How to Perform a Marriage in Richland County

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

If you've been asked to officiate a wedding, you know it's an exciting opportunity. However, it can also be a bit intimidating. That's why we've put together this guide on officiating weddings in Richland County! We'll go over everything you need to know, from how to get ordained, to how to contact your local wedding registrar, and what, exactly, you'll need from us.

1. How to Become a Minister in Richland County

If you haven't already, you'll want to get ordained as a ULC minister by clicking the button below. Get Ordained™ offers ordination through Universal Life Church within moments and completely free of charge. All you have to do is sign up, fill out a short form, and you'll be a legally ordained minister, able to officiate weddings and more. Sign up today!

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Important Info for Ministers in Richland County

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

2. Learn Richland County Marriage Requirements

Once you're ordained, the next thing you'll want to do is contact the office in Richland County that handles marriage licenses. You'll want to tell them that you're an ordained minister officiating a wedding, and ask what documentation they want to see from you in order to officiate a wedding. You can find the Richland County office's contact information below.

Office Address:: 1701 Main Street, Room 205
Columbia, SC 29201
Office Phone Number:: (803) 576-1950
Office Website:: Richland County Office Website

3. Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Richland County?

If you're ordained as a minister of the Universal Life Church, you can! Many couples are choosing to both cut costs and personalize their event by enlisting a close family friend or loved one to officiate their ceremony.

The couple could ask anyone, but they've asked you to forever be a part of their love story! Consider it a great honor. It's important to note that not everyone knows that this is even an option. If you know someone who has an upcoming wedding, you might consider asking who is performing their ceremony, and let them know that you're available if needed. Who knows, you might just get a reputation as a go-to officiant!

Average Cost of a Wedding in Richland County:: $24,000

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

The office in Richland County will be able to tell you what you'll need to pick up from our online store in order to perform a wedding. One of the most popular options for ministers in Richland County is the Classic Wedding Kit with a Letter of Good Standing!

Now you can get to the fun part: officiating the wedding itself. Whether it's your first time performing a wedding, or you just need to refresh your memory, we suggest taking a look at our wedding training center, which is full of all the resources you'll need to give the couple the wedding they deserve.

5. How Richland County Marriage Licenses Work

With the ceremony complete, the last - and most important - responsibility remains: Signing and returning the marriage license. A marriage license in Richland County does not expire, so don't delay. Keep in mind that once the marriage license has been obtained, there is a mandatory one-day waiting period before the wedding ceremony can happen. Also note that the marriage license must be returned to the office that issued it within the time limit given after it has been signed.

Remember, this is a legal document! Take your time to ensure that it's been filled out properly before it is returned to the issuing office. If you need in-depth instructions on how to fill it out, take a look at our marriage license training page for assistance.

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

6. Performing a Wedding in Richland County

Richland County has many breathtaking scenes that can act as the perfect backdrop to a wedding ceremony. The neighborhoods in the area are well kept and growing to this day! There are plenty of restaurants to choose from and enjoy as well. Richland Co. is home to the University of South Carolina, bringing with it the youthful spirit and energy to the nightlife of Columbia. Columbia itself offers many options when it comes to vendors to pick from on the big day. The best part is you are roughly an equal distance away from Greenville, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach making the possibilities almost endless!

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

The summer in Richland County is extremely hot, averaging temperatures in the mid 90s. In the

You know the ins and outs of officiating weddings in Richland County now, but don't forget to sign up as a ULC minister for free by clicking the button below!