Brantley County Marriage License
Marriage license applications in Brantley County are filed at the Probate Court in Nahunta. Both people must appear in person to apply for the license. Brantley County is a rural county in southeast Georgia. The standard fee for a marriage license here is $56. If you and your partner have completed a qualifying premarital education program, the fee drops to $16. Georgia does not require a waiting period or blood test. You can walk in during business hours, fill out the application, pay the fee, and walk out with a valid marriage license the same day.
Brantley County Marriage License Quick Facts
Probate Court in Brantley County
The Brantley County Probate Court is the only place in the county to get a marriage license. The court is in Nahunta, the county seat. It is a small office but it handles all the marriage license work for the area.
| Office | Brantley County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 1067, Nahunta, GA 31553 |
| Phone | (912) 462-6402 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Need the street address? Call (912) 462-6402 for directions. The P.O. Box listed above is for mailing only. Nahunta is a small town, and the courthouse is central and easy to find. Free parking is available near the building.
Requirements to Apply
Both people show up together. No exceptions. Each person brings a valid photo ID. These are accepted:
- State driver's license or ID card
- U.S. passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Military ID
If either applicant was married before, you need documentation. A certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse is required. The court reviews this before they will issue a new marriage license.
Age requirements are strict. You must be 18 or older. OCGA 19-3-2 lets a 17-year-old apply with emancipation proof and a premarital education certificate, but the other person cannot be more than four years older. No one under 17 can marry in Georgia.
The application asks for full names, dates of birth, current addresses, and each parent's name. You sign under oath that there is no legal barrier to the marriage. Georgia also requires you to acknowledge an HIV/AIDS brochure per OCGA 19-3-35.1.
Marriage License Fee Information
A standard license is $56. Couples with a premarital education certificate pay $16. The program must last at least six hours, be led by a licensed professional or clergy member, and be completed within 12 months of your application date.
OCGA 19-3-30.1 sets up this reduced fee option. Bring the certificate to the court when you apply. Without it, the standard rate applies. Fees are non-refundable.
Contact the court to learn about accepted payment types. Cash and money orders are common at smaller Georgia courts. Some also take debit or credit cards.
After the Ceremony Steps
Your officiant signs the license after the wedding. Then it must be returned to the Brantley County Probate Court within 30 days per OCGA 19-3-30. Mail it to the P.O. Box or drop it off at the courthouse.
The court records the license and mails your marriage certificate. This takes about 30 days. If you have not received it within 45 days, reach out to the court at (912) 462-6402.
Keep the certificate safe. It serves as your legal proof of marriage for name changes, tax filings, and insurance purposes.
State of Georgia Marriage License Info
For general guidance on marriage licenses in Georgia, visit georgia.gov.
The state page is a good starting point. Always confirm Brantley County specifics with the probate court in Nahunta.
Online Application and Records
Start your application at the Georgia Probate Records portal. Print the completed form and bring it with you. You still need to go in person.
To search for existing marriage records, use the online search tool. The state vital records office has records from June 1952 through August 1996. For anything else, call the Brantley County Probate Court.
Name Change After Marriage
Changing your last name after the wedding is common but not automatic. The marriage certificate from the Brantley County Probate Court is your starting point. Take it to the Social Security office first. Update your Social Security card before you do anything else. After that, visit the DMV for a new driver's license.
You will also want to update your name with banks, employers, insurance companies, and the post office. Georgia does not charge a fee for a name change that comes from marriage. The whole process can take a few weeks if you stay on top of it.
Nearby Counties
Brantley County shares borders with these Georgia counties. You can apply for a marriage license in any of them if you are a Georgia resident.