Marriage records in Sumter County, South Carolina, are available through several channels. SumterCourt.us can help you find public information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, you can contact the Sumter County Probate Court, which issues marriage licenses and maintains the corresponding records in accordance with South Carolina law. Records are also available through the State Vital Records Office, either in person at the office or by mail.
Sumter Marriage Records Search
In Sumter County, marriage records are maintained by the Sumter County Probate Court. According to South Carolina law, the probate judge issues marriage licenses and registers returned marriage certificates. The collection of records includes:
- Issued marriage licenses
- Registered marriage certificates, returned after the ceremony
- Historical marriage records, although it should be noted that a significant portion of the county's early documents were lost in the 1801 fire
For older records, you can also contact the South Carolina State Archives. Copies of marriage certificates from July 1950 onwards are kept at the South Carolina Department of Health's Vital Records Office (SC DHEC/DPH Vital Records).
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Sumter
The fees depend on where you order the copy—at the county or state level. Below are the estimated fees according to the current rates.
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy (via SC DPH Vital Records) | $12.00 | SC DPH fee schedule |
| Additional copy (in one order, SC DPH) | $3.00 | SC DPH fee schedule |
| Certified copy (via County Probate Court) | Check with the office | Sumter County Probate Court |
| Search fee (SC DPH) | Included in the cost of the first copy | SC DPH fee schedule |
The state accepts payment by money order or checks payable to SC DHEC. Processing times for mail requests through the State Vital Records Office usually take several weeks—current information on average processing times can be checked on the DPH website. If you need a copy urgently, contact the County Probate Court directly—a personal visit often speeds up the process.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Sumter
There are several ways to order a marriage certificate.
Online
The South Carolina State Vital Records Office offers ordering through the SC VRSIIS system. Go to the Vital Records page of the State Department of Health to access the online portal. Records from July 1950 onwards are available through this system.
In Person
Visit the Sumter County Probate Court at:
Bring a valid photo ID. An appointment is usually not required, but it's better to call ahead at 803-436-2572 to confirm the availability of the record you need.
By Mail
To order through the State Vital Records Office, send a request to:
Include in the envelope:
- A completed application for a marriage certificate copy (the form can be downloaded from the SC DPH Vital Records website)
- A money order or check for the appropriate amount payable to SC DHEC
- A copy of your photo ID
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
In the application, provide the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of marriage, and the county where the license was issued. The more accurate the information, the faster your request will be processed.
If you specifically need the marriage license (and not the state-issued certificate), contact the Sumter County Probate Court directly—the state office only keeps copies of certificates, while the original licenses remain at the county level.