Find Stephens County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Stephens County are issued at the Probate Court in Toccoa. Toccoa is the county seat and the center of local government for Stephens County, located in the northeast corner of Georgia near the South Carolina border. The Probate Court processes marriage license applications during regular business hours. Both people who intend to marry must come to the courthouse together and bring valid photo ID along with the license fee. No appointment is needed for most applicants.

Stephens County Probate Court

The Stephens County Probate Court is the sole office that issues marriage licenses in the county. It is located in Toccoa. Along with marriage licenses, the court handles estates, wills, guardianships, and vital records. The staff can help you understand the process and fill out the required forms.

Georgia's marriage license process is managed at the county level. While the rules come from state law, the Probate Court in each county handles the actual application and issuance. Stephens County follows all standard Georgia requirements.

Note that the Stephens County Probate Court closes at 4:30 PM, which is earlier than many other Georgia county courts. Plan your visit with that in mind. If you are driving from out of the area, a quick call to the office can confirm hours and availability before you make the trip.

Marriage License Requirements in Stephens County

Both people applying for the license must appear in person at the Probate Court. No one can submit the application for you. Each person needs to bring valid photo identification to verify their identity and age.

Accepted ID types include:

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

If you have been married before, bring a certified copy of your final divorce decree or the death certificate of your former spouse. Georgia law requires proof that any previous marriage has been legally ended. Both applicants must meet this requirement if applicable.

There is no waiting period. You get the license the same day you apply. No blood test is needed. Georgia removed that rule in 2003. The minimum age to marry is 18. A 17-year-old may be able to get a license in rare cases involving emancipation and premarital education, but no one under 17 is allowed.

Georgia residents can apply at any county in the state. If neither person is a Georgia resident, you have to apply in the county where the wedding will be held. For a ceremony in Stephens County, file at the Toccoa courthouse.

Stephens County Marriage License Fees

The standard marriage license fee in Stephens County is $56. Couples who have completed a qualifying premarital education course pay $16 instead. The course must be at least six hours and done within 12 months of your application.

Both people need to take the course together. It must be taught by a licensed counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or active clergy member. Bring the certificate of completion with you. Without it, you pay $56.

Call (706) 886-2828 to check what payment methods the court accepts. Knowing this ahead of time avoids delays. The fee is non-refundable once paid.

What to Do After the Wedding

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage license. This is required. Then the signed license must be returned to the Stephens County Probate Court within 30 days of the ceremony date. You can return it in person or mail it to: Stephens County Probate Court, P.O. Box 38, Toccoa, GA 30577.

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

Keep your marriage certificate in a safe place. It is the legal proof of your marriage. You need it for name changes, ID updates, insurance changes, and similar purposes. Additional certified copies are available from the Stephens County Probate Court. The court also holds marriage records for the county. Records from before 1952 and after 1996 are at the Probate Court, while records from June 1952 to August 1996 are at the state level.

Stephens County Marriage Records Online

Start the application before your visit by using the Georgia Probate Records online application. Fill it out at home, print the form, and take it to the courthouse. This can speed up the in-person process.

To look up existing Stephens County marriage records, use the marriage records search. You can search by name across many Georgia counties.

The Georgia Department of Public Health at dph.georgia.gov holds marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. For records outside that period, the Stephens County Probate Court is the source. The state office charges $10 for a search and $5 for each extra copy.

Genealogy researchers should contact the Probate Court for older record requests. Some records may also be available through the Georgia Archives. However, the county court is the most direct source for local marriage history.

Nearby Counties

Stephens County is in the northeast corner of Georgia. These nearby counties also have probate courts that issue marriage licenses.