Find Baker County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Baker County are issued at the Probate Court in Newton, the county seat. Both people who want to marry must appear at the courthouse together. Baker County is one of the smaller counties in southwest Georgia, so the court sees fewer applications than larger urban areas. The fee is $56 for a standard license. Couples who have completed a qualifying premarital education course pay just $16 instead. No blood test or waiting period applies. You can receive your license on the spot as long as your documents check out and you pay the fee during normal court hours.
Baker County Marriage License Overview
Baker County Probate Court Details
Newton is a small town, and the probate court is the place for marriage licenses. It is the only office in Baker County that handles them. The staff can walk you through the paperwork. Call ahead to confirm the court is open, especially around holidays.
| Office | Baker County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 10, Newton, GA 39870 |
| Phone | (229) 734-3004 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
The court uses a P.O. Box for mail. If you need the physical address for directions, call (229) 734-3004. Staff can tell you exactly where to go. Parking at the courthouse is free.
What Documents Do You Need
Both applicants must show up together. This is a Georgia state requirement, not just a Baker County rule. Each person must present a valid photo ID. The court accepts these:
- State-issued driver's license or ID card
- U.S. passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Military ID card
If either person has been married before, bring proof that it ended. A certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate for a deceased former spouse will work. The court must verify this before they can issue a new license.
Georgia law requires applicants to be at least 18. Under OCGA 19-3-2, a 17-year-old may apply with documented emancipation and a premarital education certificate. The other party cannot be more than four years older. Marriage under age 17 is not allowed at all.
You will also sign a sworn statement that no legal barrier to the marriage exists. The application form asks for full names, dates of birth, addresses, and parent names as required by OCGA 19-3-33.
Baker County License Fees
Most couples pay $56. That covers the standard marriage license. If you have a premarital education certificate, the cost drops to $16. The education program has to last at least six hours and must be led by a qualified professional or member of the clergy. It needs to be done within 12 months before your application date.
The reduced fee exists because of OCGA 19-3-30.1. Georgia wants to encourage couples to go through counseling before they marry. Present the certificate when you apply. Without it, you pay the full $56.
Check with the Baker County Probate Court about how to pay. Cash and money orders are commonly accepted. Card payments may or may not be available. All fees are final and cannot be refunded.
After Your Ceremony
The person who performs your wedding signs the license right after. It is their job. Then the signed license must be sent back to the Baker County Probate Court. You have 30 days. This deadline is part of OCGA 19-3-30 and applies across the whole state.
Once the court records it, you will get your marriage certificate in the mail. It usually arrives within 30 days. If it takes longer than six weeks, follow up by calling (229) 734-3004.
Keep your certificate safe. You will use it for updating your name at the Social Security Administration, at your bank, and on your driver's license. Certified copies are available from the Baker County Probate Court.
Statewide Marriage License Resources
Georgia has a helpful page on the marriage license process. Check georgia.gov for general information that applies to all 159 counties.
The state page gives a broad overview. For Baker County specifics, always confirm with the probate court in Newton.
Online Tools and Record Searches
You can fill out your marriage license application online before your visit. The Georgia Probate Records portal lets you complete the form at home, print it, and bring it to the Baker County Probate Court. You still need to go in person.
Looking for an old marriage record? The search tool on that same site may help. The state vital records office at dph.georgia.gov holds marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. For records outside that window, contact Baker County directly.
Counties Near Baker County
Baker County is in southwest Georgia. Georgia residents are free to get a marriage license in any county. Here are the counties that border Baker County: