Telfair County Marriage License

Marriage licenses for Telfair County come from the Probate Court in McRae-Helena. This is the only office in the county that can issue a marriage license. Both people must go to the courthouse together and bring valid photo ID. The cost is $56 for a standard license. Couples who complete a qualifying premarital education program pay $16 instead. Georgia has no waiting period and no blood test requirement, so you can get the license and have your wedding the same day if that is your plan.

Telfair County Probate Court Details

Head to the Telfair County Probate Court in McRae-Helena to apply for your marriage license. The office is open Monday through Friday. Walk-ins are usually fine, but a phone call to confirm never hurts. The staff at this courthouse can walk you through the whole process.

For a general rundown of the process, the Georgia state marriage license page has the basics covered.

State rules are the same in every county, so this page applies to Telfair County too.

McRae-Helena is a consolidated city that serves as the county seat of Telfair County. The courthouse is in the center of town and easy to find. Bring everything you need so you can finish in one trip.

Requirements to Get a License

You and your partner must both show up at the probate court. Nobody else can apply for you. Each person must present a valid form of photo identification. Without proper ID, the court cannot process your application.

Forms of ID that work:

• State-issued driver's license or ID
• Valid passport
• Certified birth certificate (original or certified copy)
• Military identification

Anyone who has been married before needs to bring documentation proving the prior marriage ended. A certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate will do. The court checks this before moving forward.

Both applicants must be 18 or older. No blood test is required. There is no residency requirement for Georgia residents. If neither person lives in Georgia, you can only apply in the county where the wedding will happen. These rules are standard across all 159 Georgia counties.

License Fees and Payment

A marriage license in Telfair County costs $56. The reduced rate is $16 if you bring proof of a premarital education course. That course needs to be at least six hours long and completed within 12 months of applying. Have the certificate ready when you visit.

You pay the full amount when you apply. The fee is not refundable, even if you decide not to use the license. Call (229) 868-6525 to find out what payment methods the court accepts. Some small county offices are cash or check only.

Extra certified copies of the marriage certificate are available from the probate court. Each copy costs a small fee. It is a good idea to get a couple of extra copies when you can, since you will likely need them for name changes and other paperwork.

What Happens After the Ceremony

After your wedding, the officiant signs the marriage license. This step is required. The signed license then goes back to the Telfair County Probate Court. You have 30 days to return it. Mail it or hand-deliver it.

The court records the license and creates your marriage certificate. This is the official legal document showing you are married. Expect to receive it in the mail within a few weeks. If you have not gotten it after 45 days, call the court.

The marriage certificate is what you use for everything: changing your name, updating Social Security records, adding your spouse to health insurance, and more. Keep it somewhere safe and accessible. Losing it means paying for a replacement and waiting for it to be processed.

Marriage Record Lookup

Search for Telfair County marriage records on the Georgia Probate Records website. The search is free. Enter a name or date range to find records on file.

You can fill out your marriage license application ahead of time using the online application portal. Print it and bring it to the McRae-Helena courthouse to save time.

For state-level marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996, contact the Georgia Department of Public Health. Records outside that range are kept by the Telfair County Probate Court.

Nearby Counties

Any Georgia county probate court can issue your marriage license. These counties are close to Telfair County.