- ULC Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Minister Registration Required: Sometimes
- State Residency: Irrelevant
- Minimum Age to Officiate: 18
- Marriage License Waiting Period: 1 Day
- Marriage License Validity Period: Never Expires
- Marriage License Return Period: 15 Days
- Documents Recommended: Classic Wedding Kit
How to Become an Ordained Minister in South Carolina
If you haven't yet become ordained with the Universal Life Church, that is the first step. Anyone willing can become a legal minister of the ULC, one of the world's largest religious organizations. Online ordination is fast, easy, and completely free. Once you have your minister license, you'll be eligible to officiate a wedding. To become a minister, start by clicking the button below!
How to Officiate a Wedding in South Carolina
Contact the office of the probate court in the county where the wedding will take place (unlike in most states, marriage licenses in South Carolina are issued by the probate courts). Introduce yourself as a minister officiating a wedding, and ask them what documents they will need from you. They may ask to see a number of things, and be aware that these requirements vary from county to county. Rest assured that any materials or documents you might need are available in the Church Supplies section of our website.
Select your county to view contact information for each office:
Abbeville County
903 W. Greenwood St., Suite 2300
Abbeville, SC 29620
(864) 366-5312 ext 62
(864) 366-4023
Abbeville County website »
Aiken County
109 Park Avenue SE, Room E126
Aiken, SC 29801
(803) 642-2009
(803) 642-2007
Aiken County website »
Allendale County
526 Memorial Avenue
Allendale, SC 29810
(803) 584-3157
(803) 584-7046
Allendale County website »
Anderson County
100 S. Main Street
Anderson, SC 29624
(864) 260-4049
(864) 260-4715
Anderson County website »
Bamberg County
2959 Main Highway, Room 103
Bamberg, SC 29003
(803) 245-5191
(803) 245-3027
Bamberg County website »
Barnwell County
141 Main St, Room 108
Barnwell, SC 29812
(803) 541-1031
(803) 541-1012
Barnwell County website »
Beaufort County
102 Ribaut Road
Beaufort, SC
(843) 255-5857
(843) 255-9447
Beaufort County website »
Berkeley County
300-B California Avenue
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
(843) 719-4519
(843) 719-4527
Berkeley County website »
Charleston County
100 Broad Street, Suite 469
Charleston, SC
(843) 958-5183
(843) 958-5191
Charleston County website »
Chester County
1476 J.A. Cochran Bypass
Chester, SC 29706
(803) 385-2604
(855) 932-9283
Chester County website »
Chesterfield County
Courthouse, 200 West Main Street
Chesterfield, SC
(843) 623-2376
(843) 623-9886
Chesterfield County website »
Clarendon County
411 Sunset Dr, Suite 1304
Manning, SC 29102
(803) 435-8774
(803) 435-8698
Clarendon County website »
Colleton County
239 N. Jefferies Blvd.
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 549-7216
(843) 549-5571
Colleton County website »
Darlington County
1 Public Square, 2nd Floor, Room 208
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-4310
(843) 398-4076
Darlington County website »
Dillon County
401 W Main St Room 303
Dillon, SC 29536
(843) 774-1423
(843) 841-3732
Dillon County website »
Dorchester County
5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard
St. George, SC 29477
(843) 832-0104
Dorchester County website »
Edgefield County
124 Courthouse Square
Edgefield, SC 29824
(803) 637-4080
Edgefield County website »
Fairfield County
101 S. Congress St.
Winnsboro, SC 29180
(803) 712-6519
(803) 712-6939
Fairfield County website »
Florence County
180 N Irby St # Msc-L
Florence, SC
(843) 665-3085
(843) 665-3068
Florence County website »
Georgetown County
401 Cleland Street, Room 140
Georgetown, SC 29440
(843) 545-3274
(843) 545-3512
Georgetown County website »
Greenville County
Greenville County Square, Suite 5600
Greenville, SC
(864) 467-7571
Greenville County website »
Greenwood County
528 Monument Street, Room 205
Greenwood, SC 29646
(864) 942-8625
(864) 942-8620
Greenwood County website »
Hampton County
1 Courthouse Square
Hampton, SC
(803) 914-2172
(803) 914-2183
Hampton County website »
Horry County
1301 Second Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 915-5370
(843) 915-6370
Horry County website »
