Find Chattooga County Marriage License
Marriage license applications in Chattooga County are handled by the Probate Court in Summerville. Both people who plan to marry must come to the courthouse together. Chattooga County is in northwest Georgia, west of Dalton and south of Chattanooga. The license costs $56 without premarital education and $16 with a qualifying certificate. There is no blood test and no waiting period in Georgia. You walk in, fill out the form, pay, and leave with a valid license the same day. Summerville is the county seat and where all marriage license business takes place.
Chattooga County Marriage License Facts
Chattooga County Probate Court
Summerville is the only place in Chattooga County to get a marriage license. The probate court is downtown. It is a small office that handles licenses along with other probate duties.
| Office | Chattooga County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 159, Summerville, GA 30747 |
| Phone | (706) 857-0708 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
For the physical address, call (706) 857-0708. Parking near the courthouse is free. Arrive during business hours and give yourself time to complete the application before the office closes.
Requirements and Documents
Both people show up together. Each brings valid photo ID:
- Driver's license or state-issued ID
- U.S. passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Military ID
Bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate if either person was married before. The court checks this before issuing a new license.
You must be 18 or older. OCGA 19-3-2 allows 17-year-olds with emancipation proof and a premarital education certificate. The other party must be within four years of age. Under 17 is not allowed.
The application asks for full names, birth dates, addresses, and parents' names. You sign under oath. Both applicants acknowledge the HIV/AIDS brochure per OCGA 19-3-35.1.
Chattooga County License Cost
Standard fee is $56. Couples with a premarital education certificate pay $16. The course must last at least six hours, be done within the prior 12 months, and be led by a licensed counselor or clergy member. OCGA 19-3-30.1 provides the legal basis for this reduced fee.
Have the certificate with you at the court. Without it, you pay the full amount. Fees are non-refundable.
After Your Wedding
The officiant signs the license. Return the signed license to the Chattooga County Probate Court within 30 days per OCGA 19-3-30. Mail or hand-deliver it.
The court records it and mails your marriage certificate within about 30 days. If you have not received it after 45 days, call (706) 857-0708. Keep the certificate for name changes and legal records.
Georgia Marriage License Information
The official state website at georgia.gov has a general overview for all counties.
For Chattooga County details, the probate court in Summerville has the most current info.
Online Application and Records
Fill out the application ahead of time at the Georgia Probate Records portal. Print it and bring it to the court. You still must appear in person.
Search existing records at the marriage record search tool. The state vital records office has records from June 1952 through August 1996. For records outside that range, contact the Chattooga County Probate Court.
Name Change After Marriage in Chattooga County
Georgia does not require you to change your name. It is a personal choice. But if you want to take your spouse's last name, the marriage certificate from the Chattooga County Probate Court is the document that starts the process.
First, go to the Social Security office. Bring your certified marriage certificate and a photo ID. Fill out form SS-5 to update your name. This step comes before everything else. Once Social Security has your new name, you can update your driver's license at the Georgia DDS office. Bring the new Social Security card and your marriage certificate.
After those two are done, update your bank accounts, credit cards, insurance, voter registration, and any professional licenses. Some places need to see the marriage certificate. Others just need the new driver's license. It helps to make a list of every account you need to change so you don't miss any.
The whole process takes a few weeks if you stay on top of it. Chattooga County couples should plan for this ahead of time.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding
Georgia allows several types of people to perform weddings. Judges can officiate. So can ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. OCGA 19-3-30 lists who qualifies.
The officiant does not need to live in Chattooga County or even in Georgia. Online ordinations are accepted. The key thing is that the officiant signs the marriage license after the ceremony and that it gets returned to the Summerville probate court within 30 days. If you want the Chattooga County probate judge to perform your wedding, call (706) 857-0708 to check on availability and any fees.
Nearby Counties
Chattooga County is in northwest Georgia. Georgia residents may apply in any county for a marriage license.