Clay County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Clay County are issued at the Probate Court in Fort Gaines, the county seat. Both applicants must visit the courthouse in person with valid photo ID and the required fee. Clay County is one of the smallest counties in Georgia by population, located in the southwest part of the state along the Chattahoochee River. The standard fee is $56, or $16 with a qualifying premarital education certificate. Georgia law does not require a blood test or a waiting period. The court can issue your license the same day you apply, making it possible to have the ceremony right away.
Clay County License Facts
Clay County Probate Court
Fort Gaines is a small town along the Alabama state line. The probate court here is the only place in Clay County to get a marriage license. Call ahead to make sure someone is available because it is a very small office.
| Office | Clay County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 550, Fort Gaines, GA 39851 |
| Phone | (229) 768-2631 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
For driving directions, call (229) 768-2631. The P.O. Box is just for mail. The courthouse is in downtown Fort Gaines. Parking is free, and the building is easy to spot.
What You Need
Both applicants must be present. Each brings valid photo ID:
- Driver's license or state ID
- U.S. passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Military ID card
Were you married before? Bring a certified final divorce decree or a death certificate for your former spouse. The court needs this to issue a new license.
You have to be 18 or older. Under OCGA 19-3-2, a 17-year-old may marry with emancipation documentation and a premarital education certificate. The other party cannot be more than four years older. Under 17 is not allowed.
The application form requires full names, birth dates, current addresses, and parents' names. Both applicants sign under oath. Each also signs a receipt for the HIV/AIDS brochure per OCGA 19-3-35.1.
Clay County Marriage License Fees
The fee is $56. With a premarital education certificate, it is $16. The course needs at least six hours of instruction within the last 12 months, led by a licensed professional or clergy member. OCGA 19-3-30.1 creates this discount.
Present the certificate when applying. Fees are non-refundable. Check with the court about accepted payment types.
After the Wedding
The officiant signs the license after the ceremony. Return the signed license to the Clay County Probate Court within 30 days per OCGA 19-3-30. Mail it or deliver it.
The court records it and sends your marriage certificate by mail. Allow about 30 days. If it has been more than 45 days, call (229) 768-2631. Keep the certificate safe for legal purposes.
Georgia Marriage License Resources
The state website at georgia.gov provides a general guide to the marriage license process.
This page covers the basics for all 159 counties. For Clay County specifics, contact the probate court in Fort Gaines.
Online Application and Record Search
Start the application online at the Georgia Probate Records portal. Print the form and bring it to the court. In-person appearance is still required.
Search for existing marriage records at the marriage record search. The Georgia Department of Public Health holds state records from June 1952 through August 1996. For all other records, contact Clay County directly.
Courthouse Weddings in Clay County
Some couples choose to have the ceremony at the courthouse. It is simple and fast. In Clay County, you can ask the probate judge in Fort Gaines to perform the wedding. Call (229) 768-2631 to ask if the judge is available and what the fee might be.
A courthouse wedding can happen the same day you pick up your license. Georgia has no waiting period, so there is nothing stopping you. Bring a witness if the court asks for one. Some couples bring a small group of family or friends. The courthouse in Fort Gaines is small, so keep the party size reasonable.
You still need to return the signed license to the Clay County Probate Court within 30 days. If the judge performs the ceremony, the court may handle the paperwork on the spot. Ask about this when you call ahead.
Marriage License vs. Marriage Certificate
These are two different documents. The license comes first. You get it before the wedding. It is your legal permission to marry. The certificate comes after. It proves the marriage happened.
At the Clay County Probate Court, you apply for the license with your ID and fee. After the wedding, the officiant signs it. Return the signed license to the court. They record it and mail you a marriage certificate. The certificate is what you need for name changes, insurance, and other legal tasks. If you ever lose your certificate, you can get a new copy from the Clay County court for a fee.
Nearby Counties
Clay County sits in southwest Georgia along the Alabama border. Georgia residents can apply in any county for a marriage license.