Find Walker County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Walker County are issued by the Probate Court in LaFayette, the county seat. Walker County is in the far northwest corner of Georgia, near the Tennessee and Alabama state lines. Both applicants must come to the courthouse together with photo ID to apply. The standard fee is $56, or $16 with a premarital education certificate. Georgia does not have a waiting period or blood test requirement, which means you can use the license the day you get it. The probate court staff processes applications Monday through Friday.
Walker County Marriage License Quick Facts
Walker County Probate Court
The Walker County Probate Court in LaFayette is where you go for a marriage license. LaFayette is a small city in the northwest Georgia mountains. The court is open on weekdays and handles walk-in applications during business hours. Because of its location near two state lines, the court sometimes sees couples from Tennessee and Alabama as well.
For a statewide overview, visit the Georgia marriage license information page.
The state rules shown on that page apply across all 159 Georgia counties.
| Office | Walker County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 1125, LaFayette, GA 30728 |
| Phone | (706) 638-1742 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Parking is available near the courthouse in downtown LaFayette. The application process takes about 20 to 30 minutes when you have all your documents ready.
Marriage License Requirements
Both applicants must come to the Walker County Probate Court in person. Nobody can apply on your behalf. You each need to bring a current photo ID. The court verifies identity before issuing any license.
Valid identification includes:
- State driver's license or ID card
- U.S. passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Active military ID
If either applicant was married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. This is required by Georgia law. Blood tests have not been required since 2003. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Georgia residents can apply at any county probate court. Non-residents of Georgia may only apply in the county where the ceremony will happen. There is no residency requirement for state residents.
Walker County License Fees
A standard marriage license costs $56 in Walker County. Couples with a premarital education certificate pay $16. The education program must be at least six hours and completed within 12 months of applying. Have the certificate ready when you visit.
Payment is due at the time of application and is non-refundable. Call (706) 638-1742 to ask what types of payment the court accepts. Cash and checks are widely accepted. Card processing varies by office.
Need certified copies of your marriage certificate later? The Walker County Probate Court can provide them for a per-copy fee. Extra copies are useful for updating your name on government documents and insurance policies.
After the Wedding Ceremony
The officiant signs the marriage license after your ceremony. That signed license must be returned to the Walker County Probate Court within 30 days. You can mail it or drop it off. Do not put off this step.
After recording, the court mails you a certified marriage certificate. This usually takes a few weeks. It is the official document that proves your marriage. If you do not receive it within 45 days, contact the court.
Keep the marriage certificate somewhere secure. You will need it for name changes, joint tax filing, insurance updates, and other legal purposes. Replacing a lost copy takes time.
Walker County Marriage Records
Search for existing Walker County marriage records using the Georgia Probate Records search tool. It is free to use and searches by name.
Fill out your application ahead of time at the online application portal. Print it and bring it to the LaFayette courthouse to save time.
The Georgia Department of Public Health has state-level marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. For records outside that window, contact the Walker County Probate Court directly.
Changing Your Name After Marriage
Your name does not change on its own after the wedding. You have to update it yourself with each agency and company. Start at the Social Security Administration. Bring your marriage certificate and current ID. A new card with your updated name is free.
After Social Security, go to the DMV for a new license. Then work through your bank, employer, insurance, and any other accounts. Walker County does not process name changes. But the marriage certificate from the Walker County Probate Court is the document every agency will ask to see. Make sure you have a few certified copies on hand before you start.
Nearby Counties
These counties are close to Walker County. Georgia residents can get a license at any county probate court in the state.