In South Carolina, you generally must be 18 to marry without parental consent, and 16 or 17 -year-olds can marry with parental consent. Anyone under 16 cannot legally marry in the state.

Age rules

  • 18 or older: Can marry on your own.
  • 16 or 17: Can marry with a parent’s permission.
  • Under 16: Cannot legally marry.

What this means

The basic rule is simple: 18 is the standard age, but South Carolina allows a limited exception for 16- and 17-year-olds with consent.

Legal note

Marriage rules can also involve license requirements and consent paperwork, so the age rule is only one part of the process.