South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 1 - Marriage
Section 20-1-15. Prohibition of same sex marriage.

A marriage between persons of the same sex is void ab initio and against the public policy of this State.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 327, Section 1, eff May 20, 1996.
Validity
For validity of this section, see Obergefell v. Hodges, 135 S.Ct. 2584 (U.S. 2015); Condon v. Haley, 21 F.Supp.3d 572 (D. S.C. 2014); Bradacs v. Haley, 58 F.Supp.3d 514 (D. S.C. 2014); Swicegood v. Thompson, 865 S.E.2d 775 (S.C. 2021).

Structure South Carolina Code of Laws

South Carolina Code of Laws

Title 20 - Domestic Relations

Chapter 1 - Marriage

Section 20-1-10. Persons who may contract matrimony.

Section 20-1-15. Prohibition of same sex marriage.

Section 20-1-20. Persons who may perform marriage ceremony.

Section 20-1-30. Cohabitation prior to emancipation as marriage.

Section 20-1-40. Cohabitation prior to emancipation as marriage; children.

Section 20-1-50. Legitimacy of children of marriages contracted after absence of previous spouse.

Section 20-1-60. Marriage of parents legitimates illegitimate children.

Section 20-1-70. Name of children legitimized after marriage of parents.

Section 20-1-80. Bigamous marriage shall be void; exceptions.

Section 20-1-90. Legitimacy of children when either party to bigamous marriage marries in good faith.

Section 20-1-100. Minimum age for valid marriage.

Section 20-1-210. License required for marriage.

Section 20-1-220. Written application required twenty-four hours prior to issuance of license.

Section 20-1-230. Issuance of license; premarital preparation course.

Section 20-1-240. Information to be provided to applicants for marriage licenses.

Section 20-1-250. Applicants under age of consent; consent of relative or guardian.

Section 20-1-260. Proof of age required of minor applicant.

Section 20-1-270. Proof of age required of applicant over age eighteen and under age twenty-five.

Section 20-1-280. Penalty for furnishing false affidavit.

Section 20-1-290. Wilful failure of license-issuing officer to comply with Sections 20-1-250, 20-1-260 and 20-1-270 as cause for removal.

Section 20-1-300. Repealed.

Section 20-1-310. Form of license and certificate.

Section 20-1-320. Division of vital statistics shall distribute license forms.

Section 20-1-330. Issue of licenses in triplicate; disposition.

Section 20-1-340. Record of license and certificate kept by probate judge or clerk of court.

Section 20-1-350. Filing of license and certificate and issuance of certified copies by Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Section 20-1-360. Effect of article on marriage without license.

Section 20-1-370. Disposition of license fee.

Section 20-1-375. Marriage license fee.

Section 20-1-380. Disposition of fines.

Section 20-1-510. Jurisdiction to determine validity of marriage.

Section 20-1-520. Affirmation of marriage if validity has been denied or doubted.

Section 20-1-530. Declaration of invalidity.

Section 20-1-540. Adjudication of presumed death.

Section 20-1-550. Service on defendant in action to annul marriage.

Section 20-1-560. Service on persons in military or naval services overseas in action to annul marriage.

Section 20-1-570. Establishment of official record of marriages.

Section 20-1-580. Effect of establishment of official record of marriage and record.

Section 20-1-700. Short title.

Section 20-1-710. Legislative purpose.

Section 20-1-720. Publication and distribution of "South Carolina Family Respect" pamphlet.