Getting a Marriage License in York County
Marriage licenses in York County are handled by the Probate Court, not the Clerk of Court. You apply in person. The Probate Court takes applications between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. An appointment is required because volume is high. Call 803-684-8513 or email the court to set one up. The license costs $50. You can pay by cash, check, or money order. One rule trips up couples often: a York County license is valid only for a ceremony performed in South Carolina. If you plan to marry in North Carolina or any other state, you need that state's license instead.
There is a tax angle worth knowing. Couples who finish a qualifying premarital preparation course before they apply, and who bring a completion certificate, may qualify for a $50 non-refundable state income tax credit under S.C. Code § 20-1-230. The certificate does not lower the $50 county application fee. It supports the separate state credit. Bring identification to the appointment. The county page does not spell out the exact ID rules, so confirm what to bring with the Probate Court before you go.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
The process is short once you have your appointment set. Both applicants appear together. Here is the order of steps.
- Contact York County Probate Court to book an appointment by phone at 803-684-8513 or by email.
- Appear together during application hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Bring required identification and any premarital course completion certificate you wish to use for the state tax credit.
- Pay the $50 fee by cash, check, or money order.
- Use the license only for a ceremony performed in South Carolina.
- Request certified copies later in person, by mail with $5 and a self-addressed stamped envelope, or online through the state probate portal.
Note: A York County marriage license cannot be used for a wedding held outside South Carolina, so plan the ceremony location before you apply.
Marriage License Application Fields
The county page does not publish every blank on the application, but it does spell out the core requirements. The table below lists what the Probate Court collects or requires when you apply. Treat the identity and payment items as firm. Confirm exact ID details with the court, since the county page does not list them.
| Field / Requirement | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment | Yes | Required due to high volume; call 803-684-8513 or email the court. |
| Applicant 1 name and identity | Yes | Standard probate application collects identifying information. |
| Applicant 2 name and identity | Yes | Both parties apply together. |
| Government ID | Likely yes | County page does not list ID details; verify before your visit. |
| Fee | Yes | $50 by cash, check, or money order. |
| Premarital course certificate | Optional | May support a $50 state income tax credit. |
| Ceremony location | Yes | License valid only for ceremonies performed in South Carolina. |
York County Marriage and Divorce Fees
Costs are split between the offices that hold each record. Probate Court charges for the license and for certified marriage copies. Family Court filing fees are set by state law and are not posted as a flat number on the county marriage page. The table lists the marriage-side fees the county confirms, plus the certified-copy charge.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $50 |
| Certified marriage license copy | $5 per copy |
| Premarital course state income tax credit | $50 (non-refundable, under S.C. Code § 20-1-230) |
| Mailed certified copy | $5 per copy plus a self-addressed stamped envelope |
Divorce filing fees are paid to the Clerk of Court at Family Court. Filers who cannot afford the fee may ask the court for in forma pauperis status.
How to Look Up York County Marriage Records
Marriage records are searchable online through the South Carolina Probate Search portal. The county dropdown lists York Marriage as its own option, separate from York Probate. Pick the right one. The portal lets you search by case number or by name. Marriage licenses are available online according to the York Probate page. The system also covers estate files, which is why the marriage and probate categories sit side by side.
To find a marriage record, you mainly need a name or a case number. Names must match the record, so try the full legal name first. A maiden name or a middle initial can help when a search comes up empty. The portal also accepts a percent-sign wildcard in front of a search term, which is useful when you are unsure of a spelling. If you do not want to use the online portal, certified copies can be requested by mail or in person. The same probate portal that holds York County probate records is the front door for marriage searches too.
One more access route helps when the internet is not an option. Marriage licenses and estate files can be viewed on public computers in the Register of Deeds office at the Government Center on South Congress Street. That matters while the Historical Courthouse stays closed for renovations.
How to Find York County Divorce Records
Divorce is a Family Court matter in South Carolina. It is not a probate record, so do not look for it on the probate portal. York County Family Court sits in Rock Hill at 1555 West Main Street, and its phone is 803-909-7100. The Clerk of Court is responsible for Family Court records. Divorce docket activity may show up on the statewide Public Index where the case is public. Certified divorce copies should be requested from the Clerk or Family Court.
A divorce file holds a lot, but not all of it is open. The docket may be searchable while sensitive attachments stay sealed or absent. Child custody, visitation, child support, guardian ad litem material, DSS records, abuse and neglect filings, and minor identifying information all get extra protection. Adoption and juvenile matters are restricted by statute. So a public docket entry does not mean every page is open to view. Treat divorce records as partly public, partly protected.
How to File for Divorce in York County
Filing for divorce runs through Family Court and the Clerk of Court. The steps below outline the path. People without a lawyer can use the South Carolina Judicial Branch self-represented litigant resources, including simple divorce packets.
- Confirm residency and grounds under South Carolina family law.
- Prepare Family Court pleadings, using the Judicial Branch self-help packets if you proceed on your own.
- File through York County Family Court at 1555 West Main Street in Rock Hill, or through attorney e-filing where required.
- Pay the filing fee, or request in forma pauperis status if you are eligible.
- Serve the opposing party.
- Attend temporary hearings, mediation, support and custody proceedings, and the final hearing as ordered.
Getting Certified Copies
Certified copies matter when an uncertified printout will not do. A name change at the Social Security office, an immigration filing, or a court proceeding usually needs a certified copy, not a screenshot. For a marriage license, no appointment is needed to request a certified copy. You can drop off or pick up documents without one too. The cost is $5 per requested copy. By mail, send $5 per copy and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Probate Court. The county page does not say cards are accepted for mailed copy requests, so plan on cash, check, or money order.
For divorce, request certified copies from the Clerk of Court or Family Court that handled the case. If you only need proof of divorce, the local court is the place to start. If you need statewide vital-record verification, South Carolina vital records eligibility rules apply, and only certain years and certain requesters qualify.