Search Jefferson County Marriage License

Marriage license applications in Jefferson County are handled by the Probate Court in Louisville. Louisville is the county seat and was once the capital of Georgia. The Probate Court issues all marriage licenses for Jefferson County residents and visitors alike. Both applicants must come to the office together. Valid photo identification is required from each person. The court processes applications during regular business hours, and no appointment is needed. The process is simple and typically done in one visit. Bring your ID, your fee, and any extra documents the court may need.

Jefferson County Probate Court

The Probate Court in Louisville handles all marriage license applications for Jefferson County. The office manages a range of court functions, including estates, guardianships, and firearms permits. The marriage license process is one of the more straightforward services they offer.

Georgia provides a statewide overview of the marriage license process on the georgia.gov website.

That page gives a good summary of what is required in any Georgia county.

Call before you visit if you are coming from out of the area. The office may close for scheduled court events. Staff can confirm hours and answer any last-minute questions you may have.

Requirements for a Jefferson County Marriage License

Both people need to show up at the Probate Court. Each must have a valid photo ID. The minimum age is 18 years old.

• State driver's license or photo ID
• Certified copy of birth certificate
• Valid U.S. passport
• Military ID card

If a previous marriage existed, bring certified proof that it ended. This means a divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate. The court cannot issue a new license without seeing that documentation. Your Social Security number is required on the application, though the card itself is not needed.

Georgia has not required blood tests since 2003. There is no waiting period after you receive the license. You can marry the very same day. Georgia residents can apply in any county. If neither person lives in Georgia, the ceremony must happen in Jefferson County.

Start the application online at georgiaprobaterecords.com. Print the completed form and bring it to the courthouse for a faster process.

Jefferson County Marriage License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Jefferson County is $56. Couples who completed a premarital education course pay $16. The course must be at least six hours and done within 12 months of the application. Bring the certificate as proof.

Fees cannot be refunded. Ask about payment methods when you call the court. Smaller county offices may have limited options. The fee covers the license and one certified copy of the marriage certificate, which arrives by mail after the signed license is recorded.

Additional copies cost about $10 each. You will want extra copies for things like name changes, updating Social Security, and notifying your bank. Order them when you apply to avoid a second trip.

After the Wedding Ceremony

The officiant signs the license once the ceremony is done. Return the signed license to the Jefferson County Probate Court within 30 days. This is a legal requirement in Georgia.

Mail it to: Jefferson County Probate Court, P.O. Box 824, Louisville, GA 30434. In-person returns are also fine. The court records the marriage and mails your certified certificate. This takes roughly two to four weeks after they receive the signed document.

If 45 days pass without your certificate arriving, call (478) 625-7922. The staff can look into the matter. Keep your marriage certificate somewhere secure. You will need it for many official changes and updates after the wedding.

Jefferson County Marriage Record Search

Search for Jefferson County marriage records online at the Georgia Probate Records portal. The database covers many Georgia counties and supports name-based searches.

State-level records from June 1952 through August 1996 are stored at the Georgia Department of Public Health. For records outside those years, contact the Jefferson County Probate Court. They have local files going back for many decades.

You can request certified copies in person at the courthouse or by mail. Include the names of both parties, approximate date, and payment. Processing usually takes a few weeks.

Nearby Counties

Jefferson County shares borders with several counties in east-central Georgia. You are free to apply for a marriage license at any Georgia probate court.