- Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Telephone: (803) 898-3630
- Address: 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201
3. By Mail
* Mail requests are only accepted at the state office.
Average processing time is 4 weeks.
You will need to send:
- A completed application form
- A $12 non-refundable standard searching fee ($3 for each additional copy)
- A photocopy of a valid government, school or employer issued photo ID. When we receive applications without proper identification, we reject them automatically; we do not process them.
Mail to:
Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 2046
West Columbia, SC 29171
Mail requests are only accepted at the state office.
4. Drop-off
* Drop-off requests are only accepted at the state office in Richland County.
You will need to provide:
- A completed application form.
- You may select a standard $12 non-refundable search fee with a processing time of 4 weeks or an expedited $17 non-refundable search fee with a processing time of 5 business days or less (search fee includes one certified copy of the marriage certificate).
- $3 for each additional copy
- You must pay with exact cash, money order, or cashier's check made payable to S.C. DHEC.
- A valid government, school or employer-issued photo ID.
Additional information:
- We'll give you a receipt when you drop off your request.
- We can mail your marriage certificate to you or you can pick it up at the Columbia state office.
Where to Go:
- DHEC State Vital Records Office, Columbia
- Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Telephone: (803) 898-3630
- Address: 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201
Who can obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate?
You are entitled to obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate if you are:
- One of the married party (bride or groom)
- The married party's adult child(ren)
- A present or former spouse of either married party, or
- The married party's legal representative.
Other applicants may be provided with a statement that the marriage occurred, including the date and county in which the marriage license was issued.
How do I amend or change the information on a marriage certificate?
To amend or change any information on a marriage certificate please visit the Probate Court in the county where the marriage occurred.
How do I apply for a license to marry in South Carolina?
A couple planning to marry in South Carolina must apply for a license at a South Carolina county probate court.
What information is needed to apply for a marriage certificate?
- Full name of the groom
- Full name of the bride
- Full date of marriage (month, day, year)
- County where the marriage license was issued
- Signature of the person requesting the marriage certificate and their current mailing address
- The relationship between the married parties and the person requesting the certified copy
- Full name and complete mailing address of the person to whom the certificate is to be mailed
- Area code and daytime telephone number of the person requesting the marriage certificate
How can I check on the status of a marriage certificate request?
If you have not received any response to your request within 30 days of submission, you may call 803-898-3630 or e-mail us (vrrequeststatus@dhec.sc.gov) for an update.
What marriage records are available?
Certified copies of marriage records from July 1950 to December 2018 may be obtained from the Vital Records Office in Columbia, South Carolina, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
Copies of marriage records that occurred PRIOR to July 1950 and after December 2018 may be obtained from the Office of the Probate in the county where the original marriage license was issued. Fees charged by DHEC for these services do not apply to copies obtained from the Office of the Probate Judge.
For more information, contact Constituent Services.
