You must get a permit to be married on the beach from the Town of Hilton Head Island. You can go to their website, www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov, to check their requirements.

You will also need a marriage license. Both applicants must apply in person at the Probate Court office at the county courthouse. The Beaufort County Courthouse is located at the Government Center at 102 Ribaut Road on the corner of Ribaut Road and US Hwy. 21. The office hours are 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday. The telephone number is 843-528-7440. Marriage licenses can also be obtained on Hilton Head Island at the Satellite County Offices located at 539 William Hilton Parkway (US Hwy. 278 Bus.) across from the First Presbyterian Church. The judge is available only on Wednesday and Fridays from 9am-2:30pm by appointment only. An appointment must be made in advance by calling 470-5319 or locally 341-8413. To hear a recording of this information, call 470-5322.

A marriage license does not have an expiration date, but it is preferred that you use it within three months. It may be used state wide, i.e. a license purchased in one county may be used in any other county in South Carolina.

Valid identification is required. The clerk will ask for your social security number and another piece of identification showing your picture, such as a driver’s license, passport, military ID, military dependents’ ID or state ID.

The minimum age for applicants is 18 without parental consent and 16 with parental consent. A CERTIFIED copy of the BIRTH CERTIFICATE issued by a state or other appropriate agency is required for proof of age for applicants under the age of 18. The court will retain all certified copies permanently if either party is under 18 years of age. Applicants over 18 may furnish other forms of documentary evidence such as passport, driver’s license, military ID or state ID. All applicants are required to furnish proof of Social Security Number, if any.

The cost of the license is: $50.00 if either applicant is a resident of Beaufort County. $75.00 if neither applicant resides in Beaufort County, but at least one resides in the state of South Carolina. $95.00 if both applicants reside outside of South Carolina.

All fees must be paid in cash in the exact amount

A blood test is not required. However, there is a 24 hour waiting period. The Probate Judge enforces this state requirement by holding the license until 24 hours following the application.

The marriage ceremony may be performed by a minister or Notary Public. South Carolina does not have Justices of the Peace. The person performing the ceremony returns one of the certificate portions of the license package to the Office of the Probate Judge that issued the license for the recording in official records.
For assistance with the details of your wedding you can contact one of the many Wedding Coordinators in our Business Directory.