Search Rabun County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Rabun County are issued at the Probate Court in Clayton. Located in the northeast mountains of Georgia, Rabun County is a popular spot for destination weddings. The Probate Court handles all marriage license applications on a walk-in basis during regular business hours. Both applicants must appear together at the courthouse with valid identification and the proper fee. Staff at the court can answer questions about the process and help you fill out the application if needed.

Rabun County Probate Court Information

The Rabun County Probate Court in Clayton is the only office that issues marriage licenses in the county. Clayton is the county seat. The court processes applications during standard business hours. Given the area's popularity for outdoor weddings, the court may see more traffic during the warmer months.

For general questions about Georgia marriage license requirements, you can check the state's official page. For anything specific to Rabun County, call the Probate Court directly.

Call ahead if you are traveling from far away. This way you can confirm the court is open and that the staff member who handles marriage licenses will be there. Small county offices sometimes have limited staff coverage on certain days.

Requirements for a Rabun County Marriage License

Both people must visit the Rabun County Probate Court together. You cannot send someone else to apply for you. Each person needs a valid form of photo identification.

The court accepts these forms of ID:

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

Were you married before? Bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or death certificate. Georgia law says you must prove the prior marriage has ended before a new license can be issued. This applies to both people in the couple.

There is no waiting period in Georgia. Once the Probate Court approves your application, you receive the license right away. There is also no blood test. Georgia stopped requiring blood tests in 2003. The minimum age is 18. A 17-year-old may be able to get a license under very specific conditions that include emancipation and premarital education, but no one under 17 can marry in the state.

If at least one of you lives in Georgia, you can get a marriage license in any county. But if neither person is a Georgia resident, the license must come from the county where the ceremony will happen. So if your wedding is in Rabun County and both of you live out of state, this is where you need to apply.

Marriage License Fees in Rabun County

The fee for a marriage license in Rabun County is $56. This is the standard rate across most of Georgia. If you and your partner complete a qualifying premarital education program, the fee drops to $16. That is a savings of $40.

The premarital education course must be at least six hours long. It needs to be completed within 12 months of the date you apply for the license. Both people must take the course together. Acceptable instructors include licensed counselors, social workers, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, or active clergy members. Bring the certificate of completion to the Probate Court when you apply.

Confirm payment methods before you go. Call (706) 782-3615 to ask what forms of payment the Rabun County Probate Court accepts. Some counties accept credit cards while others may only take cash or money orders.

After Your Wedding in Rabun County

Your officiant signs the marriage license after the ceremony. This is a legal requirement. The signed license must then be returned to the Rabun County Probate Court within 30 days. You can mail it to: Rabun County Probate Court, P.O. Box 66, Clayton, GA 30525.

The court records the license and mails your official marriage certificate. This process takes a few weeks. If more than 30 days pass after you sent it in and you still have not received the certificate, call the court to follow up.

Your marriage certificate is important. Keep it safe. You will need it for name changes on identification documents, updating your Social Security information, or adding a spouse to insurance policies. If you lose it or need more copies, reach out to the Probate Court for certified duplicates.

Rabun County Marriage Records Online

Start the application process from home using the Georgia Probate Records online portal. Fill in the form, print it, and bring it to the courthouse. This saves time at the counter.

If you want to search for an existing Rabun County marriage record, use the marriage records search page. The database lets you look up records by name for many Georgia counties.

The Georgia Department of Public Health at dph.georgia.gov has marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. Records outside that range are only available from the Rabun County Probate Court. Certified copies from the state cost $10 for the search fee plus $5 for each extra copy. County fees may be different, so check with the court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border or sit near Rabun County. You can apply for a Georgia marriage license in any county if at least one of you is a state resident.