Ware County Marriage License

Ware County marriage licenses are issued through the Probate Court in Waycross. The court requires both applicants to come in together with valid ID. Waycross is the county seat and the only place in the county to file for a marriage license. Ware County is in southeast Georgia, and it is one of the larger counties by land area. The probate court staff can walk you through each step of the process. Georgia has no waiting period and no blood test, so you can get your license and hold your ceremony on the same day if you choose.

Ware County Probate Court Office

The probate court in Waycross handles all marriage license matters for Ware County. It is the only office where you can apply. The court is inside the Ware County Courthouse in downtown Waycross.

Phone the court at (912) 287-4340 for questions. The mailing address is P.O. Box 776, Waycross, GA 31502. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The court is closed on weekends and state holidays.

Walk-ins are typically accepted. Still, it is a good plan to call ahead and make sure the office is open. Small county courts sometimes close early or have a midday break. The probate judge in Ware County may also perform wedding ceremonies upon request.

Ware County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must appear together at the court. No one can apply on behalf of someone else. You each need a valid photo ID. There is no blood test needed in Georgia. The state got rid of that rule back in 2003.

Valid ID forms for a Ware County marriage license:

• Georgia driver's license or state ID
• U.S. passport
• Certified birth certificate
• Valid military ID

The minimum age to marry in Georgia is 18. If either applicant has been married before, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. Without this proof, the court cannot issue your license.

Georgia residents can apply in any county in the state. It does not need to be the county where you live. Non-residents of Georgia must apply in the county where they plan to hold the ceremony. The license works statewide once it is in your hands.

Marriage License Fees in Ware County

The fee for a marriage license in Ware County is $56. This matches the standard rate in most Georgia counties. A reduced fee of $16 is available to couples who finish an approved premarital counseling course. The course must last at least six hours. It needs to have been completed within 12 months before you apply.

Bring the completion certificate with you. The court will check it before applying the discount. All fees are due at the time of application and are not refundable. Ask the court about payment methods when you call.

Extra copies of the marriage certificate cost a fee. You can get them from the Ware County Probate Court after the signed license is recorded. Contact the court for the current price per copy.

After Your Wedding in Ware County

Your officiant signs the license after the ceremony. Then it has to be returned to the Ware County Probate Court within 30 days. You can mail it to P.O. Box 776, Waycross, GA 31502. You can also bring it back in person.

The court will record the license once they get it back. After that, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate. Keep the original safe until you are sure the court has processed it.

State vital records are available through dph.georgia.gov. That office has marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. For records outside that window, the Ware County Probate Court is the right place to ask.

Georgia Marriage License Guide

For a general overview of getting married in Georgia, check the Georgia.gov marriage license page. It covers the basics that apply to every county.

Georgia keeps the process simple and uniform across all 159 counties. No blood test. No wait. Show up with ID, pay the fee, and you are set. The specifics like office hours and payment types can vary a bit from one county to the next, but the core rules stay the same statewide.

Online Application and Records Search

Start your marriage license application online at the Georgia Probate Records portal. Complete the form, print it out, and take it to the court in Waycross. You will still need to go in person to finish the process.

To look up existing marriage records in Ware County, try the marriage record search tool. Some older records may not be available online. Call the court for help with older filings.

Nearby Counties

Ware County shares borders with these Georgia counties. You can apply for a license in any of them if you prefer.