Stewart County Marriage License Lookup

A marriage license in Stewart County is obtained from the Probate Court in Lumpkin. Stewart County is a small, rural county in western Georgia. The Probate Court in Lumpkin is the single location where couples can file their marriage license application. Both applicants must be there in person with valid photo ID. The office handles applications during regular business hours, and the staff can assist with any questions about the process. The whole visit usually takes well under an hour.

Stewart County Probate Court Office

The Stewart County Probate Court is in Lumpkin, the county seat. It is the only place in the county to get a marriage license. Stewart County is one of the least populated counties in Georgia. The court also manages estates, guardianships, and other probate-related matters. Marriages make up a small part of the overall workload, which usually means short wait times.

All Georgia marriage licenses come through county probate courts. The state requirements are the same in every county. Stewart County follows these rules without exception.

The court is closed on state holidays and weekends. Because this is a small office, it helps to call ahead and confirm that someone will be available to handle your application. Small counties sometimes have limited staffing on certain days.

What Is Needed for the Marriage License

Both people who plan to marry must appear at the Stewart County Probate Court. No one can file in your place. Each person brings a valid form of photo identification.

Forms of ID the court accepts:

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

If you have been married before, bring proof that the marriage ended. A certified copy of the final divorce decree or the death certificate of a former spouse is what the court needs to see. Without that proof, no new license will be issued.

Georgia has no waiting period and no blood test requirement. Blood tests have not been needed since 2003. You apply and receive the license the same day. You need to be at least 18 years old. A 17-year-old might qualify under strict conditions involving emancipation and premarital education. No one under 17 can get a marriage license anywhere in Georgia.

If one or both of you live in Georgia, you can apply at any county probate court. If neither person is a Georgia resident, you must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. For weddings in Stewart County, this is the correct courthouse.

Stewart County License Fees

A marriage license in Stewart County costs $56. This is the standard Georgia fee. If both applicants have completed a qualifying premarital education course, the fee is reduced to $16.

The premarital education must be at least six hours and completed within the year before you apply. Both people need to attend together. Acceptable instructors include licensed counselors, therapists, social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, and active clergy members. The certificate of completion must be presented when you file your application.

To check payment options, call (229) 838-1310. Smaller courts may not accept all forms of payment. Having cash or a money order as a backup is a good idea. Once paid, the fee is not refundable.

Returning the License After the Wedding

The officiant signs the marriage license after the ceremony. The signed license must be returned to the Stewart County Probate Court within 30 days. Mail it to: Stewart County Probate Court, P.O. Box 910, Lumpkin, GA 31815. Or bring it in person.

Once the court records the license, they mail you a certified marriage certificate. It takes a few weeks. If you have not received the certificate within 45 days or so, call the court to ask about the status.

The marriage certificate is your legal record. Store it in a safe place. It is used for name changes, Social Security card updates, insurance adjustments, and other official matters. Need more copies? The Probate Court can issue certified duplicates.

Stewart County Marriage Records Online

You can fill out the marriage license application before your visit through the Georgia Probate Records website. Complete it online, print it out, and take it to the Stewart County courthouse. This makes the office visit faster.

To search for existing marriage records, use the marriage search tool on the Georgia Probate Records site. The database covers records from many Georgia counties and allows name-based searches.

The Georgia Department of Public Health at dph.georgia.gov holds marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. Records outside that window are only at the county level. The state charges $10 for a search fee and $5 for each additional copy.

For older records or family history research, contact the Stewart County Probate Court. They have local records from before 1952 and after 1996. Some historical records may also be found at the Georgia Archives, but the county court is the most direct source for local marriage data.

Nearby Counties

Stewart County is in western Georgia. These neighboring counties each have their own probate court that issues marriage licenses.