Please make sure your envelope is addressed to "Vital Records" for all mail requests.
Records are available for marriages between July 1950 and December 2022. For marriage records prior to or after these dates, you will need to contact the Probate Court that originally issued the marriage license. Find the Probate Court in your county.
Request a Copy of a Marriage Certificate
1. Online or by phone through VitalChek
Average processing time is 5-7 business days.
Visit VitalChek on the web or call 1-877-284-1008, 7 days a week, 24-hours-a-day. Only the persons named on the marriage certificate, their adult children or a present or former spouse may order through VitalChek.
You will need to provide:
- A $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee
- $3 for each additional copy
- $12.85 additional charge to pay for the services of VitalChek
- Shipping fees should you choose to have your record sent to you by UPS rather than regular U.S. mail
- Only the person named on the marriage certificate, their adult children or a present or former spouse may order through VitalChek.
2. In-Person
Average processing time is 30-45 minutes.
Same day service is a goal of Vital Records; most requests can be processed the same day. For services that require additional processing time such as paternity affidavits, corrections and amendments; please arrive early to ensure adequate time to process your request. Same day service is not guaranteed for requests such as paternity affidavits, adoption processing, corrections and amendments.
You will need to provide:
- A completed application form
- A $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee
- $3 for each additional copy
- A valid government, school or employer issued photo ID.
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
3. By Mail
* Mail requests are only accepted at the state office in Richland County.
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:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
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