Find Bleckley County Marriage License
Marriage licenses for Bleckley County come from the Probate Court in Cochran. You and your partner must visit in person to fill out the application. Bleckley County is a small county in central Georgia, and Cochran is its county seat. The license costs $56 unless you bring a premarital education certificate, which lowers it to $16. Georgia has no blood test requirement and no waiting period at all. The court issues your license the same day you apply. Call ahead if you want to check that the judge or clerk is in the office before you make the trip.
Bleckley County Marriage License Info
Bleckley County Probate Court
The probate court in Cochran handles all marriage license applications for Bleckley County. It is the only place in the county where you can get one. Cochran is also home to Middle Georgia State University. The courthouse is in the center of town.
| Office | Bleckley County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 152, Cochran, GA 31014 |
| Phone | (478) 934-3210 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Call (478) 934-3210 if you need the physical street address for GPS. The P.O. Box above is the mailing address only. Parking is free near the courthouse. Plan your visit for weekday mornings if possible to allow plenty of time.
What You Need to Apply
Both people must appear in person. Nobody can go on your behalf. Each applicant brings a valid photo ID:
- Driver's license or state-issued ID
- Valid U.S. passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Military identification card
If either person was married previously, you must show proof it ended. A certified copy of the divorce decree is the standard document. A death certificate for a deceased spouse also works. The court needs to verify this before issuing a new license.
Georgia law under OCGA 19-3-2 says you must be 18 or older. A 17-year-old may apply if they have been emancipated and completed premarital education, but the other applicant must be within four years of their age. Under 17 is not permitted.
Fees for a Bleckley County License
The standard fee is $56. With proof of premarital education, you pay $16. The education course must include at least six hours of instruction and be completed within 12 months of your application. It has to be led by a licensed counselor, therapist, social worker, or active clergy member.
OCGA 19-3-30.1 provides for the reduced fee. You must present the certificate at the time of application. Without it, the full $56 applies. All fees are non-refundable. Ask the court about accepted payment methods before you go.
After the Wedding
The officiant signs the license after the ceremony. Return the signed license to the Bleckley County Probate Court within 30 days. That deadline comes from OCGA 19-3-30. Mail it or hand it in.
The court records it and sends your marriage certificate by mail. This takes roughly 30 days. If you do not get it in 45 days, call the court. Keep the certificate in a safe spot because you will need it for name changes and legal updates.
Georgia State Marriage License Page
For statewide details on the marriage license process, see the official georgia.gov page.
This page covers general rules for the whole state. Contact the Bleckley County Probate Court in Cochran for county-level details.
Start Online or Search Records
Fill out your application in advance at the Georgia Probate Records portal. Print it and take it to the court. You still must appear in person.
To look up existing records, the marriage record search tool covers many Georgia counties. The Georgia Department of Public Health has state records from June 1952 to August 1996. Outside that range, the county probate court has what you need.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Bleckley County
Georgia law is broad on this. Any ordained minister or clergy member can perform a wedding. Judges, magistrates, and justices of the peace also qualify. Even a court clerk or city recorder can officiate in some cases. The officiant does not need to live in Bleckley County or even in Georgia.
Friends or family members can get ordained online and perform the ceremony. Georgia does not require officiants to register with the state. The key rule is that the person who performs the wedding must sign the license and return it to the Bleckley County Probate Court within 30 days. If the license is not returned on time, it can cause problems with your marriage record.
Nearby Counties
Bleckley County is in central Georgia. Georgia residents can get a marriage license in any county in the state.