Look Up Free Greenville County Marriage Records on Anyone

Free Greenville County Marriage Record Search
Access anyone's marital information in Greenville County, South Carolina, free of charge.

Review free Greenville County marriage records regarding any wedding held locally.

Any interested person can conveniently uncover desired information using resources available to them for free and from official sources.

According to the South Carolina Public Records Law, marriage records must always be readily accessible to anyone. Being able to check if someone is married or not is relevant for various scenarios.

This article introduces the resources available to concerned citizens to research and uncover information about anybody’s marital status in Greenville County, South Carolina; it will also explain how to obtain historical records and apply for a marriage license.

How To Track Down Free Greenville County Marriage Records

For anyone interested in finding information about marriage licenses in Greenville County, the first place to look is the Probate Court.1 Records can be conveniently searched with the help of the Probate Court’s Marriage License Search system, which is a free tool anyone can utilize.2

The Marriage License Search system is quite uncomplicated and allows users to run searches by name (full or partial name). It also allows them to narrow their search by year when the date of the nuptials in question is known, but adding that information isn’t necessary or mandatory.

A screenshot of the marriage license search of Greenville County showing the fields provided for name and license year and the fees applicable.
Source: Greenville County Probate Court2

The search results will show both the husband’s and the wife’s full name, the date they married and the document number. This information is valuable in instances where contacting the Probate Court for support becomes needed.

If the results of the search lack a date, it’s because a license was issued for that couple but never utilized (or properly recorded). The results will omit couples who opt out of the search, as privacy protection is an option given by the state to all of its citizens.3

The Marriage License Search tool also allows people to request a certified copy of the record they’re interested in. Users can do so by clicking on the button to the right of the couple’s names. The copies requested using this tool are sent by mail to the address provided while placing the order.

A screenshot of search results of a marriage license from the probate court of Greenville, listing the license number, names of both parties, date of marriage, and buttons to opt out and request a copy.
Source: Greenville County Probate Court3

Certified copies of marriage licenses dated between 1911 and 1970 cost $5.50, while copies of records from 1971 to the present day cost $5.25.

Citizens running Greenville County marital records searches who don’t feel comfortable making a request online or feel they need more information can also contact the Probate Court directly using the following information:

Greenville County Probate Court
301 University Ridge – Suites N-T100 and N-T200
Greenville, SC 29601

Phone: 864.467.7184
Email: [email protected]

How To Search Historical or Archived Marriage Records in Greenville County South Carolina

The Marriage License Search system provided by the Greenville County Probate Court shows information about nuptials that happened a long time ago and not only recent events.2 If someone is looking for marriages that happened starting in 1911, making an inquiry into this system is worth the shot.

Another way to search, which involves a useful resource, is working with the County of Greenville Historical Records.4 They have many different collections and indexes that show detailed information about all sorts of events in Greenville County that date back as far as the early 1700s – including historical marriage records.

A screenshot of the list of indexes from the historical records displaying the name, size, and date of the last update of records.
Source: Greenville County Historical Records4

This tool is the result of a partnership between the local government and the Greenville County Library System. Users who are on the journey of searching for Greenville County marital records can search the Historical Records website for information or contact them to work with a library staff member who can assist them in navigating all the tools available.

Interested citizens can make an online record request or work with the Greenville County Library System in person.5 They have many different locations and can be can be contacted using the details below:

Greenville County Library System
Phone: 864.527.9258
Text messages: 864.510.0944
Email: [email protected]

How To Locate South Carolina Marriage Records Outside of Greenville County

When searching for Greenville County marital records doesn’t lead to the desired results, there are other avenues searchers can pursue. One of those is the South Carolina Vital Records Office, which provides concerned citizens with marriage certificates for weddings that happened throughout the state between 1950 and 2022.6

Certified copies aren’t available to all people. Only people named on the certificate (the bride or groom), their children, or a present or former spouse can request a marriage record. Requests can be made in person, by phone, by mail, and online.

Those who are entitled to it have to fill out a Vital Records Marriage/Divorce Application before placing a request.7 With a completed application, individuals can make their requests in person or by mail. Orders by mail require that the searcher sends in a package including the application, a money order with the payment, and a self-addressed envelope.

