requested by mail, addressed to Aiken County Probate Court, Post Office Box 1576, Aiken, SC 29802, or in person at the Aiken County Probate Court. The names of the applicants and the date of the marriage are required. The fee is $5 each.