Find Randolph County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Randolph County are issued by the Probate Court in Cuthbert. Cuthbert is the county seat and the location of the courthouse where couples apply. The process follows Georgia state law and is straightforward. Both applicants must show up together at the Probate Court with valid photo identification and the required fee. There is no waiting period, so you can get your license and use it right away. Staff at the court can walk you through the steps and help with any forms.

Randolph County Probate Court Details

The Randolph County Probate Court is the sole office in the county that issues marriage licenses. It sits in Cuthbert, which is a small city in southwest Georgia. The court serves the entire county for probate matters including marriage licenses, estates, and guardianships.

Georgia law says that marriage licenses come from county probate courts. Each county follows the same core rules, though some procedures and payment methods can vary. Call the Randolph County office if you need specific details about their process.

The office closes on weekends and state holidays. Plan your visit during regular business hours. If you are driving from out of the area, a quick phone call beforehand can save you a wasted trip.

Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must appear at the Randolph County Probate Court in person. Nobody else can file on your behalf. Bring valid photo ID so the court can verify your identity and age.

Forms of ID accepted at most Georgia probate courts:

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

Previously married? You need a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. Georgia will not issue a new marriage license until the old marriage is legally dissolved. This rule has no exceptions.

Georgia does not require a blood test. That requirement was removed in 2003. There is also no waiting period. The license is issued on the spot once the application is approved. You need to be at least 18. A 17-year-old might qualify if they have been legally emancipated and meet other conditions, but no one under 17 is eligible for a marriage license under Georgia law.

Residency matters too. If one or both of you live in Georgia, you can apply at any county probate court in the state. If neither person is a Georgia resident, you must apply in the county where the wedding ceremony will take place.

Randolph County Marriage License Fees

The standard marriage license fee in Randolph County is $56. If you and your partner have completed an approved premarital education program, the fee is reduced to $16. That is a significant savings.

To qualify for the lower fee, your premarital education course must be at least six hours long and completed within the 12 months before you apply. Both people must attend together. The course must be led by a licensed professional counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or active clergy member.

Bring the certificate of completion to the court. Without it, you pay the full $56. Contact the court at (229) 732-3520 to check which payment methods are accepted. Some smaller county offices accept cash or money orders only, while others take credit or debit cards.

Returning the License After the Ceremony

After your wedding, the officiant must sign the marriage license. This is not optional. The signed license then needs to be sent back to the Randolph County Probate Court within 30 days. You can return it in person or by mail to: Randolph County Probate Court, P.O. Box 98, Cuthbert, GA 39840.

The court records the completed license and sends you a certified marriage certificate by mail. Processing can take several weeks. If you have not received your certificate within 30 to 45 days of returning the license, contact the court to ask about the status.

Your marriage certificate serves as legal proof of the marriage. You will need it for name changes, updating government-issued IDs, changing insurance information, and other official matters. Store it somewhere secure. You can order additional certified copies from the Probate Court if needed.

Online Marriage Records Search

Start the marriage license application from your computer using the Georgia Probate Records website. Complete the form online, print it out, and take it to the Randolph County Probate Court. This speeds up the in-person visit.

You can also search for existing marriage records in Randolph County through the marriage search tool on the same portal. The database covers records from many Georgia counties.

The state vital records office at dph.georgia.gov holds marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. Records outside that range must be requested from the county Probate Court. The state charges a $10 search fee (non-refundable) and $5 for each additional copy. County fees for copies may be different.

If you are doing genealogy research or looking for older records, the Randolph County Probate Court is your best bet for records before 1952 and after 1996. Call ahead to check availability and any fees for historical record searches.

Nearby Counties

Randolph County is in southwest Georgia. Here are the counties that border it. Georgia residents can get a marriage license from any county probate court in the state.