Schley County Marriage License Search
A marriage license in Schley County is obtained at the Probate Court in Ellaville. Schley County is a small, rural county in central Georgia. The courthouse in Ellaville is where all marriage license applications are processed. Both people who want to marry must appear in person with proper ID. The staff can guide you through the application, and most visits take less than an hour. There is no appointment needed, and the court works on a first-come, first-served basis during regular hours.
Schley County Marriage License Quick Facts
Schley County Probate Court Office
The Schley County Probate Court issues all marriage licenses for the county. Ellaville is the county seat and the location of the courthouse. The court also handles wills, estates, and other probate matters. Marriage license services are available during regular office hours.
Under Georgia state law, county probate courts are responsible for issuing marriage licenses. The rules are consistent across the state, though individual courts may have slight differences in how they accept payment or schedule visits.
| Office | Schley County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 352, Ellaville, GA 31806 |
| Phone | (229) 937-5581 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Schley County is one of the smaller counties in the state. That means the office usually is not crowded. You should still try to arrive well before closing time so the staff has enough time to complete the paperwork. If you plan to visit close to 5:00 PM, call ahead first.
What Is Required to Get a Marriage License
Both people who want to marry must go to the court together. No proxies are allowed. Each person must show a valid form of ID to prove who they are and that they meet the age requirement.
You can bring one of these:
- Valid driver's license or state-issued photo ID
- U.S. passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Military identification
If either person was married before, the court needs to see proof that the old marriage is over. A certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse will work. Without this, the court cannot issue a new license.
No blood test is needed. Georgia ended that requirement back in 2003. There is no waiting period either. You apply, get approved, and the license is in your hands the same day. The minimum age to marry in Georgia is 18. A person who is 17 may be eligible under strict conditions involving emancipation and premarital education. Nobody under 17 can get a license.
Georgia residents may apply in any county in the state. Non-residents must file in the county where the wedding ceremony will take place. If your ceremony is in Schley County and you live outside of Georgia, this is your filing location.
Marriage License Fees
A marriage license in Schley County costs $56. That is the standard Georgia fee. If both applicants complete an approved premarital education course, the fee drops to $16. The savings amount to $40.
Qualifying courses need to be at least six hours and completed within the year before you file. Both partners must attend together. Approved instructors include licensed counselors, social workers, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and clergy. The certificate of completion must be presented when you apply at the court.
Ask the court what payment they take. You can call (229) 937-5581 to check. Small county courts may only accept cash or money orders. Knowing this ahead of time avoids problems when you arrive.
After the Wedding
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage license. The signed document must be returned to the Schley County Probate Court within 30 days. Mail it to: Schley County Probate Court, P.O. Box 352, Ellaville, GA 31806.
The court will record the license and then mail you a marriage certificate. Plan for a few weeks of processing time. This certificate is the official proof of your marriage. Contact the court if your certificate has not arrived within about 45 days of returning the signed license.
Store your marriage certificate in a secure place. It is used for name changes, Social Security updates, insurance changes, and other legal processes. Extra certified copies are available through the Probate Court for a fee.
Search Schley County Marriage Records
You can fill out the marriage license application ahead of time through the Georgia Probate Records portal. Print it and bring it along to the Schley County Probate Court. This makes the in-person visit shorter.
Looking for an existing marriage record? Use the marriage record search tool on the Georgia Probate Records site. It covers many counties in the state and lets you look up records by name.
The Georgia Department of Public Health at dph.georgia.gov keeps marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. Records before or after that period are held at the county level. The state charges $10 for a search and $5 for each additional certified copy. Check with the Schley County court for their specific copy fees.
For older records or genealogy purposes, the Probate Court is the primary source. Some historical records may also be available through the Georgia Archives, but for most marriage-related needs, start with the county.
Nearby Counties
Schley County is in central Georgia. These neighboring counties also issue marriage licenses through their own probate courts.