Murray County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Murray County are issued at the Probate Court in Chatsworth. Both people planning to marry must visit the court together and bring valid photo ID. A standard license costs $56, and couples who have completed premarital education pay $16. Murray County is in northwest Georgia, near the Tennessee border. There is no blood test required and no waiting period. You can apply for the license and have the ceremony on the same day. The court processes applications during regular weekday hours.

Murray County Probate Court

The Murray County Probate Court in Chatsworth handles all marriage license applications. Chatsworth is the county seat. The office serves the whole county and the staff is familiar with the marriage license process. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours.

Chatsworth is about 30 miles south of the Tennessee state line and roughly 90 minutes north of Atlanta. The courthouse has free parking. Murray County draws visitors for its mountain scenery, and some couples choose to get married in this area. Call the court to make sure you have everything you need before driving in.

Requirements to Get a Marriage License

Both applicants must show up in person at the Murray County Probate Court. Nobody else can apply for you. Each person must bring valid photo identification. These forms of ID are accepted:

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

If either person was married before, a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse is required. The court checks this before issuing a new license. Both applicants must be 18 or older under OCGA 19-3-2. Georgia dropped its blood test requirement in 2003.

Any Georgia resident can apply in Murray County even if you live somewhere else. There is no local residency rule. Out-of-state couples must file in the county where the ceremony will take place.

Murray County Marriage License Fees

The license costs $56 without premarital education. With a certificate, it costs $16. The premarital course must be at least six hours long and taught by a licensed counselor, therapist, or clergy member. Finish the course within 12 months of your application.

Have the certificate on hand when you go to the Murray County Probate Court. Without it, you pay the full price. Call (706) 695-2412 to ask about what forms of payment the office takes. All fees are non-refundable once you pay them.

Georgia Marriage License Resources

The state provides marriage license information at georgia.gov. This applies to every Georgia county, Murray included.

For Murray County details, like office parking and payment methods, contact the Chatsworth probate court directly.

After the Wedding Ceremony

Your officiant signs the license after the ceremony. The signed license must be returned to the Murray County Probate Court within 30 days per OCGA 19-3-30. Mail it or drop it off.

Once the court records the license, they send your marriage certificate by mail. This takes up to 30 days. Call (706) 695-2412 if more than 45 days go by without receiving it.

Your marriage certificate is proof that you are legally married. Keep it somewhere secure. You will need it for name changes, updating Social Security records, insurance, and more. Request additional certified copies from the Murray County Probate Court if you need them.

Online Application and Record Search

Start the application at the Georgia Probate Records portal. Fill it out online, print it, and bring it to the Murray County courthouse. You still need to appear in person with ID and payment.

Search for existing marriage records at the marriage record search page. The state vital records office at dph.georgia.gov holds records from June 1952 through August 1996. For records from other years, contact the Murray County Probate Court.

Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Murray County

Georgia law is flexible about who can perform a wedding. Judges can do it. Ordained ministers, pastors, priests, and rabbis can too. OCGA 19-3-30 lists the types of people who qualify. Online ordinations are accepted in Georgia.

The officiant does not need to be from Murray County or even from Georgia. What matters is that they sign the marriage license after the ceremony and that it gets returned to the Chatsworth probate court on time. If you want the Murray County probate judge to officiate, call (706) 695-2412 to ask about availability and cost.

Nearby Counties

Murray County is in the mountains of northwest Georgia. These nearby counties also have probate courts that issue marriage licenses.