Search Bartow County Marriage License

Marriage license applications in Bartow County are handled by the Probate Court in Cartersville. The courthouse is located on West Cherokee Avenue and serves all couples who wish to marry in Bartow County or who live here. Both applicants must be present at the same time. The fee is $56 without premarital counseling, or $16 with it. Georgia law requires no blood test and imposes no waiting period. This means you can apply and get the license on the same visit. Bartow County sits about an hour northwest of Atlanta along I-75, making the Cartersville courthouse easy to reach from much of the metro area.

Bartow County Probate Court

Cartersville is the county seat of Bartow County. The Probate Court sits on West Cherokee Avenue in the government center. This is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses. Walk-ins are generally accepted during business hours.

The building is in downtown Cartersville. There are parking lots and street parking nearby. Arrive early if you want to avoid any afternoon rush. The court closes at 5:00 PM, but try to get there by 4:00 PM to be safe.

Requirements for a Bartow County Marriage License

Both people must come to the court together. You cannot have someone else apply for you. Each applicant needs one of these forms of ID:

• Georgia driver's license or state-issued ID
• U.S. passport
• Certified copy of birth certificate
• Valid military ID

If you were previously married, bring the certified final divorce decree or a death certificate of your former spouse. This is needed to show the earlier marriage ended legally. The court reviews these documents before processing your application.

Georgia requires you to be 18 or older. OCGA 19-3-2 does allow 17-year-olds to marry under very specific conditions. The 17-year-old must be legally emancipated and have completed a premarital education program. The other party cannot be more than four years older. Under 17 is not allowed.

Both applicants fill out the application form, which asks for your names, birth dates, addresses, and parent names. You sign under oath that nothing prevents the marriage. Each person also signs a receipt for the AIDS/HIV brochure per OCGA 19-3-35.1.

Bartow County License Fee Schedule

The standard fee is $56. Couples who present a certificate from a qualifying premarital education program pay $16. The program must include at least six hours of instruction by a licensed counselor, therapist, social worker, or clergy member. You must complete the program within 12 months before applying.

This fee reduction is provided under OCGA 19-3-30.1. Bring the signed certificate of completion when you visit the Bartow County Probate Court. Without it, the full $56 applies.

Call (770) 387-5055 to confirm what forms of payment are accepted. Fees are non-refundable once paid.

After the Ceremony

Your officiant signs the marriage license once the ceremony is done. The signed license must be returned to the Bartow County Probate Court within 30 days per OCGA 19-3-30. Mail it to the courthouse or bring it in person.

The court records the return and mails you a certified marriage certificate. It usually takes about 30 days. If you have not received it after 45 days, call (770) 387-5055 to check on it. You need this document for updating your name at the Social Security office, the DMV, your bank, and other places.

State Marriage License Information

Georgia's official government website has a general marriage license information page at georgia.gov that covers the rules for every county.

For Bartow County details, the probate court staff in Cartersville can answer your questions.

Online Application and Record Search

Start the process from home. The Georgia Probate Records portal lets you fill out the application online. Print it and bring it with you. You will still need to show up in person.

To search for an existing marriage record, use the marriage record search. The Georgia Department of Public Health stores state marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. For other records, contact the Bartow County Probate Court.

Cities in Bartow County

Cartersville is the main city in Bartow County. All marriage licenses for residents of Bartow County cities go through the Probate Court in Cartersville.

Counties Near Bartow

Bartow County is in northwest Georgia along I-75. Georgia residents can get a marriage license from any county in the state. Here are Bartow County's neighbors: