Category: marriage

After the Marriage Ceremony

Completed Marriage License

So, you received your marriage license, either in the mail or in person, your wedding ceremony is over if you had one, and you and your officiant have signed your marriage license. What happens next?

completed south carolina marriage license
Completed South Carolina Marriage License

South Carolina is different from every other state in the US in how they conduct the marriage license and marriage certificate process. In every other state, the marriage license is signed by the officiant, and then returned to the court. The court records and files the marriage license and then issues a certificate of marriage to the couple, which is a separate  document from the marriage license. It does not work that way in South Carolina, where your marriage license becomes your Certificate of Marriage once it is signed by the couple and the officiant. There are 3 copies of the license, all of which the couple signs, and then one of them (the Bride/Groom/Spouse copy) becomes your Original Certificate of Marriage, which is yours to keep and take with you (your officiant should have already given it to you). It already has the court seal imprinted on it, the judges signature, and the officiants signature and information.

You will not receive anything else from the probate court where you obtained your marriage license.

Your marriage officiant is responsible for returning the other two completed copies to the probate court, not the couple (See SC Code of Laws Section 20-1-330). He or she has 15 days to do so, but in my case I send them in immediately, usually within 1 day.

If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate (like the one pictured above) for whatever reason, you can get one from the court that issued the license for a small fee.

Here are some links to the various courts to download the form you need to fill out to get a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

Richland County SC

Lexington County SC

Greenville County SC

Charleston County SC

Sumter County SC

 

What to do before you agree to participate in a wedding

So, you have been asked to be in a wedding?

Being asked to participate in a friends or relatives wedding can be a great honor. It can be fun. But it can also be very expensive. Here are some questions to ask BEFORE you agree to participate…

  • Do not say yes about the tux or dress until you talk costs
  • Do NOT go into debt
  • If the costs are getting out of hand, SPEAK UP!
  • Don’t agree to be in the wedding if it will be too much for you. Remember, it is also an honor to just be a guest.

The Washington Post has a recent article on this very subject. Go here to check it out.

Changing Your Name in SC After Getting Married

Steps to Change Your Name in SC After Marriage

Many people ask me about how to go about changing their name after they are married. Important: When you get married in South Carolina your name is not automatically changed to that of the person you married. To change your name is actually a simple process in theory, but can seem complicated if one is unprepared.

To change your name after getting married, you need to;

Step 1. Change the name on your Social Security number.

After your marriage ceremony you will receive an original of your license that is in fact your new Certificate of Marriage. If you wish to change your name to that of your new spouse or partner, the first step is to change your name with the Social Security administration.

social security name change

You can apply for a name change at the SS office in person or via mail.

To call SS for information, or to make an appointment, this is the number;

866-964-7594

For more information on a SS name change go here.

Note: I strongly suggest you do not mail in your original certificate of marriage if applying by mail for a new SS card. Get a certified copy from the court where you obtained your marriage license. It usually cost between $5.00 to $10.00 depending on the court.

Here are some links to the various courts to download the form you need to fill out to get a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

Richland County SC

Lexington County SC

Charleston County SC

2. Change the name on your government ID (s);

In SC you must wait at least 48 hours after visiting the SS office before going to the DMV to get your license or ID card with your new name. The waiting time is due to the fact that the SS administration needs to update their computer database. (If you made the change via mail and received a new SS card there is no waiting period required).

Afterwards changing your name with SS and waiting 48 hours (wait until you get your new card if you applied by mail) you can then apply at the DMV. Bring your original marriage certificate or a certified copy with you. For more information visit the SCDMV site here.

Step 3. You can then change your name on other accounts;

Once you have your new ID, you can change your name on your credit cards, bank accounts, voter registration, etc. .

What is a Certified Copy of a Marriage License

What is a certified copy of your marriage license and do you need one?

certified copy of your marriage license

A certified copy of your marriage license is a copy of the Court’s license on record. It may be necessary to show a certified copy to the appropriate entities for a legal name change, for other legitimate purposes, or for genealogical research. A certified copy does not expire. Certified copies of your marriage license cannot be obtained until your license has been filed and accepted by the County Probate Court where you obtained your license. If you would like to request a certified copy of your marriage license from the County Probate Court, you have to complete a form and pay a fee, usually $5.

In South Carolina, when you get married you are given 3 originals of your marriage license. All have the court seal imprinted on them so they are originals. You are given one copy to keep and this original is usually sufficient for all your needs. However, if you have to send your marriage license off somewhere out of your possession, you should get a certified copy. You do not want your original to get lost.

