Chattahoochee County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Chattahoochee County are issued by the Probate Court in Cusseta. Both people must appear at the court together with valid identification and the filing fee. Chattahoochee County is home to much of Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), which means the court regularly handles applications from military personnel and their families. The standard fee is $56, or $16 if both applicants have a premarital education certificate. Georgia requires no blood test and no waiting period. The court can issue the license the same day you apply, as long as all paperwork is complete.
Chattahoochee County License Overview
Chattahoochee County Probate Court
Cusseta is the county seat of Chattahoochee County. The probate court there is the only office that issues marriage licenses in the county. Because of Fort Moore, the county has a mix of permanent residents and military families.
| Office | Chattahoochee County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 120, Cusseta, GA 31805 |
| Phone | (706) 989-3603 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Call (706) 989-3603 for the physical address and directions. The town is small and the courthouse is easy to locate. Parking is free. Military personnel stationed at Fort Moore who are Georgia residents can apply here or in any other Georgia county.
What You Need to Bring
Both applicants appear in person. Each person brings a valid form of photo ID:
- State-issued driver's license or ID
- U.S. passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Military ID card
Military ID is commonly used at this court. If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse. The court needs proof that the prior marriage ended.
You must be at least 18 to apply. Under OCGA 19-3-2, a 17-year-old can get a license with proof of emancipation and a premarital education certificate. The other party cannot be more than four years older. Nobody under 17 can marry in Georgia.
The application form collects full names, dates of birth, addresses, and parent information. Both applicants sign under oath. Each also signs an acknowledgment of the HIV/AIDS brochure per OCGA 19-3-35.1.
Fee Schedule
The standard fee is $56. With a premarital education certificate, you pay $16. The course needs to last at least six hours, be done within 12 months, and be taught by a licensed counselor, therapist, or clergy member. OCGA 19-3-30.1 authorizes this discount.
Bring the certificate at the time of application. No exceptions. Fees are non-refundable. Check with the court about payment methods.
After Your Ceremony
The officiant signs the marriage license after the wedding. Return the signed license to the Chattahoochee County Probate Court within 30 days per OCGA 19-3-30. You can mail it or deliver it in person.
After recording, the court mails your marriage certificate. Allow about 30 days. If you have not received it in 45 days, call (706) 989-3603. Keep the certificate safe for name changes and legal updates.
Georgia Marriage License Overview
The state government website at georgia.gov has information that applies to all Georgia counties.
For Chattahoochee County specifics, contact the probate court in Cusseta.
Online Tools
Start the application before your visit at the Georgia Probate Records portal. Print it and bring it in. An in-person visit is still required.
Search for existing records at the marriage record search tool. The Georgia Department of Public Health has records from June 1952 to August 1996. For other years, the Chattahoochee County Probate Court is where you go.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Chattahoochee County
Georgia law allows several types of people to perform a wedding ceremony. Any judge, including probate judges, can officiate. Ministers, priests, and other religious leaders who are ordained or licensed can also do it. OCGA 19-3-30 lists the full set of authorized officiants.
The officiant does not need to live in Chattahoochee County. They do not need to be from Georgia at all. What matters is that they sign the license after the ceremony and that the signed document gets back to the probate court in Cusseta within 30 days. Friends or family members can become ordained online through various organizations, and Georgia accepts those ordinations. Just make sure the person is comfortable filling out the license paperwork correctly.
If you want the probate judge in Chattahoochee County to perform your ceremony, call (706) 989-3603 to ask about scheduling. Some probate judges will do it the same day you get the license. Others may want you to set a time. A small fee may apply for the judge to officiate, so ask about that when you call.
Marriage License vs. Marriage Certificate
People mix these up all the time. The marriage license is what you get before the wedding. It gives you permission to marry. The marriage certificate is the record that proves you are married. You get that after the ceremony.
In Chattahoochee County, you pick up the license at the probate court in Cusseta. After your wedding, the officiant signs it. You return the signed license to the court. Then the court records it and sends you a marriage certificate. The certificate is the document you use for name changes, insurance, and legal purposes. Keep it safe. If you lose it, you can get a copy from the court, but it takes time and there is a fee.
Nearby Counties
Chattahoochee County is in west Georgia near the Alabama border. Georgia residents can apply for a marriage license in any county.