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: at the main office in Beaufort, Monday through Friday (holidays excepted), 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., by appointments only; at the satellite office on Hilton Head Island, Monday through Friday (holidays excepted), 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., by appointment only. THERE IS A 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. Meetings and all related court business are by appointment only.

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 numbers, or their alien identification numbers if they are resident aliens who do not have Social Security numbers. For information regarding fees and payment methods, click on the "Court Fees" tab.

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 parent and must furnish (in addition to government-issued ID described above) a certified copy of a birth certificate or a hospital or baptismal certificate (issued and dated within one year after birth).

The 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 County where the license was issued.

Certified copies of recorded marriage licenses may be requested by mail, addressed to Beaufort County Probate Court, P. O. Box 1083, Beaufort, SC 29901, or in person at the Beaufort or Hilton Head Island offices of the Probate Court. The names of the applicants and the date of the marriage are required. For information regarding fees and payment methods, click on "Court Fees" tab.