Access Tift County Marriage License
Marriage licenses for Tift County are issued by the Probate Court in Tifton, the county seat. Tifton is located in south-central Georgia and the probate court serves the entire county. Both people must appear at the courthouse to apply. Bring valid photo ID and the license fee. The standard cost is $56, though couples who complete a premarital education course pay just $16. Georgia does not require a blood test or impose a waiting period. Your license is good to use as soon as it is issued.
Tift County Marriage License Quick Facts
Tift County Probate Court
The Tift County Probate Court in Tifton processes all marriage license applications for the county. The office is open on weekdays and can handle your application during normal business hours. Tifton is the hub of Tift County and easily reached from Interstate 75.
Check out the Georgia state marriage license page for general information on how the process works across all counties.
The guidelines on the state site apply to Tift County and every other county in Georgia.
| Office | Tift County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 354, Tifton, GA 31793 |
| Phone | (229) 386-7810 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Parking is available near the courthouse. Bring all your paperwork and ID so you can get everything done in a single visit. The process usually takes 20 to 30 minutes at the counter.
Requirements for Applying
Both people must appear in person at the Tift County Probate Court. You cannot have someone else apply for you. Each applicant needs to show valid photo identification.
The court accepts these IDs:
- Georgia driver's license or state ID
- Valid U.S. passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Military ID card
Previously married individuals need documentation showing how the marriage ended. Bring a certified copy of your final divorce decree, annulment order, or your former spouse's death certificate. This is required by Georgia law.
Both people must be at least 18. Georgia residents can apply at any county probate court in the state. Non-residents can only get a license in the county where the ceremony will be. No blood test is needed. The state ended that requirement in 2003.
Tift County License Fees
The standard license fee in Tift County is $56. If you and your partner finished a premarital education course (at least six hours, within the last 12 months), you pay $16. Bring the certificate with you when you apply to get the lower rate.
You pay when you submit the application. The fee cannot be refunded. Contact the Tift County Probate Court at (229) 386-7810 to confirm payment methods. Most Georgia probate courts accept cash and checks. Some accept cards as well.
Certified copies of your marriage certificate are available for a per-copy fee from the probate court. Getting extra copies early is smart because you will need them for various legal and administrative updates after the wedding.
After the Wedding
Your officiant signs the marriage license after the ceremony. Then the signed license needs to be returned to the Tift County Probate Court within 30 days. You can mail it or drop it off at the courthouse.
The court records the license and sends you a certified marriage certificate by mail. This usually takes a few weeks. The certificate is your official proof of marriage. If you have not received it within 45 days, contact the court to follow up.
Hold onto the certificate. You will need it for changing your name, updating your Social Security card, adding a spouse to insurance, and filing taxes jointly. Extra copies can be ordered from the Tift County Probate Court at any time.
Search Tift County Marriage Records
Look up Tift County marriage records online at the Georgia Probate Records search portal. The search is free. Enter a name to find matching records.
You can also start your application before visiting the court. Use the online marriage application to fill out the form, print it, and bring it with you to Tifton.
State-level marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996 are available from the Georgia Department of Public Health vital records office. For records outside that timeframe, contact the Tift County Probate Court.
Nearby Counties
Georgia residents can apply for a license at any county probate court. These counties are near Tift County.