Irwin County Marriage License Search

Marriage license applications in Irwin County are processed at the Probate Court in Ocilla. The court is the sole issuing authority for marriage licenses in this county. Irwin County is a small, rural county in south-central Georgia. Both people must come to the courthouse together to file. The process is simple, and the office staff can help with any questions. Bring a valid ID and the fee. Walk-ins are welcome. The license is usually ready the same day. Call the court if you need to check hours before driving out.

Irwin County Probate Court

All marriage licenses in Irwin County come from the Probate Court in Ocilla. The courthouse is small, and the staff is friendly. They deal with marriage licenses along with wills, estates, and other probate matters. Wait times are usually short.

For background on Georgia's marriage license process, the georgia.gov marriage license page is a useful starting point.

The state page spells out the general rules that apply in every Georgia county.

Call ahead if you are making a long drive. Rural courts sometimes close for unexpected reasons, and a quick phone call can confirm the office will be open when you get there.

Requirements for an Irwin County Marriage License

Both people must appear at the Probate Court at the same time. Each applicant needs a valid photo ID. You must be at least 18 years old.

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

Anyone who was married before needs a certified copy of the divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate from the prior spouse. Without that proof, the court cannot move forward. Your Social Security number is needed on the application. The card itself is not required.

Georgia has not required blood tests since 2003. There is no waiting period after getting the license. You can have the ceremony the same day if you like. No residency requirement applies to Georgia residents. If neither applicant lives in Georgia, the wedding must take place in Irwin County.

The online application at georgiaprobaterecords.com lets you get a head start. Fill it out at home, print it, and bring it to the courthouse. This makes the in-person portion faster.

Irwin County Marriage License Fees

A marriage license in Irwin County costs $56. The discounted rate is $16 for couples who bring a premarital education certificate. The program must be at least six hours and completed within 12 months before your application date.

Fees are non-refundable once the application is processed. Check with the court about which payment methods are accepted. Smaller courts may have limits on card payments. The fee includes one certified copy of the marriage certificate mailed to you after the license is recorded.

Additional certified copies are about $10 each. You might need extra copies for updating your driver's license, changing your name with the Social Security Administration, or notifying your employer. It is easier to order extras at the same time than to come back later.

After the Wedding Ceremony

The officiant must sign the license after the ceremony. Then the signed document needs to go back to the Irwin County Probate Court within 30 days. This is required by state law.

Mail it to: Irwin County Probate Court, P.O. Box 428, Ocilla, GA 31774. You may also hand-deliver it. After the court records the marriage, they will mail your certified marriage certificate. Expect to wait about two to four weeks for it to arrive.

If you still do not have your certificate after 45 days, call the court at (229) 468-3666. They can look into it and make sure your marriage was properly recorded. Keep your certificate in a safe spot. Replacing it costs money and takes time.

Irwin County Marriage Record Search

Search Irwin County marriage records through the Georgia Probate Records search tool. The database includes records from many Georgia counties and can be searched by name.

The Georgia Department of Public Health stores marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. Go to dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords for more information. Anything outside those dates is held at the Irwin County Probate Court in Ocilla.

You can request certified copies by mail. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of marriage, and a check or money order. In-person requests are handled at the courthouse during normal business hours. Give the court a few weeks to process your request.

Nearby Counties

Irwin County is surrounded by several south Georgia counties. You can apply for a marriage license in any of them since Georgia has no residency restriction for in-state applicants.