Find Wilkes County Marriage License
Wilkes County marriage licenses are handled by the Probate Court in Washington, Georgia. Both applicants need to go to the courthouse together with valid identification. Wilkes County sits in eastern Georgia along the South Carolina border, and Washington serves as the county seat. The probate court is the only place in the county that processes marriage licenses. Georgia requires no blood test and has no waiting period. Once you complete the application and pay the fee, the court issues your license right then. You can hold your ceremony the same day.
Wilkes County Marriage License Quick Facts
Wilkes County Probate Court Office
The Wilkes County Probate Court in Washington is where all marriage licenses are issued. The court is in the historic Wilkes County Courthouse. Staff at the office can help with the application process and answer your questions.
Call (706) 678-2511 to reach the office. The mailing address is P.O. Box 113, Washington, GA 30673. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The court is closed on state holidays and weekends.
| Office | Wilkes County Probate Court, Washington, GA 30673 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 113, Washington, GA 30673 |
| Phone | (706) 678-2511 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Walk-in service is available during business hours. A phone call before your visit is a good idea to make sure the clerk is in. Small county offices can sometimes have unexpected closures. The probate judge may also be available to perform wedding ceremonies at the courthouse.
Wilkes County Marriage License Requirements
Both applicants must appear at the same time. No proxy applications are allowed. Each person must bring a valid photo ID. Georgia ended the blood test requirement in 2003. There is no waiting period of any kind. The license is good to use right away.
Accepted forms of ID:
- Driver's license or state ID
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Certified birth certificate
- Military ID card
You must be 18 or older. Anyone with a prior marriage must show proof it has ended. Bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate. Without this document, the court cannot issue a new license.
Any Georgia resident can apply in Wilkes County, even if they live elsewhere. Non-Georgia residents can apply here only if the wedding will be in Wilkes County. The license is valid statewide. There is no restriction on where you can use it once it is in your hands.
Marriage License Fees in Wilkes County
A marriage license in Wilkes County costs $56. This is the base fee required by Georgia law. Couples who finish a premarital education program of at least six hours can get the license for $16 instead. The program must have been completed within 12 months of the application date.
Bring the certificate from your course provider to the court. The discount only applies when you have proof. Payment is due at the time you file the application. Fees are non-refundable. Check with the clerk about which payment methods are accepted.
Certified copies of a recorded marriage certificate are available from the court for an added fee. Contact the Wilkes County Probate Court to find out the current cost per copy.
After Your Wedding
The person who performs the ceremony signs the license. The signed license must then be returned to the Wilkes County Probate Court within 30 days. You can mail it to P.O. Box 113, Washington, GA 30673, or drop it off at the office.
The court will record the marriage. After recording, certified copies become available. These copies serve as official proof of your marriage. You use them for things like name changes, updating insurance, and other legal matters.
Georgia's state vital records office at dph.georgia.gov maintains marriage records from June 1952 through August 1996. For records outside that period, the Wilkes County Probate Court is the place to contact.
Georgia Marriage License Details
The Georgia.gov marriage license page has statewide information. The rules outlined there apply in Wilkes County and in all 159 Georgia counties.
Georgia's process is the same everywhere. Show up with your partner. Bring ID. Pay the fee. Walk out with the license. No blood test and no wait. County-level differences are limited to office hours, accepted payment types, and ceremony availability. The law itself is uniform.
Apply Online for Wilkes County
Begin your application at the Georgia Probate Records portal. Fill out the form online, print it, and take it to the court in Washington. This speeds things up at the office. You still must appear in person to complete the process.
Search for existing Wilkes County marriage records at the online marriage record search. Not all records may be in the database. Older or hard-to-find records can be requested through the court directly.
Nearby Counties
These Georgia counties border Wilkes County. Georgia residents can apply for a marriage license in any county in the state.