Brooks County Marriage License Search
Marriage licenses in Brooks County are issued at the Probate Court in Quitman, the county seat. Both people applying for the license must be present at the courthouse together with valid identification. Brooks County is located in south Georgia, close to the Florida state line. A standard marriage license costs $56. Couples with a premarital education certificate pay only $16. There is no blood test needed and no waiting period. The court can hand you the license the same day you apply, which means you are free to hold the ceremony right away if you wish.
Brooks County Marriage License at a Glance
Brooks County Probate Court Location
Quitman is where the Brooks County Probate Court is located. This is the only office in the county that can issue a marriage license. The town is about 30 miles south of Valdosta. The courthouse is downtown and easy to find.
| Office | Brooks County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 630, Quitman, GA 31643 |
| Phone | (229) 263-4747 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
For the physical street address, call (229) 263-4747. The mailing address uses a P.O. Box. Parking at the courthouse is free, and the office is accessible during weekday hours.
Brooks County Marriage License Requirements
Both applicants must show up at the same time. This is a Georgia state requirement. Each person needs a valid photo ID. Accepted forms include:
- Driver's license or state-issued ID
- Valid U.S. passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Military ID card
Previously married? Bring proof. A certified divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse is needed. The court has to verify that any prior marriage has ended before it will issue a new one.
You need to be 18 or older. Under OCGA 19-3-2, a 17-year-old may get a license if they have proof of emancipation and a premarital education certificate. The other person cannot be more than four years older. Nobody under 17 can marry.
The application form requires full names, birth dates, home addresses, and parents' names. You sign under oath. You also acknowledge receiving an AIDS/HIV brochure, which OCGA 19-3-35.1 requires.
Fee Schedule
The standard fee is $56. If you bring a premarital education certificate, you pay $16. The course must be at least six hours and done within 12 months before your application. A licensed counselor, therapist, or clergy member must lead it.
This reduced rate comes from OCGA 19-3-30.1. Present the certificate at the time of your application. Without it, the full $56 applies. Fees cannot be refunded.
After the Wedding
The officiant signs the license after the ceremony. The signed document goes back to the Brooks County Probate Court within 30 days. OCGA 19-3-30 makes this required. Mail it or bring it to the office.
The court records the license and sends you a marriage certificate by mail. This usually takes about 30 days. If you have not received it in 45 days, call (229) 263-4747. Certified copies can be requested later for a fee.
Georgia Marriage License Information
The state of Georgia provides general marriage license guidance at georgia.gov.
This covers the statewide process. For Brooks County details, the probate court in Quitman has the most current information.
Online Application and Record Search
Start the application online through the Georgia Probate Records portal. Print it and bring it to the Brooks County Probate Court. You still need to go in person.
Search existing marriage records at the marriage record search tool. The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps state-level records from June 1952 to August 1996. For records outside that range, contact Brooks County directly.
Who Can Officiate Your Wedding
In Georgia, a wide range of people can legally perform a marriage ceremony. Ordained ministers and clergy members of any faith qualify. So do judges, magistrates, justices of the peace, and certain court officials. The officiant does not need to be a Brooks County resident.
Online ordination is accepted in Georgia. A friend or family member can get ordained through an online ministry and perform your ceremony. There is no state registration needed for officiants. The only hard rule is that whoever officiates must sign the marriage license and make sure it gets back to the Brooks County Probate Court within 30 days. Missing that deadline creates complications, so do not put it off.
Nearby Counties
Brooks County is in south Georgia near the Florida border. Georgia residents can apply in any county.