Find Dodge County Marriage License

Marriage license filings in Dodge County are processed at the Probate Court in Eastman. The court sits in the center of the county and serves all residents looking to get married. Dodge County is in the middle part of the state, and the probate court handles a range of legal matters beyond just marriage licenses. Both applicants must visit the court together. You will need valid photo ID and the correct fee. The staff is available by phone if you want to confirm any details before your trip to the courthouse.

Dodge County Probate Court Contact

The Dodge County Probate Court in Eastman is the place to go for your marriage license. The court handles marriage licenses, wills, estates, and other probate matters. Walk-ins are accepted during business hours, and most applications are completed the same day.

The courthouse is in downtown Eastman. Parking is typically available nearby. If you are coming from out of the area, plan your trip so you arrive with plenty of time before the office closes at 5:00 PM.

The court staff can answer questions about special circumstances, such as applicants who are not U.S. citizens or those with prior marriages. Just call (478) 374-4361 before your visit.

Dodge County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must come to the Dodge County Probate Court together. No proxies or representatives are allowed. Each applicant needs one of these forms of ID:

• Valid driver's license or state-issued ID
• U.S. or foreign passport
• Certified copy of birth certificate
• Military identification card

If you were married before, a certified copy of the final divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse is required. The court will not accept the license application without this proof. Make sure the document is a certified copy, not a photocopy.

Applicants must be at least 18. A 17-year-old may apply only with a valid emancipation order from a Georgia court. No one under 17 can marry in Georgia. Blood tests have not been required since 2003, and Georgia has no waiting period for marriage licenses.

You can fill out the application in advance using the online application portal. Print the form, and bring it with you to the courthouse along with your ID and fee. This saves time at the window.

Marriage License Fees in Dodge County

The cost of a marriage license in Dodge County is $56. Couples who present a premarital counseling certificate pay only $16. The counseling must include at least six hours and be finished within 12 months of your application date.

The reduced fee is set by Georgia law and applies in every county. Approved programs can come from licensed counselors, religious leaders, or certain online providers. Bring the signed certificate when you apply to get the discount. You cannot claim it after the fact.

Call (478) 374-4361 to ask about accepted forms of payment before heading to the courthouse. Some smaller courts in Georgia are cash only. Others take checks or cards. It is best to confirm so you are not caught off guard.

Dodge County Marriage License Online

Visit the Georgia.gov marriage license page for a complete overview of the process that applies across all Georgia counties.

This state resource outlines every step from the application to the ceremony and beyond. It is worth reviewing before you visit the Dodge County Probate Court.

After the Ceremony

The person who performs the ceremony signs the marriage license. The signed document then goes back to the Dodge County Probate Court within 30 days. You can return it by mail or in person at the Eastman courthouse.

Once the court processes and records the license, they mail a certified marriage certificate to you. It usually takes a few weeks. If you have not gotten it within 45 days, reach out to the court. Before you send the signed license back, make a copy for yourself.

Your marriage certificate is an important document. You need it for legal name changes, insurance, Social Security, and other matters. Store it somewhere safe and request extra certified copies if needed.

Search Dodge County Marriage Records

Marriage records from Dodge County are kept at the Probate Court in Eastman. You can call (478) 374-4361 to ask about a specific record or request a certified copy. The Georgia Probate Records search tool also lets you look up records online.

For state-level records from June 1952 to August 1996, contact the Georgia Department of Public Health. Records before or after that window are only available from the county where the license was filed.

Nearby Counties

Dodge County shares borders with several other counties. Since Georgia lets you get a marriage license in any county, you have options if another courthouse is more convenient.