Search Colquitt County Marriage License

Colquitt County marriage licenses are processed at the Probate Court in Moultrie, Georgia. Moultrie is the county seat and serves as the hub for all county government offices. Both applicants must come to the court in person with valid ID to get a marriage license. No appointment is needed for most visits, though calling ahead is a good idea. The court charges $56 for a standard marriage license. A reduced fee of $16 is available for couples who finish a premarital education course before applying.

Colquitt County Probate Court Details

The Probate Court in Moultrie handles all marriage license applications for Colquitt County. The office is in the county courthouse. You can reach them by phone to ask about the process or confirm what documents you need. Staff are helpful with first-time applicants who may not know the steps involved.

Colquitt County sits in south Georgia. Moultrie is the largest city in the county. The Probate Court is easy to find in the downtown area. Parking is available near the courthouse. If you are driving from another part of the state, plan for the trip and bring all your paperwork.

Marriage License Requirements in Colquitt County

Both people must visit the Colquitt County Probate Court together. This is a state requirement and there are no exceptions. Each person must present valid identification at the time of the application. The court needs to verify your identity and age before issuing the license.

Valid forms of ID include:

• Georgia driver's license or state-issued ID
• U.S. passport (must be current)
• Certified birth certificate
• Active military ID

Both applicants must be 18 or older. No blood test is required in Georgia. If either person has been married before, you must bring proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate is what you need. The court will not issue a new marriage license without seeing this document.

Your Social Security number is part of the application. You do not need to be a Colquitt County resident. Georgia residents can apply in any county. Non-residents of Georgia can apply in Colquitt County, but the ceremony must take place within the county if neither person lives in the state.

Colquitt County Marriage License Fees

A standard marriage license costs $56 in Colquitt County. Couples who complete an approved premarital education course pay only $16. That course must cover at least six hours of instruction and must be done within 12 months before the application. Bring the completion certificate with you.

The fee is due when you apply. It is not refundable if you change your mind or if the license is not used. Check with the court about accepted forms of payment. Cash, check, and cards may all be options, but smaller offices sometimes have restrictions.

After your marriage is recorded, you can order certified copies. These copies are your official proof of marriage. You will need them for things like updating your name on a driver's license, changing Social Security records, or adding a spouse to health insurance. The fee for each copy depends on the court's current schedule.

Returning the License After the Ceremony

The officiant must sign the marriage license right after the ceremony. Then the signed license has to be returned to the Colquitt County Probate Court within 30 days. This is a firm deadline set by Georgia law. If the license is not turned in on time, it can cause delays in recording your marriage.

Once the court records the marriage, you can request certified copies. The recording process may take a few weeks. If you need proof of marriage quickly, let the court know and ask what options are available. Some courts can expedite the process if needed.

For marriage records from 1952 to 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health is another resource. Visit dph.georgia.gov for those records. Everything else stays with the county Probate Court where the license was filed.

Online Resources for Colquitt County

Start your application online using the Georgia Probate Records portal. Fill out the form at home, print it, and take it to the court. This speeds things up but does not eliminate the need to visit in person. Both people still have to show up with their ID and pay the fee.

If you want to search for existing marriage records in Colquitt County, the marriage record search tool is a good place to start. The state's overview page at georgia.gov also has useful information about the process statewide.

Keep in mind that online tools are for research and pre-application only. The actual license must be picked up at the Colquitt County Probate Court in Moultrie. No county in Georgia issues marriage licenses entirely online.

Wedding Officiants in Colquitt County

Georgia allows several types of people to perform wedding ceremonies. Any judge, magistrate, or minister can officiate. Ordained clergy of any denomination are authorized. Justices of the peace and certain other officials also qualify under state law.

The officiant does not have to register with Colquitt County. They just need to sign the marriage license and return it within 30 days. If you plan to have a friend or family member officiate, they need to be properly ordained or authorized under Georgia law. Ask the Probate Court if you are unsure about your officiant's qualifications.

Nearby Counties

Colquitt County borders several other counties in south Georgia. You can apply for a marriage license in any Georgia county, no matter where you live.