You will usually need to wait one to two weeks to get a certified copy after your wedding, but it might take longer. Your wedding officiant has 15 days to send the other two completed copies of your marriage license back to the court for filing. It then takes the court a few days to actually file the license.

Remember, you are not married until you exchange vows (oaths) and the marriage licensed is signed by all parties and returned to the court.

Here are some links to the various courts to download the form you need to fill out to get a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

Richland County SC

Lexington County SC

Simple and Inexpensive Honeymoons

If you’re looking for some affordable honeymoon trips to begin your marriage on the right financial foot, check out the amazing destinations below. Each is romantic in its own way and, best of all, you can enjoy most of them while spending only half as much as the average American newlyweds, depending on where you live and how far you have to travel.

Here are some tips from the Simple Dollar to help you get started with planning your honeymoon from a financial perspective:

Set a budget: This is the most important step when planning your honeymoon. It’s amazing to dream about an amazing Mediterranean cruise through Italy and Greece, but if you want to keep your spending under $2,500, that type of honeymoon would definitely break your budget.

Itemize your budget: A budget shouldn’t just be a number. You should really sit down and itemize it. For example, calculate how much you want to spend on flights, the hotel, food, activities and excursions, and even souvenirs. All of this will give you a clearer idea of what kind of destination you can afford.

Even better, choose a place that is all-inclusive. That’s what I did for my honeymoon: Since I write about budgeting for a living, I didn’t want to be stressed with small purchasing decisions — like if I wanted an extra glass of wine at dinner. (Spoiler alert: I always got the extra glass!)

Go non-traditional: It sounds great to lay on a Caribbean beach with a little umbrella drink in your hand, but there are many places to see right here in the U.S. that might offer more adventure, culture, or sightseeing that’s off the beaten path. You can go hiking, camping, see the national parks, or couch-surf your way across the country. I know that doesn’t sound romantic — but for the right couple, it would be downright memorable and fun. This is your time as a newly married couple, and no one else’s — so don’t be afraid to spend it the way you want to.

It’s for relaxing: One thing to remember about honeymoons is that they are for relaxing! I find that many people try to cram as much as possible into their honeymoons, setting up tours and wine tastings and excursions all day long. This type of trip is absolutely awesome when you’re a couple or a family and you want to see the world — but trust me, after months of planning a wedding, it really is best to relax. Find a place where you and your new spouse can sleep in without feeling guilty that you’re missing out. You can always go on another vacation in the future, so use this one as a chance to enjoy the quiet after the wedding.

Read along further in the article and you will find that the number one destination they recommend is Charleston, SC! More on Charleston as a honeymoon destination in a later article. If you need a wedding officiant, we are happy to meet you in Charleston and perform the ceremony as well!

Simple Marriage Ceremonies

Wedding Officiant

Weddings have been around since the dawn of man, be it a lavish and grand celebration where the bride and groom go all out to make their marriage ceremony a very big on or a simple solemn occasion that celebrates the unity of a man and woman in the eyes of God and the law. In the past religion plays a big role in marriages, the religion of the bride and the groom dictate the ceremony of their marriage but in spite of religion the true meaning in marriage is in the unity of man and woman.. Throughout the years weddings have evolved from it humble beginning in the days of old.

Today getting married is a big deal in the eyes of the law. Getting married accompanies legalities and responsibilities in the eyes of the law. Marrying the love of your life is a once in a lifetime event and you should make it as memorable as possible. But what about those of us who do not have the funds necessary to hold such an event? The answer can be found the moment you call us.

The site tells the public that for a certain fee that can be availed by most of us in the middle class of the society one can get married to the person they love. In South Carolina, weddings officiated by a notary have been legalized. This means that you don’t need to pay so much money to get married. Whether you want to do your own vows or you want to follow the general format your marriage is now at hand. You can keep your marriage subtle and solemn and can be conducted between only the notary, your future spouse and a few witnesses but you always have the option to invite more people because getting married is something to share with your close relatives and friends.The site not only offers you a way to get married, there are also other services you can avail at your request and at a certain price but that is for you and your betrothed to decide amongst yourselves.

From the grandest of marriages to the simplest ones, the celebration is just an added plus. The important thing is that legality of your marriage to your loved one. Festivities aside, it is the promise of eternal love and the acknowledgement of your marriage by the law and the Church that is important.

Legal Issues When Getting Married

Legal Issues When Getting Married

There are many legal issues that have to be agreed and decided upon when a couple gets married. For instance, will the bride take the grooms name or not? Is there a prenuptial agreement? Insurance where beneficiaries need to be changed? If currently in, or enlisting into the military, what about claiming dependent status?

Below is a video about one couples experience from getting married while in the Air Force.