Marriage records in Berkeley County, South Carolina, are available through several channels. BerkeleyCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also request records directly from the Berkeley County Probate Court, which issues marriage licenses locally, or through the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DHEC) Vital Records office, which maintains statewide marriage records. Requests can be made online, in person, or by mail.
Berkeley County Marriage Records Search
In South Carolina, marriage licenses are issued at the county level by the Probate Court. The Berkeley County Probate Court is the local authority responsible for issuing marriage licenses and maintaining the county's marriage license records. The office keeps records of all marriage licenses issued in Berkeley County, including the application, the license itself, and the returned certificate after the ceremony is performed.
For statewide records, DHEC Vital Records holds marriage certificates for marriages that occurred in South Carolina from July 1950 to the present. Older or historical marriage records may be available through the SC Department of Archives and History, which indexes historical documents useful for genealogy research.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Berkeley County
Certified copies of marriage records can be obtained from either the Berkeley County Probate Court (for the marriage license) or from DHEC Vital Records (for the marriage certificate on file at the state level). Fees differ depending on which office you use.
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage license (issued by Probate Court) | $75.00 | Berkeley County Probate Court |
| Certified copy of marriage certificate (DHEC) | $12.00 | SC DHEC Vital Records |
| Each additional copy (same order, DHEC) | $3.00 | SC DHEC Vital Records |
| Online order processing fee (DHEC via VitalChek) | Additional service fee applies | SC DHEC / VitalChek |
DHEC mail requests typically take 4–6 weeks for processing. Expedited service through the online vendor may reduce turnaround time but includes an additional fee. The Probate Court can often provide copies of locally held marriage license records at the time of a walk-in visit, though you should call ahead to confirm availability.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Berkeley County
There are three main ways to obtain a marriage record from Berkeley County or the state of South Carolina:
Online
Certified copies of marriage certificates recorded at the state level can be ordered online through the DHEC Vital Records portal, which uses VitalChek as its authorized online vendor. You will need:
- Full names of both spouses
- Date of the marriage
- County where the marriage took place
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Credit or debit card for payment
In Person
Visit the Berkeley County Probate Court to request a copy of a marriage license issued in the county. Walk-ins are accepted during regular business hours.
Bring a valid photo ID. Payment methods accepted may vary — call (843) 719-4546 before your visit to confirm.
For state-level certified marriage certificates, you can also visit a DHEC Vital Records office in person.
By Mail
To request a certified marriage certificate by mail from DHEC Vital Records, send the following to:
- A completed application form (available on the DHEC website)
- A copy of your valid government-issued photo ID
- A check or money order for $12.00 payable to SC DHEC
- A self-addressed stamped envelope (recommended)
Allow 4–6 weeks for processing by mail. South Carolina's public records laws under Title 30 govern access to government records, though vital records like marriage certificates have specific eligibility requirements set by DHEC. Generally, the applicant must be a person named on the record, an immediate family member, or a legal representative to receive a certified copy from the state.
For genealogical research involving older Berkeley County marriage records, the SC Archives online research tools may help locate indexed historical records. The South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index can also be searched for court-related records, though it primarily covers case filings rather than vital records.