Columbia County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Columbia County are issued at the Probate Court in Evans. The county is part of the Augusta metropolitan area and has grown quickly in recent years. Both applicants must appear in person with photo identification. Standard Georgia fees apply. The Probate Court is open on weekdays and accepts walk-in applications. Columbia County includes Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, and Harlem, and all residents use the same court for marriage license applications.

Columbia County Probate Court

The Columbia County Probate Court handles all marriage license applications for the county. The mailing address is P.O. Box 310, Evans, GA 30809. The physical office is in the Columbia County Government Complex in Evans.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-in applicants are accepted throughout the day. Both people must show up together. Call ahead at (706) 868-3355 if you have questions about the process or need to confirm hours.

Evans is west of Augusta off Interstate 20. The Government Complex is well-marked and easy to find. Plenty of free parking is available in the surrounding lots.

Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must be present. Each person needs valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID will work. You also need proof of age if your ID does not show your date of birth.

Previously married applicants must bring documentation. Certified copies of the final divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate are accepted. The court will not issue a license without proof that all prior marriages have ended.

Georgia has no blood test, no waiting period, and no residency requirement for state residents. The license is issued the same day. It does not expire. Non-residents must apply in the county where their ceremony will take place.

The minimum age is 18. A 17-year-old may apply only with emancipation papers and a premarital education certificate. The other applicant cannot be more than four years older. Nobody under 17 is eligible in Georgia.

Columbia County Marriage License Fees

The standard fee is $56. Couples with a premarital education certificate pay $16. The course needs to be at least six hours and completed within 12 months. Both people take the course together. A licensed counselor, therapist, or clergy member must run the program.

Bring the certificate when you apply. There is no way to claim the discount after the fact. All fees are non-refundable.

Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each. Request them at the Columbia County Probate Court in person or by mail. State-level records from June 1952 through August 1996 are available from the Georgia Department of Public Health.

After the Wedding

Your officiant signs the license after the ceremony. Return the signed license to the Columbia County Probate Court within 30 days. Mail it to P.O. Box 310, Evans, GA 30809 or drop it off. The court records the document and mails the marriage certificate. Allow up to 30 days.

Call (706) 868-3355 if you have not received it after 45 days. Incomplete license forms are the most common cause of delays.

Marriage Officiants in Georgia

Georgia law allows several types of people to officiate wedding ceremonies. Judges, magistrates, and ministers can all perform weddings. Ordained clergy members of any denomination are authorized. Justices of the peace also qualify. If you want a friend or family member to officiate, they may need to get ordained through a recognized religious organization.

The officiant has an important responsibility. They must sign the marriage license and make sure it gets back to the Probate Court within 30 days. A missing or late return can cause problems with your marriage records. Talk to your officiant about this step before the ceremony so nothing falls through the cracks.

Columbia County Marriage Records

You can start the application online through the Georgia Probate Records portal. Print the completed form and bring it with you. This saves time at the counter but does not replace appearing in person.

Search past records using the marriage record search tool. The Georgia.gov marriage license page has a general overview of the state process.

Cities in Columbia County

Columbia County includes Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, and Harlem. All residents get their marriage license at the Probate Court in Evans.

Nearby Counties

Columbia County is in east Georgia near Augusta. These nearby counties also issue marriage licenses through their Probate Courts.