How to Perform a Marriage in Charleston County

Researched and edited for you by trained team members at GetOrdained.org

There are few greater honors than presiding over the union of two happy people ready to begin a new life together. Being asked to officiate a wedding is exciting, but it's also a great responsibility; it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by it all. That's why our goal is to make the process as smooth as possible! This guide will take you step by step through the officiating process, from how to get ordained online to the specific registration requirements in Charleston County, and everything in between.

1. How to Become a Minister in Charleston County

The first thing you'll need to do is get ordained as a minister of the Universal Life Church. If you're already ordained you can skip to the next section, but if not, you'll want to go ahead and click the button below to sign up as a minister. Get Ordained™ provides free ordination through ULC, has no specific faith requirements, and can be completed in moments. Congrats, you're on your first step towards officiating completely legal wedding ceremonies!

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Important Info for Ministers in Charleston County

ULC Ordination Accepted:: Yes
Minister Registration Required:: Sometimes
Documents Required:: N/A
Minister's Residency:: Irrelevant
Minister's Minimum Age:: 18

2. Learn Charleston County Marriage Requirements

After ordination, the next step is contacting the specific office that issues marriage licenses in Charleston County. Inform them that you're an ordained minister officiating a wedding, and ask them if they need to see any specific credentials or documents from you in order to perform a wedding. The contact information for that office in Charleston County is listed below.

Office Address:: 100 Broad Street, Suite 469
Charleston, SC 29401
Office Phone Number:: (843) 958-5183
Office Website:: Charleston County Office Website

3. Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Charleston County?

Well, you can, for starters! More and more, couples are asking a close friend or family member to help them tie the knot, cutting costs by foregoing costly professionals and making their wedding more personal all in one go.

Not everyone knows that they can get an officiant ordained online, however! If you're close with a couple who've recently announced their engagement, you may consider informing them that anyone can perform their wedding by getting ordained online. You might even consider offering yourself as a prospective officiant!

Average Cost of a Wedding in Charleston County:: $20,000

4. What You'll Need to Officiate in Charleston County

Once you've contacted the office issuing the marriage license in Charleston County, you should have an understanding of what exactly you'll want to order from our online store. A popular option in Charleston County is the Classic Wedding Kit with a Letter of Good Standing, which will cover all your bases and more.

Now that you've done your homework and ordered your package, it's time for the fun part: Officiating the actual wedding! If this is your first time helping a couple tie the knot (or you just need a quick refresher), we'd encourage you to take a look at our wedding training center, which has all the resources you'll need to pull off an incredible ceremony.

5. How Charleston County Marriage Licenses Work

Once you've officiated the wedding, all that's left to do is sign and return the marriage license. We get it, this is the unexciting legal part, but this is a crucial step to ensuring the wedding you just performed is valid in the eyes of the law. Once the marriage license has been picked up, there is a mandatory one-day waiting period. A Marriage license in Charleston County does not expire, and it must be return within the time limit given after all parties sign it.

We highly encourage you to double and triple-check that the marriage license is filled out properly before it is returned to the appropriate office. After all, this is a legal document. If you have questions about how to fill it out properly, please take a look at our marriage license training page for detailed instruction.

Marriage License Waiting Period:: 1 Day
Marriage License Valid For:: Never Expires
Return Within:: 15 days

6. Performing a Wedding in Charleston County

Charleston County, South Carolina rests smack dab in the middle of the "Bible Belt" and is home to the bustling city of Charleston. Much of the city gems are hidden in small alleys around Ansonborough and are quieter and more secluded. Being home to so many university students injects new life and youth into this area, which is also considered one of the best places to retire in the USA. Couples can choose wedding venues from modest beach cottages to sprawling mansions. Any wedding held here is sure to be an elegant affair!

7. What You Should Do Now for a Wedding in Charleston County

The wedding season starts in mid-spring because of the favorable weather and clear skies. The temperature tends to range in the mid-'80s though the summer so is sure to stay cool and drink plenty of water.

If you've come this far, you're practically an expert on performing weddings in Charleston County! If you haven't already, remember to get ordained online with the ULC by clicking the button below, and start officiating!