Marriage records in Pickens County, South Carolina, are available through several channels. PickensCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, official documents are kept by the Pickens County Probate Court office, which is where you should go for certified copies. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through South Carolina's online services.
Pickens Marriage Records Search
In South Carolina, marriage licenses are issued and registered by the Probate Court of the respective county. In Pickens County, this function is performed by the Pickens County Probate Court. The office keeps records of issued marriage licenses, returned signed marriage certificates, as well as historical records dating back decades. If the marriage took place in this county, the original document is stored here.
In addition to the local court, copies of marriage records after 1950 are maintained by the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SC DHEC / DPH), Vital Records division. This means that you can also request a certified copy at the state level.
Pickens County Probate Court
To search for county court records, you can also use the South Carolina Judicial Department public index, although marriage licenses are usually not displayed in this system — it is focused on civil and criminal cases.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Pickens
Fees for marriage records are established in accordance with South Carolina state law and the internal policy of the Probate Court. Below is an approximate fee schedule:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $5.00 |
| Additional copy (in the same request) | $5.00 |
| Record search fee — through SC DHEC Vital Records | $12.00 |
| Expedited processing through VitalChek (online) | Additional service and delivery fee |
Note: Fees at the county and state levels differ. If you order a copy directly from the Pickens County Probate Court, the cost is usually $5 per copy. A request through SC DHEC Vital Records is more expensive because it includes a search fee. It's best to confirm the exact amount by calling the office before your visit.
Processing time depends on the submission method: in person — usually on the day of the request; by mail — 4 to 6 weeks through the state office.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Pickens
There are several ways to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate.
In Person
The fastest option is to visit the office in the Pickens County Courthouse building at 214 E Main Street, Pickens, SC 29671. For marriage records, contact the Probate Court (not the Clerk of Court — the latter handles other categories of documents). Bring with you:
- A valid photo ID
- The names of both spouses and the approximate date of marriage
- Payment in cash, check, or money order (confirm acceptable forms of payment in advance)
Online
To order a certified copy online, use the VitalChek service — the official partner of the SC Department of Public Health. Go to the VitalChek website (vitalchek.com), select South Carolina and the document type "Marriage Record." The service charges an additional processing and delivery fee, but it operates 24/7.
By Mail
A mail request can be sent to SC DHEC Vital Records or directly to the Pickens County Probate Court. For a state-level request, send:
- A completed application for the record (the form can be downloaded from the SC DPH website)
- A copy of the applicant's ID
- A money order or check for the appropriate amount
- A self-addressed stamped envelope (optional, for faster return)
Mailing address for state-level requests:
If you are sending a request directly to the Probate Court, use the court's address listed above. Include in the letter the full names of the spouses, the date of marriage, and the purpose of the request.
Marriage records in South Carolina are public documents. However, a certified copy with a court seal is usually available only to one of the parties to the marriage, their adult children, a legal representative, or a person with written permission. For genealogical research or confirmation of marriage, an uncertified copy is often sufficient.
Additional information about county services and department contact details can be found on the official Pickens County website. For a quick search of public marriage record data, visit PickensCourt.us.