Ben Hill County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Ben Hill County are issued by the Probate Court in Fitzgerald, the county seat. Couples must go to the courthouse together with valid identification and the application fee. Ben Hill County is in south-central Georgia. The standard license fee is $56. Couples who have gone through a qualifying premarital education program pay a reduced fee of $16. No blood test is needed in Georgia, and there is no waiting period. The court can issue your license on the spot during normal business hours. Fitzgerald is the only place in Ben Hill County where you can get a marriage license.
Ben Hill County Marriage License Key Info
Where to Get a Marriage License in Ben Hill County
The Ben Hill County Probate Court is the only office that issues marriage licenses here. The court is in Fitzgerald, which is the county seat. The staff can help guide you through the application process when you arrive.
| Office | Ben Hill County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 447, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 |
| Phone | (229) 426-5140 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
The mailing address is a P.O. Box. For driving directions, call (229) 426-5140 and ask for the physical address. The courthouse is in the center of Fitzgerald with free parking available. Arrive before 4:30 PM to give yourself time to finish.
What You Need for a Ben Hill County Marriage License
Both people must come together. No proxy allowed. Bring one of these forms of photo ID per person:
- Driver's license or state ID
- Valid passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Military ID
Anyone who was married before needs proof of how it ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate for a former spouse works. The probate court verifies this before they process the new license.
You must be 18 to marry in Georgia. OCGA 19-3-2 allows a 17-year-old to apply if they have proof of emancipation and have completed a premarital education course. The other applicant cannot be more than four years older. Nobody under 17 can get a license.
The application itself is straightforward. You provide your full name, date of birth, address, and parents' names. Both people sign under oath. You also sign a form saying you received an HIV/AIDS informational brochure as required by OCGA 19-3-35.1.
Ben Hill County Marriage License Fees
Standard cost is $56. With a premarital education certificate, it drops to $16. The course has to run at least six hours and be led by a licensed professional or clergy member. It needs to be done within 12 months before you apply.
This discount exists under OCGA 19-3-30.1. Have your certificate ready when you go to the Ben Hill County Probate Court. No certificate means you pay the full amount.
Check with the court about how to pay. Cash and money orders tend to be accepted at smaller courts. All fees are final and non-refundable.
Returning the License After the Ceremony
Your officiant must sign the license right after the wedding. The signed license has to go back to the Ben Hill County Probate Court within 30 days. OCGA 19-3-30 requires this. You can mail it to P.O. Box 447, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or drop it off.
Once the court records it, you will receive your marriage certificate by mail. It generally takes about 30 days. If it takes longer than 45 days, contact the court by phone to check the status.
The marriage certificate serves as legal proof of your marriage. Keep it safe. You will use it for name changes, tax filings, and other official purposes. Extra certified copies are available from the probate court.
Georgia Marriage License Details Online
The official Georgia government site at georgia.gov provides an overview of marriage license rules that apply across the state.
This is a helpful starting point. For anything specific to Ben Hill County, contact the probate court in Fitzgerald.
Online Application and Records
You can fill out the application before visiting the court. Use the Georgia Probate Records portal to complete the form online, then print it and bring it to your appointment. The in-person visit is still required.
For searching existing marriage records, the marriage record search tool is available online. State-level records from June 1952 to August 1996 are at the Georgia Department of Public Health. For all other years, the Ben Hill County Probate Court is the place to look.
Nearby Counties
Ben Hill County is surrounded by these Georgia counties. Residents of Georgia can apply for a marriage license in any county.