Search Hancock County Marriage License

Marriage license applications in Hancock County go through the Probate Court in Sparta. The court serves all of Hancock County and processes marriage licenses during regular business hours. Both applicants must come to the office together with valid identification. Hancock County is a small, rural county in central Georgia, so the office may have limited staff. Calling ahead is a good idea to make sure the judge or clerk is available when you plan to visit. Walk-ins are accepted, but a quick phone call can save you a trip if the office is closed for any reason.

Hancock County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Sparta is the sole office that issues marriage licenses in Hancock County. The court handles a range of matters beyond marriage licenses, including wills, estates, and guardianships. Because it is a smaller office, you might deal directly with the probate judge.

For general information on getting married in Georgia, visit the state marriage license page on georgia.gov.

The state site outlines the steps and documents you need before going to your local probate court.

The staff can answer questions about what you need to bring. If you are coming from out of town, confirm the office is open before making the drive. Small county offices sometimes close for training days or court sessions.

Requirements for a Hancock County Marriage License

Both applicants must appear together at the Probate Court. You each need a valid photo ID. Georgia law requires you to be at least 18 years old to get a marriage license.

• State-issued driver's license or ID card
• Certified birth certificate
• Valid passport
• Military ID card

Previously married? Bring a certified copy of your divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate. The court needs proof that the last marriage ended before it can issue a new license. You also need your Social Security number for the application. No blood test is needed. Georgia dropped that rule years ago.

There is no residency requirement. You don't have to live in Hancock County or even in Georgia. However, if neither applicant is a Georgia resident, the wedding ceremony must happen in the county where you got the license. Georgia residents can marry anywhere in the state regardless of which county issued the license.

Start the application online at georgiaprobaterecords.com before you go. Print it out and bring it along. This saves time at the office.

Hancock County Marriage License Fees

A marriage license in Hancock County costs $56. The reduced fee is $16 if you have completed a premarital education course. The course needs to be at least six hours and finished within 12 months of your application date. Bring the completion certificate with you.

Fees are non-refundable. Ask the court about accepted payment methods when you call. Some smaller Georgia courts only take cash or money orders. Extra certified copies of your marriage certificate cost around $10 each. Order a few copies at the same time to save yourself a second trip or mailing later.

The fee covers the license and one certified copy of the marriage certificate after the officiant returns the signed document. It does not include a ceremony. If you want a courthouse wedding, ask the probate judge about availability and any extra cost.

After the Wedding Ceremony

Your officiant signs the marriage license after the ceremony. The signed license must go back to the Hancock County Probate Court within 30 days. This is the law in Georgia. Mail it to: Hancock County Probate Court, P.O. Box 451, Sparta, GA 31087.

Once the court gets the signed license, they record the marriage and mail you a certified certificate. This usually takes a few weeks. If you need your certificate sooner, call the court at (706) 444-6644 to ask about processing times.

Keep your marriage certificate safe. You will need it for legal name changes, updating your driver's license, and notifying the Social Security Administration. Replacement copies are available from the court, but they take time and cost extra.

Hancock County Marriage Record Search

You can look up marriage records filed in Hancock County through the Georgia Probate Records search tool. This online database covers records from many Georgia counties. Search by name to find what you need.

The Georgia Department of Public Health also holds marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. Contact them through dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. For records outside that date range, the Hancock County Probate Court is the place to check. You can request copies by mail or in person at the courthouse in Sparta.

When requesting records by mail, include full names, the approximate date of the marriage, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Give the court two to three weeks to process your request.

Nearby Counties

Hancock County borders several other Georgia counties. You can apply for a marriage license in any Georgia county, so consider these neighbors if they are closer to you.