Effingham County Marriage License Lookup
Marriage license applications in Effingham County are processed at the Probate Court in Springfield. Effingham County is just northwest of Savannah and has been one of the faster-growing counties in the state. The probate court sees a good number of marriage license applications each year. Both applicants must visit the court together with valid identification and the required fee. The staff handles walk-in applications during regular business hours. If you want to speed things up, fill out the online application before you go.
Effingham County Marriage License Quick Facts
Effingham County Probate Court
The Effingham County Probate Court in Springfield is where you apply for a marriage license. The office is in the county government complex. Staff members process applications during regular hours and can assist with any questions you have about the filing process.
| Office | Effingham County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 307, Springfield, GA 31329 |
| Phone | (912) 754-2118 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Springfield is a short drive from Savannah. Many couples who live in the Savannah metro area but reside in Effingham County file here instead of driving into Chatham County. Georgia law lets you apply in any county, so you have options.
The court is closed on weekends and state holidays. Plan to arrive by mid-afternoon at the latest to give yourself enough time to complete the process.
Marriage License Requirements in Effingham County
Both people who plan to get married must appear at the Effingham County Probate Court together. No one else can apply on your behalf. Valid photo identification is required from each applicant.
Accepted forms of ID include:
- Georgia driver's license or state ID
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Certified copy of birth certificate
- Valid military ID
- Foreign passport with proper documentation
If either applicant was married before, you must show that the prior marriage ended. Bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate. This must be an official certified copy. Photocopies are not accepted by the court.
Applicants must be 18 or older. A 17-year-old can apply only with a court-ordered emancipation. No blood test is required. There is no waiting period in Georgia. You can use the online application to start the process from home, then bring the printed form to the courthouse.
Effingham County Marriage License Fees
The marriage license fee in Effingham County is $56. If you present a premarital counseling certificate, the fee is reduced to $16. The counseling must be at least six hours long and completed within 12 months of the application.
This is a statewide discount. Programs from licensed counselors, religious institutions, or approved online courses all qualify. You need to have the signed certificate in hand when you apply. The court cannot apply the discount after the fact.
Contact the court at (912) 754-2118 to verify which forms of payment they accept. Having the correct payment ready will keep your visit smooth and fast.
Effingham County Marriage License Online
For a complete look at the statewide marriage license process, visit the Georgia.gov marriage license page.
This page provides a step-by-step guide that covers everything from the application to what happens after the ceremony. All the information applies to the Effingham County Probate Court.
After the Ceremony in Effingham County
The person who performs the wedding signs the marriage license. The signed license must go back to the Effingham County Probate Court within 30 days. Mail it or bring it to the courthouse in Springfield.
Once recorded, the court mails a certified marriage certificate to you. Expect this to take a few weeks. If it has been more than 45 days and you have not gotten your certificate, call the court. Make a copy of the signed license before returning it.
Your marriage certificate is the official proof of your marriage. You will use it for name changes, insurance updates, and other legal business. Request additional certified copies if you need them for multiple purposes at once.
Search Effingham County Marriage Records
Marriage records for Effingham County are kept at the Probate Court in Springfield. Call (912) 754-2118 to inquire about a record or request a copy. The Georgia Probate Records search is another option for finding marriage records online.
The Georgia Department of Public Health has state marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. For records outside that period, the county probate court is where you need to look.
Nearby Counties
Effingham County borders several other counties in the Savannah area. Georgia residents can apply for a marriage license in any county they choose.