Alpharetta Marriage Records Search
Marriage records in Alpharetta go through the Fulton County Probate Court in Atlanta. Alpharetta has roughly 67,000 residents and is in the far northern part of Fulton County. The Probate Court handles all marriage licenses for the county and keeps the records after the ceremony. Alpharetta couples apply at the Atlanta courthouse and can later request copies of their marriage records from the same office. The court serves every city in Fulton County from one central location.
Alpharetta Quick Facts
Where Alpharetta Couples Get a Marriage License
Alpharetta is in Fulton County. The Fulton County Probate Court in downtown Atlanta issues marriage licenses for the area. The drive from Alpharetta to the courthouse is about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. There is no Probate Court branch in Alpharetta, so you have to go to Atlanta. Georgia law lets you apply in any county, though, and some Alpharetta residents go to a closer county if that works better for them.
| Court | Fulton County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 136 Pryor St. SW, Suite C-230 Atlanta, GA 30303 |
| Phone | (404) 613-4583 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | fultonprobatega.org |
Both applicants must be present at the same time. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID and their Social Security number. If you were married before, bring the final divorce decree or the death certificate of the former spouse. The clerk at the Probate Court reviews your documents and issues the license on the spot. The whole thing takes about 20 minutes when you have your papers in order.
Note: Georgia has no blood test or waiting period, so Alpharetta couples can use the license the same day it is issued.
Alpharetta Marriage License Fees
The marriage license fee in Georgia has two tiers. Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-30.1, couples who take an approved premarital education course get a lower rate. The course must last at least six hours and cover topics like communication and financial management. You bring the certificate of completion to the Probate Court.
Fee schedule for Alpharetta marriage licenses:
- Standard license without course: $56 to $77
- Reduced license with course: $16 to $37
- Certified copy of a marriage record: $5
- Record search fee: $10
The premarital course discount saves you roughly $40. Many churches and counseling centers in the Alpharetta area offer courses that meet the state requirements. Ask your provider if their program qualifies before you count on the discount. Call the Fulton County Probate Court at (404) 613-4583 to check the latest fees and payment options.
How to Search Alpharetta Marriage Records
The Fulton County Probate Court is the main source for Alpharetta marriage records. They keep every license issued in the county. You can search in person at the Atlanta courthouse or use online tools. Several options are available depending on the age of the record and the type of copy you need.
The Fulton County Probate Court homepage at fultonprobatega.org is a good starting point. The screenshot below shows the main page.
The site has clear navigation to the marriage license section and other court services. Alpharetta residents can use it to plan their visit or start a record request.
The marriage license page has specific instructions for applicants. The screenshot below shows what Alpharetta couples will find there.
This page lays out the fees, what to bring, and the steps to follow. It is updated by the court, so the information is as current as you can get for Alpharetta marriage license applications.
You can also search through georgiaprobaterecords.com, which covers Fulton County. The Georgia Department of Public Health has state records from 1952 to 1996 at dph.georgia.gov. For very old records, try the Georgia Archives.
Marriage License Requirements for Alpharetta
State law controls who can get a marriage license. O.C.G.A. §19-3-1 defines the right to marry. O.C.G.A. §19-3-2 sets the age at 18 minimum. Both rules apply to Alpharetta couples and every other applicant in Georgia. There are no exceptions to the age rule.
Both people must appear at the Fulton County Probate Court at the same time. Each needs a valid photo ID, like a driver's license or passport, plus a Social Security number. If either applicant has a prior marriage, you bring proof it ended. A divorce decree or death certificate is what the clerk will ask to see.
Once the license is in your hands, it is good for 60 days. Get married within that window or it expires. There is no waiting period. Many Alpharetta couples schedule the ceremony within a week or two of getting the license. After the officiant signs the license, you return it to the Probate Court. That filing makes it an official marriage record in Fulton County.
Note: Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-36, the Probate Court must record every license returned after a ceremony, creating the permanent Alpharetta marriage record.
Certified Copies of Alpharetta Marriage Records
After the marriage license is returned and recorded, you can get certified copies from the Fulton County Probate Court. Certified copies bear the court seal and are accepted everywhere. You need them for changing your name at the Social Security office, updating your driver's license, adding a spouse to insurance, and handling immigration matters.
The certified copies page on the Fulton County Probate Court site explains the process. See the screenshot below for a look at that section.
The page shows how to request copies in person and by mail. It also lists the fees and what info to include in your request. Alpharetta residents can use this to prepare before contacting the court.
Each certified copy costs $5. A $10 search fee applies if the court has to locate the record. In-person requests at the Atlanta courthouse are typically handled the same day. Mail requests go to 136 Pryor St. SW, Suite C-230, Atlanta, GA 30303. Include both names, the marriage date, and payment by check or money order.
Georgia State Marriage Records for Alpharetta
The Georgia Department of Public Health kept centralized marriage records from 1952 through 1996. Alpharetta marriages from that period may be available at the state level. The search fee is $10, and each extra copy costs $5. You can request records through dph.georgia.gov.
For marriages before 1952 or after 1996, the Fulton County Probate Court is your only option. The court has a complete file of every license it has processed under O.C.G.A. §19-3-36. Alpharetta residents can count on the Probate Court as the definitive source for marriage records at any date. For a general overview of the marriage license process in Georgia, visit georgia.gov. Standard forms are at gaprobate.gov.
Nearby Cities
Alpharetta is in the northern section of Fulton County, surrounded by other cities that share the same Probate Court. All of these neighbors go through the same office in Atlanta for marriage records.
Fulton County Marriage Records
Alpharetta is part of Fulton County, and the Fulton County Probate Court handles all marriage records for the area. Fulton is the most populous county in Georgia with over one million residents. The Probate Court processes thousands of marriage licenses each year. For a complete look at the county system, all fees, filing steps, and resources, see the Fulton County marriage records page.