How to Elope in South Carolina: Everything You Need to Know

From the moss-draped oaks of Charleston to the sunny shores of Hilton Head, South Carolina has a stunning blend of southern charm and natural beauty to offer making it the perfect place to elope. Whether you’re drawn to romantic waterfront vows, historic cobblestone streets, or the gorgeous views in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this state has a beautiful backdrop for every love story. The question is — how to elope in South Carolina?

The steps to make your marriage legal, whether an elopement, a micro wedding or a traditional wedding, can feel complicated and tedious. With some planning and a little bit of help, it can be done quickly and stress free! Here, we’ll review:

• How to obtain a marriage license 
• How many witnesses are required
• All inclusive South Carolina elopement packages
• Top booked venues in South Carolina on Simply Eloped
• Post elopement: getting a marriage certificate
• Post elopement: changing your last name 

How to Get your Marriage License 

Your marriage license is the most important part of your marriage process. This is because to get married in South Carolina, or really anywhere in the US, you need a marriage license. To obtain that, you can apply online. 

Each partner will need to include: 

• The email address of each party
• A valid photo ID
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Original birth certificate or a certified copy of the birth certificate
  • Valid S.C. identification card issued by the S.C. Highway Department
  • Current military identification card
  • A current passport
• A document showing your social security number
  • Social Security card
  • Tax Return showing your name and your Social Security number
  • W-2 or Tax Form showing your name and your Social Security number
• A signed sworn statement that the information included is correct and that you are legally entitled to marry under South Carolina state law

The marriage license application fee is $70.00, and there is a 24-hour waiting period between obtaining your marriage license and being able to hold your ceremony. Your license will take two business days to process and you will receive it via email. Your marriage license is valid for six months after you receive it, so your ceremony must take place within six months of receiving your marriage license.

Obtaining a Wedding Officiant and Witnesses

In South Carolina, Ordained Ministers, Jewish Rabbis, officers authorized to administer oaths, or a South Carolina notary can perform marriage ceremonies. Witnesses are not required to get married in South Carolina.

All Inclusive South Carolina Elopement Packages

Simply Eloped offers a number of customizable elopement packages for your South Carolina Elopement! Our Seed, Simply Photographed, Sprout, Bloom, and Oasis packages are available in South Carolina. This provides each couple the unique opportunity to build their perfect, customizable elopement package from top to bottom. Here are a few details on each package. To see more information on each of these South Carolina elopement packages, click here.

• Seed Package Details: Includes professional officiant, personalized ceremony, advice on obtaining your marriage license and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Simply Photographed Details: Covers one hour of professional photography and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Sprout Package Details: Offers a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Bloom Package Details: Includes a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Oasis Package Details: Covers professional officiant, two hours of photography, one hour of videography, hair and make up for one person, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere and dedicated Elopement Specialist.

Places to Elope in South Carolina

Curious about our favorite places to elope in South Carolina? Here are our top booked venues with all their details.

A Whitehouse Wedding

If you envision a classic southern elopement, A Whitehouse Wedding is the perfect venue for you. Imagine holding your ceremony tucked in between majestic old oak trees on the bank of a river. This venue is available year round, and it does require a permit, but Simply Eloped’s got you covered. This venue can accommodate slightly larger elopements, so you can celebrate with up to 28 guests (including the couple and vendors), and pets are welcome to join the party as long as they remain on a leash.

Chairs and decor are allowed, and the venue can provide 24 padded chairs, lanterns and candles that they can place down the aisle. This venue is wheelchair accessible and does allow for streaming so friends and family can tune in from afar, but service can be spotty. Alcohol is allowed at this venue. There is a small parking lot available on site.

Cypress Gardens

For a picturesque elopement tucked in nature in Charleston, Cypress Gardens, known for its tupelo and black Cypress trees, is the perfect spot for intimate vows. This venue is available on weekdays (Mondays-Thursdays), and can be booked up to a year in advance of your ceremony date. You can choose to hold your ceremony on the Front Lawn, at the Double Gazebo, Wedding Gazebo, Conference Cottage, Picnic Shelter, Heirloom Gardens, or at the Rowboats on the swamp. There is a permit required to book this venue, but Simply Eloped’s got you covered. This venue can accommodate up to 20 guests (including the couple and vendors), and pets are not allowed. 

