Elbert County Marriage License

Marriage license filings in Elbert County go through the Probate Court in Elberton. Elbert County is in northeast Georgia along the South Carolina border, and the court serves all couples looking to get married in the area. The Probate Court is the sole authority for issuing marriage licenses in the county. Walk-ins are taken during normal business hours. Both people must appear together with valid ID and the required filing fee. Staff at the courthouse can answer questions and walk you through the steps when you arrive.

Elbert County Probate Court Contact

The Elbert County Probate Court in Elberton is where you apply for a marriage license. The court is in the county courthouse downtown. Staff members handle applications on a walk-in basis and can process most of them in a single visit.

Elberton is known as the Granite Capital of the World, but the courthouse is straightforward to find. Parking is available in the area around the courthouse square. Come during morning hours if you can, to allow extra time in case something comes up.

For questions about specific documentation needs, call the court at (706) 283-2000. The staff can advise you on what to bring for your particular situation.

Elbert County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants need to appear in person at the Elbert County Probate Court. You cannot apply by yourself or through someone else. Bring valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, certified birth certificate, or military ID all work.

Previously married individuals must bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. The document has to be certified. A regular copy will not be accepted by the court.

Georgia does not require blood tests for a marriage license. There is no waiting period either. The minimum age to apply is 18. If you are 17, you need a court-ordered emancipation. No one under 17 can receive a marriage license in the state of Georgia.

Start the application at home using the Georgia Probate Records online portal. Print it out and take it to the courthouse. This saves time at the counter, especially during busier periods.

Marriage License Fees in Elbert County

The standard marriage license fee in Elbert County is $56. Couples with a premarital counseling certificate pay $16. The counseling must be at least six hours and completed within 12 months of your application.

Georgia state law provides this discount. It does not matter if the counseling was done through a church, a licensed therapist, or an approved online course. The key is having the signed certificate when you go to the courthouse.

Ask about payment methods when you call the Elbert County Probate Court. Knowing what the court accepts for payment saves you from an unnecessary second visit.

Elbert County Marriage License Online

Review the Georgia.gov marriage license page for a statewide overview of the process and requirements.

This resource covers ID types, fees, age requirements, and the return process after the ceremony. All of these rules apply at the Elbert County Probate Court.

After the Wedding Ceremony

The officiant signs the marriage license after the wedding. Return the signed license to the Elbert County Probate Court within 30 days. Drop it off or mail it to the Elberton courthouse.

Once the court records it, they mail you a certified marriage certificate. This takes a few weeks in most cases. Call (706) 283-2000 if you have not received your certificate after 45 days. Keep a copy of the signed license before turning it in.

Search Elbert County Marriage Records

Elbert County marriage records are on file at the Probate Court. You can call (706) 283-2000 to request a record or get a certified copy. The Georgia Probate Records search tool is available for online lookups as well.

The Georgia Department of Public Health holds state-level marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. For records before or after that period, contact the Elbert County Probate Court directly.

Nearby Counties

Elbert County is in northeast Georgia near the South Carolina line. These neighboring Georgia counties also issue marriage licenses through their probate courts.