Early County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Early County are issued by the Probate Court in Blakely. This rural southwest Georgia county has a quiet courthouse where the process is straightforward and usually quick. The probate court is the only place in Early County where you can apply for a marriage license. Both parties need to show up in person with valid photo ID and the filing fee. No appointment is needed for most visits, and the court can process your application on the same day you come in.

Early County Probate Court

All marriage license applications in Early County go through the Probate Court in Blakely. The court is in the Early County Courthouse. It is a small office, so the wait is usually short. Staff can help you fill out the application if you have questions.

Blakely is a small city, and the courthouse is easy to find downtown. Plan to arrive during morning hours if possible. That gives you plenty of buffer in case you need to gather any last-minute documents.

If you have a complicated situation, like a foreign ID or missing divorce paperwork, call ahead at (229) 723-3038 so the staff can advise you on what to bring.

Marriage License Requirements in Early County

Both people must visit the court in person. You can not apply by mail or send a representative. Every applicant must bring a valid photo ID. The court accepts driver's licenses, state IDs, passports, birth certificates, and military IDs.

If either person was previously married, you must present a certified copy of the final divorce decree or the death certificate of your former spouse. The document needs to be certified. Regular copies are not accepted.

Georgia requires all applicants to be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old can apply only with a court order of emancipation. There is no blood test and no waiting period in Georgia. You can fill out the application online at the Georgia Probate Records portal before visiting the court. Print the completed form and bring it along.

Georgia residents can apply in any county. Non-residents must apply in the county where the wedding will take place.

Early County Marriage License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Early County is $56. Couples who bring a premarital education certificate pay $16 instead. The education program must include at least six hours of instruction and be completed within 12 months of applying.

The discount is a Georgia state law benefit. Licensed counselors, religious leaders, and approved online providers can offer qualifying programs. You must present the signed completion certificate at the time of your application to get the lower price.

Confirm payment methods by calling the court ahead of time. Some rural probate courts in Georgia accept only cash or checks. Getting this right before you drive out saves you the trouble of making a second trip.

Early County Marriage License Resources

The Georgia.gov marriage license page has a full rundown on the marriage license process for every county in the state.

This page is a great place to start. It goes over the ID rules, fees, and the steps you follow after the ceremony. All of it applies to the Early County Probate Court.

After the Ceremony in Early County

The officiant must sign the marriage license right after the ceremony. Return the signed license to the Early County Probate Court within 30 days. You can mail it to the Blakely office or bring it back in person.

After the court records the license, they mail a certified marriage certificate to you. This takes a few weeks. If you have not received it in 45 days, call the court to check on the status. Before returning the signed license, make a copy for your own files.

Search Early County Marriage Records

Marriage records from Early County are maintained at the Probate Court. Contact the office at (229) 723-3038 to ask about a record or request a certified copy. You can also use the Georgia Probate Records search to look up records online.

State marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996 are held by the Georgia Department of Public Health. For records outside that range, the county probate court is the right source.

Nearby Counties

Early County is in southwest Georgia, near several other counties. Georgia law allows you to get a marriage license from any county probate court in the state.