Grady County Marriage License

Marriage license filings in Grady County are handled by the Probate Court in Cairo. Grady County is in southwest Georgia, just north of the Florida line. The probate court is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses. Both applicants must visit the court together. You will need valid photo ID and the filing fee. The court takes walk-in applications during regular business hours. The staff can help you through each step of the application process, and most couples leave with their license the same day they apply.

Grady County Probate Court Contact

The Grady County Probate Court in Cairo processes all marriage license applications for the county. The office is in the Grady County Courthouse. Applications are taken on a walk-in basis during normal hours.

Cairo (pronounced Kay-ro locally) is a small city in the southern part of the state. The courthouse is in the center of town. Arrive with plenty of time before the office closes so the staff can finish your application without rushing.

For questions about your specific situation, call the court at (229) 377-4621 ahead of your visit. The staff can tell you what documents to bring and confirm payment options.

Grady County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must appear at the Grady County Probate Court together. You cannot apply alone or have a friend apply for you. Each person needs a valid photo ID. Accepted types include driver's licenses, state IDs, passports, certified birth certificates, and military IDs.

Previously married applicants must provide a certified copy of the final divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse. This is a state requirement. The document must be an official certified copy with a seal or stamp, not a plain photocopy.

Georgia has no blood test or waiting period. You must be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old can apply with a court order of emancipation. Nobody younger than 17 can receive a marriage license in Georgia.

Start the application at home using the Georgia Probate Records online portal. Print it and bring it along. This can save time at the counter.

Grady County Marriage License Fee

The standard fee for a marriage license in Grady County is $56. If you have a premarital education certificate, the fee is just $16. The education program must be at least six hours and completed within 12 months of your application.

The $40 savings comes from Georgia state law. Qualifying programs can be done through licensed counselors, religious leaders, or approved online courses. You need the signed certificate in hand when you apply.

Call the court to check on accepted payment methods. Some probate courts in rural Georgia take only cash or checks. Confirming beforehand avoids a wasted trip.

Grady County Marriage License Online

For a full guide to the marriage license process, visit the Georgia.gov marriage license page.

This page covers the requirements, fees, and post-ceremony steps for all Georgia counties, including Grady County.

After the Ceremony in Grady County

The officiant signs the marriage license after the wedding. Return the signed license to the Grady County Probate Court within 30 days. Mail it or drop it off in person at the Cairo courthouse.

The court records the license and mails a certified marriage certificate to you. This takes a few weeks. If you have not received it within 45 days, call the court at (229) 377-4621 to check. Make a copy of the signed license before returning it.

Your certified marriage certificate serves as the official record of your marriage. You need it for legal name changes, updating IDs, and other purposes.

Search Grady County Marriage Records

Grady County marriage records are on file at the Probate Court. Call (229) 377-4621 to request a copy or verify a record. The Georgia Probate Records search tool is available for online lookups.

State-level marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996 are held by the Georgia Department of Public Health. For records outside that time frame, contact the county probate court directly.

Nearby Counties

Grady County is in southwest Georgia near the Florida border. These nearby counties also issue marriage licenses through their probate courts.