Access Screven County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Screven County are issued by the Probate Court located in Sylvania. Sylvania is the county seat and home to the courthouse where couples file their applications. The process is simple and follows Georgia state guidelines. Both applicants need to come to the courthouse together with valid ID and the correct fee. Walk-ins are accepted during normal business hours. The court staff is available to help answer questions and guide you through each step of the application process.

Screven County Probate Court

The Screven County Probate Court handles all marriage license applications for the county. The office is in Sylvania, the county seat. Screven County sits in the eastern part of the state, not far from the South Carolina border. The Probate Court also deals with wills, estates, and guardianships, but marriage licenses are one of its most common services.

The Georgia state government website has general information about how marriage licenses work across the state. For questions about how things work in Screven County specifically, contact the Probate Court.

The office is open during normal business hours. Plan to arrive early enough so the staff has time to process your application before closing. A call before your trip can help you avoid any issues, especially if you live far from Sylvania.

Requirements for Getting a Marriage License

Both applicants must come to the court together. There is no way around this. Each person needs to present a valid photo ID. The court uses the ID to verify your name, date of birth, and identity.

Valid identification includes:

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

Anyone who was previously married must bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate of the former spouse. The court has to see proof that the earlier marriage was legally ended before it can issue a new license. This applies to both people in the couple.

Georgia has no waiting period. Your license is ready the same day you apply. No blood test is needed either. The state dropped that requirement in 2003. You must be at least 18 to get married in Georgia. A 17-year-old may apply under certain conditions related to emancipation and premarital counseling, but nobody under 17 is eligible.

Residency is another factor. If at least one person in the couple is a Georgia resident, you can apply at any county probate court in the state. If both people live outside Georgia, you must apply in the county where the wedding will take place. For a ceremony in Screven County, file at the Sylvania courthouse.

Screven County Marriage License Fees

A standard marriage license costs $56 in Screven County. Couples who have completed a qualifying premarital education program pay a reduced fee of $16. The program must be at least six hours and completed within 12 months of your application date.

Both people need to attend the course together. The instructor must be a licensed professional counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or active clergy member. You need the certificate of completion at the time of your application to get the lower price.

Check with the court about payment options. Call (912) 564-2122 and ask what forms of payment they take. It saves time to know this ahead of your visit. The fee is non-refundable once paid.

What Happens After the Wedding

The officiant who performs your ceremony must sign the marriage license. Then the completed license needs to be returned to the Screven County Probate Court within 30 days. Mail it to: Screven County Probate Court, P.O. Box 230, Sylvania, GA 30467.

Once the court receives and records the signed license, they will mail your official marriage certificate to you. The certificate typically arrives within a few weeks. If more than 45 days have gone by and it has not arrived, call the court to check on the status.

The marriage certificate is your legal proof that the marriage happened. Use it for name changes, updating your Social Security card, modifying insurance plans, and other official purposes. Keep it in a safe spot. Order extra certified copies from the Probate Court if you need them for multiple agencies at the same time.

Finding Marriage Records Online

You can begin the application process online through the Georgia Probate Records portal. Fill out the form from home, print it, and bring it along to the Screven County Probate Court. This can make your visit quicker.

To look up existing marriage records in Screven County, the marriage record search tool is a good place to start. You can search by name to find records from the county.

The state maintains marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996 at the Georgia Department of Public Health. Visit dph.georgia.gov for information on requesting copies. A $10 search fee applies, and extra copies cost $5 each. For records outside that date range, you will need to go through the Screven County Probate Court.

Historical records and older marriage documents are held at the county level. The Probate Court can help with genealogy research and older record requests. Fees for these services may vary, so call the office for details.

Nearby Counties

Screven County is in eastern Georgia. These surrounding counties also issue marriage licenses through their probate courts.