This venue is wheelchair accessible—the best areas for accessibility are the Heirloom Gardens or the Front Lawn. The Gazebos are also accessible via paved trails. This venue does allow for streaming as well so friends and family can tune in from afar, however service can be spotty. Chairs and decor are allowed, and the venue can provide both, however candles and sparklers are not permitted. Alcohol is not permitted at this venue. There is parking available on site.

Washington Square

Washington Square Park is the perfect spot for an outdoor elopement in a historic setting, surrounded by giant oak trees. This venue is available year round, and it does require a permit that you and your partner will need to apply for yourselves. Make sure to book this venue at least 21 days in advance of your preferred ceremony date. 

This venue can accommodate up to 20 guests (including the couple and vendors), and pets are welcome to join the party as long as they remain on a leash. This venue is wheelchair accessible, and does allow for streaming, so friends and family can tune in from afar. Chairs, decor, and alcohol are not allowed as this is a public park. Street parking is available on site.

Get Your Marriage Certificate

After your ceremony, you are responsible for returning the signed copies of your marriage certificate labeled PROBATE JUDGE and PROBATE JUDGE/DHEC COPY to the Probate Court via mail or via the dropbox at the Probate Court Marriage License Division. 

To get a certified copy of your marriage certificate, you can order them online. Each copy costs $5.00. Orders are processed the next business day after your order, and will be mailed to you.

How to Change your Last Name in South Carolina

To apply for a legal name change in South Carolina, you can elect to change your name as part of your marriage license application. Once you receive a certified copy of your marriage certificate, you can use this as documentation for your legal name change.

Here are the steps you need to take to change your name:

1. You’ll want to head to the Social Security Administration’s website, and fill out the questionnaire. Once completed, the website will tell you whether you can make the request to change your name online, or if you need to go to a local office to make the request in person.
2. After you’ve changed your name with the Social Security Administration, you can head to the DMV to update your driver’s license. Don’t forget to bring your current license, your certified marriage certificate, and an Official US Court Name Change document in order to change your name on your driver’s license.
3. To update your name on your passport, head to the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website. 
   • If it’s been less than one year since your passport was issued and your name was legally changed, you will need to submit form DS-5504, your most recent US passport, An original or certified document showing you changed your name less than one year after your most recent passport was issued like your marriage certificate, and a passport photo by mail. The instructions for mailing these items is on form DS-5504.
   • If it’s been more than a year since your passport was issued or since you changed your name, you may be eligible to renew your passport by mail using Form DS-82 or apply in person using Form DS-11.
     • You can renew by mail if your most recent passport is submitted with your application, is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, was issued within the last 15 years, and was issued in your current name (or you can show the name change). If you meet all of these requirements, you can submit form DS-82, your most recent US passport, your original or certified name change document like your marriage certificate, one color passport photo, a fee (which will depend on your age) by mail to the address listed on form DS-82.
     • To apply in person, find a location near you on the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs that issues passports. You’ll need to bring form DS-11, evidence of US citizenship, your original or certified name change document like your marriage certificate, Valid ID and photocopy of that ID, one color passport photo, and a fee (which will depend on your age).

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ve done the tallest task of completing your legal name change apart from actually getting married. After your ceremony, you’ll then want to go through your accounts, credit cards, bank accounts, employers and insurance to make sure your name is up to date. It seems like a lot because it is! Take this process step by step, and it should all go smoothly. There’s also many businesses that help with the name changing process.Eloping is an exciting moment in you and your partner’s life! Though there’s a few steps to get you down the aisle, Simply Eloped is here to support you in the full process. To learn more about our packages and services, chat with one of our Personal Elopement Designers.

This article has been fact checked and reviewed for accuracy by a Simply Eloped Personal Elopement Specialist in January 2026.

Written by Hannah McSorley

Hannah McSorley is the Social Media Specialist at Simply Eloped, where she curates real love stories, breathtaking venues, and tips to inspire couples planning their big day. She loves how elopements make space for genuine connection and a celebration that truly feels like you.