Regardless of deciding to come in person or mailing out a request, this is the address people should use:

South Carolina Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: 803.898.3630

The prices of the copies may vary, and it’s important to consider what’s convenient for the individual placing the request. Those are the prices for marriage certificates ordered with the Vital Records Office:

  • $12 for a copy, using standard search
  • $17 for a copy, using expedited search
  • $3 for each extra copy requested simultaneously

It’s also possible to make orders by phone or online with the help of VitalChek. Using this third-party vendor may lead to extra charges on top of the ones mentioned before.

Another thing that is important for searchers to consider is that the local counties likely have options to help people obtain records of events that happened at their location. Just like it’s possible to conveniently run a marriage records search and obtain a copy of the records with the Probate Court, interested citizens can contact the county where they believe the marriage they want to know more about happened and try to work with them.8

How To Get a Greenville County Marriage License

Couples looking to apply for a marriage license in Greenville County must work with the Probate Court.9

The Greenville County Probate Court accepts applications in person (it requires an appointment) or online.1 When applying online, the couple can request to pick up the license in person or by mail, as well.

Licenses issued in Greenville County can be used anywhere in South Carolina, but the couple must wait 24 hours before getting married. Not following the rules around marriages in South Carolina is a misdemeanor.

All applicants must be at least 18 years old to get married. If they’re younger but at least 16 years old, they can contact the Probate Court and work with them on obtaining special authorization. After the marriage is officiated, the couple has 15 days to ring the license back to the court for recording.

To apply online, individuals must work with the Probate Court platform to input all the couple’s information, make a payment, and choose a form for the license to be delivered. To apply in person, individuals must first call and schedule an appointment.

Screenshot of a section of the marriage license application worksheet from Greenville county displaying a short note on top and fields provided for the wedding date and personal information of both applicants such as type, sex, last name on birth certificate, ID type, SSN or alien registration number, and names.
Source: Greenville County Probate Court10

The pricing for marriage licenses may vary, depending on where the couple lives. Marriage licenses for individuals who are residents of Greenville County cost $45.

For South Carolina residents of other counties (outside of Greenville), the cost is $75. For out-of-state residents, marriage licenses cost $95.

This is the Greenville County Probate Court contact information:

Greenville County Probate Court
Marriage License Department
301 University Ridge – Suites N-T100
Greenville, SC 29601

Phone: 864.467.7571 or 864.467.7468
Email: [email protected]

There’s value in being able to access public records and uncover information about people in the community. Being allowed to retrieve facts and records allows individuals to be informed and aware and, consequently, better able to make decisions about how they want to connect with those around them.

Citizens can perform a Greenville County marriage records search to reveal relevant information, and they should feel welcome to utilize all the tools available to them, as presented in this article.


References

1Greenville County Probate Court. (n.d.). Probate Court – Mission Statement. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from <https://www.greenvillecounty.org/Probate/Default.aspx>

2Greenville County Probate Court. (n.d.). Probate Court – Marriage License Search. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from <https://www.greenvillecounty.org/apps/MLSearch/default.aspx>

3Greenville County Probate Court. (n.d.). Probate Court – Marriage License Search Results. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from <https://www.greenvillecounty.org/apps/MLSearch/SearchResults.aspx>

4Greenville County Historical Records. (n.d.). Historical Records – Search. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from <https://www.greenvillecounty.org/apps/Historical_Records_Search/Default.aspx>

5Greenville County Library System. (n.d.). Record Request. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from <https://www.greenvillelibrary.org/record-request>

6South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. (n.d.). Marriage Certificates. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from <https://scdhec.gov/vital-records/marriage-certificates>

7South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. (2023, September). Vital Records Marriage/Divorce Application. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from <https://scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/Library/D-0639.pdf>

8South Carolina Judicial Branch. (n.d.). Probate Court. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from <https://www.sccourts.org/probatecourt/>

9Greenville County Probate Court. (n.d.). Probate Court – Marriage License. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from <https://www.greenvillecounty.org/probate/marriagelicense.aspx>

10Greenville County Probate Court. (n.d.). Marriage License Worksheet. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from <https://www.greenvillecounty.org/apps/marriagelicenseform/Default.aspx>