Search Spalding County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Spalding County come from the Probate Court in Griffin. Griffin is the county seat and the only location in the county where you can apply. Spalding County is south of Atlanta and has a steady volume of marriage license applications each year. Both people need to be present at the courthouse. Bring valid ID and the required fee, and the court staff will take care of the rest. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours, and no appointment is needed for most applicants.

Spalding County Probate Court

The Spalding County Probate Court in Griffin is where you go for a marriage license. The office is in the county courthouse and handles a range of services including marriage licenses, estates, and guardianships. Griffin is about 40 miles south of Atlanta, making the Spalding County court a realistic option for couples in the south metro area.

Georgia marriage licenses are issued through county probate courts. The rules are set at the state level, so the core process is the same everywhere. But each court may differ in payment options and how they schedule appointments.

The court is closed on weekends and state holidays. Try to arrive well before closing. Processing takes some time, and staff may not be able to start a new application too close to 5:00 PM. If you have questions about forms or documents, call ahead at (770) 467-4720.

Requirements to Apply in Spalding County

Both applicants must come to the Spalding County Probate Court together. You cannot send someone else in your place. Each person needs valid photo identification.

Acceptable ID includes:

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

If either person has been married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse. Georgia law requires that any prior marriage be legally ended before a new license can be issued.

There is no waiting period in Georgia. The license is issued on the same day you apply. No blood test is required. The state eliminated that in 2003. You must be at least 18 years old. There is a narrow path for 17-year-olds who can show proof of emancipation and premarital education, but no license is issued to anyone under 17.

Georgia residents can apply in any county. If neither applicant is a Georgia resident, the license must come from the county where the ceremony will take place. If your wedding is in Spalding County and you live outside Georgia, this is where you file.

Applications are taken under oath. Each person must swear that there is no legal reason they cannot marry. This is standard across the state and is done at the time of the application.

Spalding County License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Spalding County is $56 without premarital counseling. With a qualifying premarital education certificate, the cost goes down to $16. That is a $40 reduction.

The education program must be at least six hours long and done within 12 months of your application. Both people take the course together. It has to be led by a licensed counselor, social worker, therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or clergy member. Bring the certificate when you apply.

Call (770) 467-4720 to ask about accepted payment methods. Some Georgia courts accept credit and debit cards, while others may only take cash or money orders. Knowing before you go prevents problems at the counter. The fee is not refundable once it is paid.

After the Wedding Ceremony

Your officiant signs the marriage license after the ceremony. This is a legal step that must happen. The completed, signed license needs to go back to the Spalding County Probate Court within 30 days. Mail it to: Spalding County Probate Court, P.O. Box 1044, Griffin, GA 30224.

The court then records the license and mails your marriage certificate. This takes a few weeks to process. If you have not received the certificate after about 45 days, call the Probate Court to check on the status.

Your marriage certificate is the official record. Keep it safe. You will need it for name changes, Social Security updates, insurance changes, and other legal and financial tasks. If you need more copies, the Spalding County Probate Court can issue certified duplicates for a fee.

Looking Up Marriage Records Online

Start your application online through the Georgia Probate Records portal. Fill it out, print it, and bring it to the Spalding County courthouse. This saves time during your visit.

Search for existing marriage records in Spalding County using the marriage search tool. It allows you to look up records by name across many Georgia counties.

The state office at dph.georgia.gov has records from June 1952 through August 1996. For records before or after that range, you need to contact the Spalding County Probate Court. The state charges $10 for a search fee and $5 per extra copy. County fees may differ slightly.

For genealogy research or older records, the Probate Court is the best starting point. They maintain local marriage records and can help with historical inquiries. Give them a call to ask about specific records and any fees involved.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Spalding County in central Georgia. All of them issue marriage licenses through their probate courts.