Franklin County Marriage License

Marriage license filings for Franklin County are processed at the Probate Court in Carnesville. Franklin County is in northeast Georgia, not far from the South Carolina border. The probate court is the only place in the county to get a marriage license. Both people who plan to marry must come to the courthouse together. You need valid photo ID and the filing fee. Walk-ins are accepted during normal business hours. The staff can help you through the process from start to finish.

Franklin County Probate Court

The Franklin County Probate Court in Carnesville handles all marriage license applications for the county. The office is in the Franklin County Courthouse. Applications are processed on a walk-in basis during regular hours.

Carnesville is a small town along I-85 in northeast Georgia. The courthouse is easy to reach from the interstate. Arrive during morning hours if you want to avoid any chance of time pressure near closing.

Call (706) 384-2514 before your visit if you have special circumstances or need to check on payment options. The court staff is helpful and used to working with couples who have questions about the process.

Marriage License Requirements in Franklin County

Both applicants must be present at the Franklin County Probate Court. You cannot apply alone. Each person needs a valid photo ID. The court accepts driver's licenses, state IDs, passports, birth certificates, and military IDs.

If either applicant has been married before, a certified copy of the final divorce decree or death certificate is required. The document must be an official certified copy. Plain copies are not accepted by the court under any circumstances.

Georgia has no blood test requirement and no waiting period. The minimum age is 18. A 17-year-old can apply only with a court-issued emancipation order. You can get started on the application from home using the online portal. Print the completed form and bring it to the Franklin County courthouse.

Franklin County Marriage License Fee

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

The $40 discount comes from Georgia state law. Any program from a licensed counselor, religious institution, or approved online course qualifies. Bring your signed certificate when you apply to get the reduced rate.

Check with the court about what forms of payment they take. Having the right payment ready makes the visit go faster.

Franklin County Marriage License Resources

Visit the Georgia.gov marriage license page for a statewide guide to the marriage license process.

This page outlines the steps for applying, the ID requirements, and what to do after the wedding. All the information applies to the Franklin County Probate Court.

After the Ceremony in Franklin County

The officiant signs the marriage license after the wedding. You must return the signed license to the Franklin County Probate Court within 30 days. Mail it or bring it to the Carnesville courthouse.

The court records the document and mails a certified marriage certificate to you. Expect a few weeks for this. If it takes more than 45 days, call the court. Make a copy of the signed license before you send it back.

The marriage certificate is the document you need for legal name changes, insurance, Social Security updates, and bank accounts. Order extra certified copies if you need them for multiple purposes.

Search Franklin County Marriage Records

The Franklin County Probate Court keeps all local marriage records. Call (706) 384-2514 to ask about a record or request a certified copy. You can also search the Georgia Probate Records tool online.

The Georgia Department of Public Health holds state marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. Records outside that range are available only from the county probate court.

Tips for Your Visit to Franklin County

Arrive early. The court opens at 8:00 AM. Morning visits are best because you have more time to finish the application. Bring cash or check just in case. Have all your documents ready before you walk in. If you were married before, do not forget the divorce decree. Missing paperwork means a second trip.

Franklin County is a small court, so you probably will not wait long. Still, give yourself at least 30 minutes to fill out forms and sign everything. Call (706) 384-2514 ahead of time if you have any questions about what to bring.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County is in northeast Georgia near I-85. These neighboring counties also issue marriage licenses at their probate courts.