Courthouse Wedding Cost in South Carolina

Picture of By  Annie Collins

By Annie Collins

Courthouse weddings in South Carolina offer couples a straightforward and economical way to make their marriage official. This low-key ceremony sidesteps the pressures and costs of an elaborate, traditional wedding. The fees for obtaining a marriage license and having the civil ceremony performed are minimal compared to hosting a full scale wedding. Here is what you can expect the cost of a courthouse wedding in South Carolina to be.

A courthouse wedding in South Carolina varies by county and can range anywhere from $45 to $75+ depending on the county.

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How Much Does a Courthouse Wedding Cost in South Carolina?

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How Much Does a Courthouse Wedding Cost in South Carolina?

A courthouse wedding in South Carolina will normally cost between $45 to $75 depending on the county. This is slightly less than the cost of a courthouse wedding in North Carolina. The marriage license fee varies by county but will be the only required cost to consider. Most counties do not offer a ceremony but a public notary can serve as your officiant if needed which can save you money.

Additional costs like hiring a photographer or bringing along wedding guests vary widely based on each couple’s preferences. But the essential legal fees to make the marriage official range from $45 to $75 in most South Carolina counties.

Marriage License$45 – $75 (varies by county)
Marriage Ceremony$0 (not offered at courts)
Photographer (optional)$50 – $500+

Marriage License Cost in South Carolina

The cost of a marriage license in SC varies by county. Each county court charges a different amount for a wedding license. The cost of a marriage license in South Carolina can range anywhere from $40 all the way up to $75. The marriage license cost will be the only official cost required for your courthouse wedding in SC as most courts do not offer wedding ceremonies. This means one less cost to worry about.

Courthouse Wedding Ceremony Cost in South Carolina

Most counties in South Carolina do not offer courthouse wedding ceremonies. There may be a public notary who is willing to serve as your officiant but there are not specific courthouse wedding ceremony services offered by county courts. The only cost you should be prepared for is the cost of your marriage license which varies by county.

Courthouse Wedding Cost in Charleston

$70 marriage license in Charleston County.

A courthouse wedding in Charleston, South Carolina will cost around $70 total and must be paid in cash. While there is no advertised ceremony service offered at the Charleston County courthouse, the state of South Carolina does allow any public notary to serve as your officiant which can save you money on paying extra for a courthouse wedding ceremony in Charleston. Once your ceremony is complete and the license is signed, you can return it to the court and sail off into the sunset.

Keep in mind, you do not have to get your marriage license in Charleston. You can elope in Charleston but pick up a marriage license in a county with a lower cost before the ceremony. This can save you upwards of $30 on your courthouse wedding in Charleston.

Courthouse Wedding Cost in Greenville

$75 marriage license in Greenville County.

The cost of getting married at the courthouse in Greenville, South Carolina is $75. This is one of the most expensive places to have a courthouse wedding in the palmetto state. This marriage license fee must be paid in cash. Greenville County court specifically mentions that they do not perform ceremonies at the court. You must leave the court for your ceremony then return the signed license to the court for it to be validated. Again a notary can serve as your officiant if you do not have one in mind.

Courthouse Wedding Cost in Columbia

$45.24 marriage license in Richland County.

Looking for one of the cheapest places for a courthouse wedding in South Carolina? A courthouse wedding in Columbia, SC is an affordable option. The basic cost for an intimate legal ceremony in Richland County Courthouse is only $45.24, a very specific amount which can be paid with debit or credit cards. Like both Charleston and Greenville counties, Richland County Courthouse does not offer courthouse wedding ceremonies. You will need to take your license perform your ceremony outside of the courthouse with an officiant, then return the license to the courthouse.

Final Thoughts

Getting married at the courthouse provides couples a fast, frugal option to make their union legal. While marriage license fees are consistent statewide, ceremony costs vary by county from $0 to $120. With all the venues, cakes, and dresses today’s weddings entail, the simplicity and affordability of tying the knot at the courthouse still appeals to budget-minded couples focu

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