Baldwin County Marriage License Lookup

Marriage license applications in Baldwin County go through the Probate Court in Milledgeville. Both applicants need to visit the court in person with valid identification and the required fee. Baldwin County sits in central Georgia and has Milledgeville as its county seat, which also served as Georgia's capital from 1804 to 1868. The standard license fee is $56, or $16 with a premarital education certificate. Georgia does not require blood tests for marriage, and there is no waiting period. You can get your license and have the ceremony on the same day.

Baldwin County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles all marriage licenses in Baldwin County. You will find it on North Wilkinson Street in Milledgeville. The office is inside the courthouse building. There is only one location, so all couples come here.

Milledgeville is home to Georgia College and State University. The courthouse area has metered parking and some free lots within walking distance. Try to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing so you have time to complete everything.

Documents and Eligibility

Both people must be present. That is a state rule. One person cannot apply on behalf of both. Each applicant needs a valid photo ID, such as:

• Driver's license or state-issued ID
• Valid passport
• Certified birth certificate
• Military ID

If either applicant was previously married, documentation of how that marriage ended is required. Bring a certified copy of your divorce decree or a death certificate for a deceased spouse. The probate court in Baldwin County checks this information before they will process your application.

The minimum age is 18. Georgia changed its law to allow 17-year-olds to marry only if they have been legally emancipated and completed premarital education (OCGA 19-3-2). The older applicant must not be more than four years older. No licenses go to anyone under 17.

Both applicants sign a sworn statement under oath. The application form collects full names, birth dates, home addresses, and parental names per OCGA 19-3-33. You also sign a form confirming you received an AIDS/HIV information brochure, which is required under OCGA 19-3-35.1.

Marriage License Fees in Baldwin County

The standard fee is $56. Most couples pay this amount. Couples who present a valid premarital education certificate pay $16 instead. The education must include at least six hours of instruction by a licensed professional or active clergy member, and it must have been completed within the last 12 months.

Georgia law under OCGA 19-3-30.1 provides the fee reduction as an incentive for premarital counseling. You need to have the certificate in hand when you apply. The court will not retroactively apply the discount.

Contact the Baldwin County Probate Court at (478) 445-4007 for accepted payment types. Many Georgia probate courts take cash, checks, and cards. Fees are non-refundable once you pay.

Residency and Application Rules

Georgia residents can apply in any county. You do not have to live in Baldwin County to get a license here. If neither applicant lives in Georgia, the license must come from the county where the wedding will take place. The license works throughout the state regardless of where it was issued.

What to Do After the Wedding

The officiant signs the license after the ceremony. Then it needs to come back to the Baldwin County Probate Court within 30 days. OCGA 19-3-30 makes this mandatory. You can return it by mail or in person.

After recording, the court sends your marriage certificate by mail. Allow about 30 days for it to arrive. If it takes longer, call (478) 445-4007. Certified copies of the certificate can be requested at any time after recording.

Georgia Marriage License Online Resources

The state government website at georgia.gov has a page that explains the marriage license process for all Georgia counties.

This covers general rules. For Baldwin County specifics, the probate court staff in Milledgeville can give you the most current info.

Apply Online Before Your Visit

Speed up the process by filling out the application online at the Georgia Probate Records portal. Print the completed form and bring it with you to the Baldwin County Probate Court. This does not replace the in-person visit, but it saves time.

To search for existing marriage records, try the marriage record search. The Georgia Department of Public Health holds state-level marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. Records outside that range are only at the county probate court.

Nearby Counties

Baldwin County is in the heart of Georgia. These counties share a border with it. Georgia residents can get a marriage license from any county in the state.