If you are trying to figure out how to get married online in South Carolina, you will quickly see that South Carolina still relies on a traditional probate court marriage license system. In most counties, you must apply with the probate court, provide proof of age and identification, wait at least twenty‑four hours, and then have an in‑person ceremony in South Carolina. By using Utah’s fully legal online marriage system through Distant Vows, South Carolina couples can get married online in South Carolina 100% virtually and receive a U.S. marriage certificate that is valid in South Carolina and all 50 states.
How South Carolina Marriage Usually Works if You Don’t Get Married Online in South Carolina
Under South Carolina law, you must obtain a marriage license before any ceremony can be performed in the state. Section 20‑1‑210 of the South Carolina Code requires a license, and Section 20‑1‑220 requires that a written application be filed at least twenty‑four hours before the license is issued.The license itself is valid only for marriages performed in South Carolina.
You can read the full marriage statutes in Title 20, Chapter 1 of the South Carolina Code here:
South Carolina Code – Title 20, Chapter 1 (Marriage).
Probate courts explain the local process in more detail:
- Charleston County requires applicants to complete an online application, upload valid photo ID and proof of Social Security number, sign a sworn statement that they are legally entitled to marry, and pay a non‑refundable fee (around 70 USD). There is a mandatory twenty‑four‑hour waiting period after the application before the license is issued by email.
See: Charleston County Probate Court – Marriage License Division. - Richland County confirms the twenty‑four‑hour waiting period after the application and notes that the marriage license is mailed after this period if everything is in order.
See: Richland County Probate Court – Marriage - Older Charleston County instructions also list acceptable IDs (driver’s license, certified birth certificate, SC ID card, military ID, or passport) and note that no blood test is required and there is no residency requirement.
See: Requirements for a Marriage License in South Carolina – Charleston County.
This combination of a mandatory twenty‑four‑hour waiting period, specific documents, and in‑state ceremony requirement is why many couples look for a way to get married online in South Carolina instead of working around courthouse hours and travel.
Documents and Age Requirements for a South Carolina Marriage License
South Carolina law sets clear minimum age rules and proof‑of‑age requirements for marriage. Section 20‑1‑100 states that anyone under sixteen is not capable of entering a valid marriage. For applicants sixteen or seventeen, parental or guardian consent is required, and proof of age must be provided.
County probate courts list the documents you typically need if you follow the traditional process:
- Government‑issued photo ID such as a valid driver’s license, state ID, current passport, or military ID.
- Original or certified copy of a birth certificate, especially when you are under twenty‑five or if the court needs additional proof of age.
- Proof of Social Security number or alien identification number (for example, Social Security card or official document showing the number), as required by courts like Charleston County.
- If previously married, a copy of the final divorce decree or documentation of a prior spouse’s death may be required before a new license is issued.
Applicants eighteen or older usually do not need parental consent, while applicants sixteen or seventeen must have a parent or legal guardian appear in person to sign a consent form and provide their own identification.
Are Online Weddings Allowed Directly if You Want to Get Married Online in South Carolina?
Some South Carolina counties now allow you to apply for a marriage license online and complete the sworn statements and payment virtually, but the license is still a South Carolina license that can only be used for a ceremony performed within the state. For example, Charleston County’s online system will email you a license that you print and use for a ceremony in South Carolina.
South Carolina law does not yet provide a statewide system where the entire marriage—license and ceremony—is completed by video while you remain at home and the legal marriage is created in another state.[web:86][web:90] That is why couples who want to get married online in South Carolina often choose to marry under Utah law via a live video ceremony and then use their Utah marriage certificate in South Carolina.
4 Steps to Get Married Online in South Carolina with Distant Vows (Through Utah)
With Distant Vows, the same four‑step process applies whether you want to get married online in South Carolina, Kentucky, or any other state. The legal engine is always Utah’s online marriage system, which allows couples to apply for a license and hold a ceremony entirely over video while still being recognized nationwide.
Step 1 – Verify Your Eligibility
First, you confirm that you and your partner meet basic Utah requirements and complete Distant Vows’ quick intake form. Typically, you both must be 18 or older, not currently married to anyone else, and able to join a live video call together. This is the foundation that lets you later get married online in South Carolina in a way that is fully valid under Utah law.
- Confirm you are legally free to marry (single, divorced, or widowed).
- Gather valid government‑issued photo IDs, such as a South Carolina driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
- Make sure you have a stable internet connection and a device with audio and video so you can comfortably get married online in South Carolina.
Step 2 – Choose Your Package and Ceremony Date
Next, you choose a Distant Vows package and select a ceremony date and time that works for your schedule in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, or anywhere else. You can keep the ceremony short and simple or personalize it with vows, readings, and guests watching online as you get married online in South Carolina.
- Select a basic legal‑only ceremony or a more personalized experience.
- Pick a time that works for your time zone and any guests joining from South Carolina or overseas.
- Tell us if you need witness support, custom vows, religious or civil wording, or language options.
Step 3 – Apply for Your Utah Online Marriage License
After you pick your date, you complete a Utah online marriage license application. Utah County’s system lets you submit everything digitally: your information, ID uploads, and signatures. You never have to visit a Utah courthouse, and you do not need to appear at a South Carolina probate court for this license because it is issued by Utah, even though your goal is to get married online in South Carolina.
- Fill out the secure Utah County application form online from your home in South Carolina.
- Upload clear images of your IDs and any requested documents, such as divorce decrees if applicable.
- Respond to any brief follow‑up from the Utah clerk if they need clarification before issuing the license.
Step 4 – Attend Your Online Ceremony and Get Your Certificate
On your wedding day, you and your partner join a live video ceremony with a Utah‑licensed officiant. Two adult witnesses are required; they can join from anywhere in the world, and Distant Vows can provide witnesses if you do not have friends or family available.
- Join from your home in South Carolina or any private, quiet location with good internet.
- Participate in a real‑time ceremony where you exchange vows and say “I do.” This is the moment you actually get married online in South Carolina, even though the legal ceremony is taking place under Utah law.
- After the ceremony, your officiant files the certificate in Utah and you receive your official Utah marriage certificate digitally and, if requested, by mail.
South Carolina In‑Person Marriage vs Online Utah Marriage
Before you decide how to get married online in South Carolina, it helps to compare the traditional South Carolina probate‑court process with a Utah online wedding through Distant Vows.
| Feature | Traditional South Carolina Marriage | Get Married Online with Distant Vows (Utah) |
|---|---|---|
| Where the license is issued | South Carolina probate court in any county (for example, Charleston County or Richland County).[web:89][web:92] | Utah County Clerk via a secure online application. |
| Waiting period | Mandatory waiting period of at least 24 hours between filing the application and license issuance under Section 20‑1‑220. | No in‑person waiting room; your Utah license is issued after online review, and Distant Vows schedules your ceremony once it is approved. |
| Where the ceremony happens | In person in South Carolina, using a South Carolina license and an officiant authorized by Section 20‑1‑20. | Live video ceremony with a Utah‑licensed officiant; you join from South Carolina. |
| Recognition in South Carolina | Valid in South Carolina. | Valid in South Carolina and all 50 states once properly issued and filed in Utah, because South Carolina generally recognizes marriages valid where celebrated. |
| Online options | Some online applications, but still built around an in‑person style license and in‑state ceremony. | Designed from the ground up for fully online licensing and ceremony. |
| International use | May require apostille or legalization, depending on the foreign country’s rules. | Utah certificate can receive an apostille for use in many countries, even if you get married online in South Carolina. Learn more at Distant Vows apostille services. |
Immigration and Long‑Distance Couples in South Carolina
Many South Carolina couples use a Utah online marriage when one partner lives abroad and the other is in South Carolina. As long as your ceremony is live, follows Utah law, and is not a mere paper proxy, a Utah marriage certificate can generally support spousal visa and green card applications, subject to federal immigration rules and consular requirements.
If you need your marriage recognized by another country, Distant Vows can also help you obtain an apostille so your Utah certificate can be used internationally where that process is accepted. This is especially helpful if you get married online in South Carolina while your partner remains overseas. You can see how our apostille process works here:
do you need an apostille.
Using Your Utah Certificate in South Carolina
After you get married online in South Carolina through Utah, your certified Utah marriage certificate becomes the key document for updating your records. South Carolina agencies and businesses generally look for a valid U.S. marriage certificate, not a specific state name.[web:86][web:90]
- Change your name with the Social Security Administration.
- Update your South Carolina driver’s license or ID through the SCDMV.
- Adjust your name and marital status with banks, employers, schools, and insurance providers.
This is why couples who get married online in South Carolina through Utah can still handle all their legal and practical updates locally without issues.
FAQ: Getting Married Online in South Carolina
Is it legal to get married online in South Carolina?
South Carolina recognizes marriages that are valid where they are performed.[web:86][web:90] When you get married online in South Carolina through Utah’s system, your marriage is valid in Utah and must generally be recognized in South Carolina, even though the ceremony happens over video.
Do we still need to apply for a South Carolina marriage license?
No. If you choose the Utah online route, your license is issued by Utah, not by a South Carolina probate court. You do not need to apply for a South Carolina license to be legally married if you get married online in South Carolina through Utah instead.
What documents are required if we follow the traditional South Carolina process?
Typically you need government‑issued photo ID, proof of age (such as a certified birth certificate if requested), and proof of Social Security number or alien identification number. If you are under eighteen, a parent or legal guardian must appear in person with ID to sign a consent form, and anyone under sixteen cannot marry at all in South Carolina under Section 20‑1‑100.
Can military couples get married using the Utah process?
Yes. The Utah online marriage process works very well for military couples where one partner is deployed or stationed away from South Carolina. Both partners can join from different locations as long as they are on the same live video call, which makes it easier to get married online in South Carolina without coordinating leave, travel, and probate court appointments. You can read more about how this works for service members at
online military weddings.
Do we have to travel to Utah?
No. You never have to travel to Utah. All four steps – eligibility, package selection, license application, and ceremony – are handled online while you stay in South Carolina or wherever you live and plan to get married online in South Carolina.
Can same‑sex couples get married online this way?
Yes. Same‑sex marriages are treated the same under Utah and federal law, so same‑sex couples in South Carolina can get married online in South Carolina through Utah and receive the same legal certificate as any other couple.
How fast can we get married online from South Carolina?
Many couples complete all four steps and receive their digital certificate in just a few days, and rush options can make it possible to get married online in South Carolina and be legally married even sooner, depending on schedule availability.
Ready to Get Married Online in South Carolina?
If you are ready to get married online in South Carolina, Distant Vows makes the process simple. Our four‑step system walks you from eligibility to your official U.S. marriage certificate, with licensed Utah officiants, witness support, and clear guidance at every stage.
Start today, choose your date, and let us handle the legal details so you can get married online in South Carolina without leaving home. You can begin by completing our intake form at get married online.