Probate Court

NOTICES

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JUDGE WOODRUFF HOLDS MONTHLY INFORMATION SESSIONS ABOUT THE PREPARATION OF ESTATE INVENTORIES.  NO APPT IS NEEDED.  THE MEETINGS WILL BE HELD IN COURTROOM 1 OF THE YORK COUNTY HISTORICAL COURTHOUSE, 2 S. CONGRESS ST, YORK, EVERY THIRD WEDNESDAY.  IF YOU'RE A PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE CURRENTLY ADMINISTERING AN ESTATE OR JUST INTERESTED IN THE PROCESS, YOU MAY FIND THE SESSIONS HELPFUL.

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In order to maintain a healthy and safe environment for the public and Probate Court staff and due to the extremely high volume of filings, all estate and guardianship/conservatorship administrations, applications for marriage licenses, and title examinations/genealogical research, require an appointment (please call 803-684-8513 or email [email protected]). Documents may also be dropped off and picked up in the Courthouse lobby. Certified copies of marriage licenses may be requested by mail by sending $5 per requested copy and a self-addressed stamped envelope or online at www.southcarolinaprobate.net/search.

Involuntary commitment proceedings must be initiated through Catawba Mental Health Center (803-327-2012), Keystone Substance Abuse Center (803-324-1800), Catawba Family Center (for minors - 803-329-3177) or the after-hours through the Mobile Crisis line (833-364-2274).

Estate files from 1977 through current are accessible on public computers placed in the Register of Deeds office in the Government Center and the Clerk of Court’s Civil Division in the Historic Courthouse; estate case files prior to 1977 are on microfilm in the Historic Courthouse. Marriage licenses from 1911 through current are also available on the public computers. 

Court personnel
York County Historic Courthouse

Location

The Probate Court is located in the York County Courthouse. The Courthouse is in the southwest quadrant of the intersection of Liberty and Congress Streets in downtown York. There is a single entrance on the south side of the building, directly from the parking lot between the Courthouse at 2 S. Congress Street and the Government Center at 6 S. Congress Street, and there is handicapped parking at the entrance. Parking is also available on Congress Street and Liberty Street.


 
For general questions or to make an appointment, please call 803-684-8513 or email the Probate Court Office.


Jurisdiction & Responsibilities

The court handles various matters including the administration of decedents' estates, the issuance of marriage licenses, the appointment of guardians and conservators, and involuntary commitments. It is headed by an elected probate judge who serves a four-year term.

  1. Marriage Licenses
  2. Estates
  3. Guardianships & Conservatorships, Settlement Approval, Trusts
  4. Involuntary Commitments
Application for marriage licenses may be made between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments are required.  The license may be used only for ceremonies performed in South Carolina and the fee is $50, payable by cash, check or money order.

If a couple has completed a qualifying premarital preparation course prior to applying for the license and presents a certificate of completion at the time of application, they may be eligible to receive a $50 non-refundable state income tax credit pursuant to SC. Code 20-1-230.

Certification of Completion of Premarital Preparation Course