Whitfield County Marriage License
A Whitfield County marriage license can be obtained at the Probate Court in Dalton. Both applicants must visit the courthouse together to file the application. Whitfield County is in northwest Georgia, and Dalton is the county seat and the largest city. The probate court serves all residents of the county for marriage license needs. Bring valid photo ID and the filing fee. Georgia does not require blood tests or impose a waiting period. Your license is ready to use the moment it is issued, and it is valid in every county across the state.
Whitfield County Marriage License Quick Facts
Whitfield County Probate Court
Marriage licenses for Whitfield County are issued at the Probate Court in Dalton. The office is in the Whitfield County Courthouse. Dalton is the largest city in the county, so the court sees a steady volume of applications compared to smaller surrounding counties.
You can reach the court at (706) 275-7390. The mailing address is P.O. Box 248, Dalton, GA 30722. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-ins are taken during those hours. The court closes on state holidays.
| Office | Whitfield County Probate Court, Dalton, GA 30722 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 248, Dalton, GA 30722 |
| Phone | (706) 275-7390 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
The Whitfield County Probate Court can also provide information about courthouse wedding ceremonies. The probate judge may be available to officiate. Contact the office for scheduling and any additional fees related to ceremonies.
Marriage License Requirements in Whitfield County
Both people must come to the court together. The court will not accept an application from just one person. Each applicant needs a valid photo ID. Georgia has not required a blood test since 2003. There is no wait to use the license once it is issued.
Valid forms of ID include:
- State-issued driver's license or ID card
- Valid U.S. passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Active military ID
Both people must be 18 years old or older. If either applicant was previously married, you must provide proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate is what the court needs. Bring it with you to avoid a wasted trip.
Georgia residents can apply in any county. You do not have to live in Whitfield County to apply here. People who live outside Georgia must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. The license is good in all 159 Georgia counties once issued.
Whitfield County Marriage License Fees
A marriage license in Whitfield County costs $56. This is the standard fee set by Georgia law. Couples who complete a qualifying premarital education course pay only $16 instead. The course must be at least six hours and done within 12 months before you apply.
You need the completion certificate with you at the courthouse. No certificate means the full $56 fee. Payment is due when you file the application. Fees are non-refundable. Call the court to find out what forms of payment they accept.
Certified copies of a recorded marriage certificate are available from the court. Each copy has a fee. Contact the Whitfield County Probate Court for the current price. You can order copies in person or request them by mail.
After Your Whitfield County Wedding
The officiant signs the license right after the ceremony. The signed license must be returned to the Whitfield County Probate Court within 30 days. You can mail it to P.O. Box 248, Dalton, GA 30722, or take it to the courthouse yourself.
After the court records the license, you can get certified copies of your marriage certificate. This certificate is your official proof of marriage. Keep the license safe until you confirm the court has received and processed it.
The Georgia Department of Public Health at dph.georgia.gov stores marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. For records outside that time frame, the Whitfield County Probate Court is your source.
Georgia Marriage License Information
The Georgia.gov marriage license page explains the statewide process. Everything there applies to Whitfield County as well.
All Georgia counties follow the same basic rules. Two people show up with ID, pay the fee, and get the license. No blood work. No wait. The process is fast. What changes from county to county is mostly the hours, the payment methods, and whether the judge performs ceremonies. Whitfield County is no different.
Online Application and Record Search
You can fill out the marriage license application online through the Georgia Probate Records portal. Print the completed form and bring it to the Whitfield County Probate Court in Dalton. You still must go in person with your ID and fee to finish the process.
To look up existing marriage records in Whitfield County, visit the marriage record search page. Some older records may not appear online. Call the court if you need help locating a specific record.
Cities in Whitfield County
Dalton is the main city in Whitfield County. Residents of Dalton and the surrounding areas all use the Whitfield County Probate Court for marriage licenses.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Whitfield County in northwest Georgia. You can apply for a marriage license in any of them.