Georgia Marriage Records

Individual counties maintained their records before the state standardized, statewide system for recording marriages in June 1952. Marriage trends in Georgia tend to mirror those in the United States. Recent data indicates that Georgia's marriage rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents is close to the national average of 6.1 per 1,000 people.

Georgia marriage records are the official documents that provide details about marriages that have taken place in the state. Marriage records in the state comprise marriage licenses and marriage certificates.

• Marriage License: A marriage license is a legal document that a couple applies for before the wedding ceremony. Marriage licenses permit couples to get married. Marriage licenses typically include the full names of the applicants, dates of birth, residency information, data, the names of the applicants' parents, issue and expiry date, and the date and county where the license was issued.
• Marriage Certificate: A marriage certificate is the official, certified document that proves a marriage actually took place. After the wedding ceremony, the officiant returns the marriage license to the county clerk's office, which is used to generate the marriage certificate. Marriage certificates serve as proof of the legal union and carry the official county seal. It also includes the names of the spouses, the date and location of marriage, the officiant's name and title, the certificate number, and the signature of the Probate Court Clerk.

Marriage certificates may also be authorized or informational copies. Authorized copies are legally valid for any official use and typically include the official seal and signature from the Probate Court or Georgia DPH. Informational copies, available to the public without restrictions, may not be used for legal purposes.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Georgia?

You may look up marriage records in Georgia through the following sources:

• The Georgia Department of Public Health's (DPH) Office of Vital Records maintains vital records of marriages from June 1952 to August 1996.
• Marriage records before June 1952 and after August 1996 are available at the county Probate Office.
• Marriage records older than 1919 can usually be found in the county archives.

You can order certified copies of marriage records through the DPH's Office of Vital Records by mail or in person by completing the Search of Marriage Requests form. Submit the completed form and relevant documentation to:

Marriage certificates are also accessible at the county clerk's office in the Probate Court where the marriage took place. To look up the marriage record, confirm the union took place before 1952 and after 1996. Visit the specific county website for instructions on submitting marriage certificate requests. Most counties provide specific downloadable forms on their website to request the record. You may also visit the courthouse to order the record in person.

All requests for marriage certificates must include

• Full names of the individuals as they appear on the marriage record
• Date of the marriage
• County where the marriage took place
• A copy of a government-issued photo ID
• The fees

Are Marriage Records Public in Georgia?

Yes. The Georgia Open Records Act establishes that government records are open to the public for inspection unless specifically exempted. Therefore, basic information on marriage records is generally available to anyone. Unlike some states where marriage records become public after a certain number of years, Georgia marriage records are considered public as soon as they are filed.

Nonetheless, certified copies of Georgia marriage records are typically available to the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal guardians, legal representatives, and persons with a court order.

How Much Do Georgia Marriage Records Cost?

Marriage certificates ordered through Georgia's DPH typically cost $10. Additional copies of the same record cost $5 at the time of request. However, the cost of marriage records varies per county. Generally, expect to pay between $15 to $20 when ordering the record from the county Probate Court. Some counties offer faster processing times for an additional fee. While the extra charge varies by county, you can typically pay around $10 to $15.

The Georgia DPH typically processes marriage record requests within 8-10 weeks for mail requests. Georgia DPH offers expedited services for marriage record requests, typically processed within 7 business days. Persons ordering the record in person can get the document the same day. Likewise, the processing times vary across counties and may take up to 30 days.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in Georgia?

In Georgia, marriage records are considered public records, accessible to anyone on request. Georgia does not offer confidential marriage licenses like some other states. However, the state does permit the possibility of sealing marriage records under certain circumstances, thus restricting public access.

In Georgia, marriage records may be sealed if a judge orders it to protect the privacy of high-profile individuals or if there are safety concerns, such as domestic violence or stalking. Marriage records may also be sealed if there is sensitive personal information that could harm one or both parties or fraudulent information affecting legal status.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of Georgia Marriage Records?

Verifying the authenticity of Georgia marriage records ensures that the document is valid and recognized for legal and official purposes. Generally, you may authenticate your marriage records for travel or immigration purposes, genealogy research, access insurance benefits, name change after marriage, or initiate divorce proceedings.

You may verify the authenticity of your marriage records from 1952 to the present by submitting a written request to the Georgia DPH. Generally, only eligible persons can request verification. You may also request verified copies of Georgia marriage records from the Probate Court. Typically, authenticated Georgia marriage records have an official seal and the signature of the Probate Court judge or clerk.

Can I Find Georgia Marriage Records Online for Free?

Accessing Georgia marriage records online for free is possible through several non-governmental sources, including:

• FamilySearch.org: The platform offers a wide collection of genealogical records, including Georgia marriage records. The website provides free access to indexes and digital images of marriages recorded across Georgia counties.
• Georgia Archives: The Georgia archives provide access to historical records, including marriage records. The collection includes scanned images of marriage records from various Georgia counties, primarily before 1900.
• Third-Party Websites: Third-party websites like PublicRecords.org offer access to public records, including Georgia marriage records. Third-party sites provide basic information on the marriage record and are a great resource for initial searches.

What Is Required to Get a Georgia Marriage License?

Couples planning on getting married in Georgia must meet the following requirements to obtain a marriage license:

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old.
• Applicants 17 years old may apply under certain conditions, including proof of legal emancipation and specialized premarital counseling.
• Both parties must be present at the county clerk's office.
• Have no living spouse from a previous marriage.
• Proof of termination of previous marriage
• Valid state-issued driver's license or State ID.
• The fees.

Marriage license fees vary by county. Expect to pay between $56 to $76 for the marriage license without premarital counseling and discounted to around $16 to $36 if the couple takes approved premarital counseling classes.

There is no waiting period for a Georgia marriage license. The couple may get married as soon as the license is issued. Similarly, there is no waiting period between when the license is issued and when the couple can get married. However, the state mandates couples to return the marriage license to the clerk of court office within 30 days of the marriage ceremony.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in Georgia?

Yes, you can amend marriage records in Georgia. Generally, only minor clerical mistakes, such as misspelled names, incorrect dates, and omissions, may be corrected on marriage licenses and certificates. However, the state requires proof that the information on the record is incorrect before it amends the error.

Amending Georgia Marriage License

If you discover an error on your marriage license before your ceremony, you may correct it through the county probate court that issued the license. Usually, most counties require you to file a petition that identifies the error and states the correct information. The petition must be signed under oath to verify that the correction request is accurate. Counties charge a fee for processing an amendment.

Amending Georgia Marriage Certificate

You can have your marriage certificate amended if you discover minor errors, such as typographical mistakes in one of the names, an incorrect date, or information omitted from the certificate. Material errors, such as wrong birth date or parent information, may also be corrected. However, they typically require additional evidence and, in most cases, a court order.

Marriage certificates may be corrected at the Probate Court where the marriage certificate was issued. Typically, you must submit a petition for correction identifying the error on the certificate and specifying the correct information. Provide supporting documents such as birth certificates or a government-issued ID. Some counties may provide amendment forms for you to fill out.

Counties charge a fee for processing the amendment petition. The amount varies by county. Expect to pay up to $88 to effect a change to your marriage license. After the amendment, you may request a new certified copy of the corrected marriage certificate for around $10.