Jasper County
265 Russell St.
Ridegland, SC 29936
(843) 726-7718
(843) 726-5173
Jasper County website »
Lancaster County
104 North Main Street
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-3379
(803) 283-3370
Lancaster County website »
Laurens County
100 Hillcrest Square, Suite A
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3538
(864) 984-7023
Laurens County website »
Lexington County
205 East Main Street, Suite 134
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 785-8324
Lexington County website »
Marion County
2523 East Highway 76
Marion, SC 29571
(843) 423-8244
(843) 423-8242
Marion County website »
Marlboro County
105 Main Street
Bennettsville, SC 29512
(843) 479-5613
(843) 479-5653
Marlboro County website »
McCormick County
133 S. Mine Street, Room 101
McCormick, SC
(864) 852-2195
(864) 852-0071
McCormick County website »
Newberry County
1226 College Street
Newberry, SC 29108
(803) 321-2118
(803) 321-2119
Newberry County website »
Orangeburg County
Probate Court Office
190 Gibson Street
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 533-6284
Orangeburg County website »
Pickens County
222 McDaniel Avenue, B-16
Pickens, SC 29671
(864) 898-5903
(864) 898-5863
Pickens County website »
Richland County
1701 Main Street, Room 205
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 576-1950
(803) 576-1785
Richland County website »
Saluda County
100 East Church Street, Suite 4
Saluda, SC 29138
(864) 445-4500
(864) 445-9726
Saluda County website »
Spartanburg County
180 Magnolia Street 1st Floor, Suite 302
Spartanburg, SC 29306
(864) 596-2556
Spartanburg County website »
Sumter County
215 N. Harvin St
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 436-2166
(803) 436-2407
Sumter County website »
Union County
210 W. Main Street
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1625
(864) 427-1198
Union County website »
Williamsburg County
201 West Main Street
Kingstree, SC 29556
(843) 355-9321
Williamsburg County website »

What Do You Need to Perform a Wedding in South Carolina
Once you've determined what you need, simply log in to your account and order the materials from our online catalog. It's possible the probate judge will ask you to present proof of your ordination, and you don't want to be caught off-guard. Because ministers are sometimes required to register in the state of South Carolina, we advise ordering a Classic Wedding Kit and a Letter of Good Standing. Keep in mind that the couple may also want to see your credentials. Please try to place your order well in advance of the wedding to avoid complications.
How to Get a South Carolina Marriage License
Licenses are issued by the probate court offices, and will be picked up by the couple. As a minister, it's your responsibility to know how marriage licenses work in South Carolina and its individual counties. For example, if the couple plans to get a Charleston County marriage license, you should double-check if there are any rules specific to Charleston County.
In South Carolina, the license never expires, and there is a mandatory 1-day waiting period between the time it is picked up, and when the ceremony can be legally performed. Lastly, the signed marriage license must be returned to the issuing office within 30 days of the ceremony.
How to Perform a Wedding
Congratulations, you're ready to officiate the wedding! If you need any assistance in this important task, we encourage you to utilize the tools below. Together these exclusive resources include everything you'll need to craft the perfect wedding ceremony for any couple. Created with our ministers in mind, they offer tips and helpful information for all aspects of performing a ceremony. Fun fact: many ULC ministers have become professional officiants using these tools as a guide!
Finalizing the Marriage
After you perform the ceremony, you will sign the marriage license along with the couple. Your title is 'minister', the ceremony type is 'religious', and the denomination is 'non-denominational'. You will not be required to provide a license number, and witnesses are not required. You may also wish to give the couple a commemorative gift, like a marriage certificate to mark their special day. Don't forget that the signed license must be resubmitted to the marriage office before the deadline!
South Carolina Marriage Laws
Marriage laws in South Carolina are primarily directed by Chapter 1 of Title 20 of the state code. This section defines persons authorized to perform a marriage in the State of South Carolina, which includes ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church, among other individuals. We've reproduced the relevant portion below:
SECTION 20-1-20. Persons who may perform marriage ceremony.
Only ministers of the Gospel, Jewish rabbis, officers authorized to administer oaths in this State, and the chief or spiritual leader of a Native American Indian entity recognized by the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs pursuant to Section 1-31-40 are authorized to administer a marriage ceremony in this State.