Towns County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Towns County are issued at the Probate Court in Hiawassee. Towns County is in the northeast corner of Georgia, tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains near the North Carolina border. The probate court handles all marriage license applications for the county. Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo identification. The standard fee is $56, and couples who complete a premarital education course pay $16. Georgia has no waiting period and no blood test requirement, so your license is ready to use right away.

Towns County Probate Court

Head to the Towns County Probate Court in Hiawassee to apply for your marriage license. The office is small and typically not crowded, which means less wait time for you. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. Towns County is a popular destination for mountain weddings, so the staff is used to helping couples from both in and out of state.

The Georgia state marriage license page provides an overview of the process that applies in every county.

State rules are the same across all 159 Georgia counties.

Hiawassee is a small town, and the courthouse is easy to locate. If you are coming from out of town for a destination wedding, plan to arrive during weekday hours. The office is closed weekends and state holidays.

Requirements for a License

Both people must go to the probate court together. This is not optional. Each applicant brings a valid photo ID. The court will confirm your identity before it starts the application.

Valid ID includes:

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

If either person was married before, bring documentation that the prior marriage has ended. A certified copy of a divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate is what the court will ask for. Georgia has not required a blood test since 2003.

There is no residency requirement for Georgia residents. Out-of-state couples can apply in Towns County if the wedding will happen here. Both people must be at least 18 years old to get a license.

License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Towns County is $56. Couples who present a premarital education certificate pay $16. The program needs to be at least six hours and completed in the 12 months before applying. Have the certificate on hand when you visit.

All fees are non-refundable. Payment is due at the time of application. Call the court at (706) 896-2130 to find out what methods of payment are accepted. Cash is always safe. Not all small county offices take cards.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate can be requested from the Towns County Probate Court for a per-copy fee. It is wise to get a few extras for your records.

After the Wedding

The officiant signs the marriage license after the ceremony. This step completes the legal side of things. Return the signed license to the Towns County Probate Court within 30 days. Mail it or bring it in person.

The court processes the license and mails you a certified marriage certificate. This is the official document that proves you are married. Processing takes a few weeks on average. If you have not gotten your certificate after 45 days, call the court.

Use the certificate for name changes, insurance, tax filing, and any other legal purpose that needs proof of marriage. Keep it in a safe location. Getting a replacement copy is possible but takes time.

Search Marriage Records

Find Towns County marriage records using the Georgia Probate Records search tool. It is a free search by name.

You can also fill out your marriage application online through the Georgia Probate Records application portal. Print it and bring it to the Hiawassee office to speed things up.

State-level marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996 are held by the Georgia Department of Public Health. For other dates, the Towns County Probate Court is the place to ask.

Nearby Counties

Any Georgia county probate court can issue a marriage license. Here are the counties close to Towns County.