Access Athens Marriage Records

Athens marriage records are managed by the Athens-Clarke County Probate Court on Washington Street. Athens and Clarke County share a unified government, so one probate court handles all marriage licenses for the area. The court issues new licenses, stores past marriage records, and provides certified copies on request. If you are planning a wedding in Athens or need a copy of an older marriage record, the probate court is where you go. The office sits near the University of Georgia campus in the heart of downtown Athens.

Athens Marriage License Office

The Athens-Clarke County Probate Court is at 325 E. Washington St., Suite 200, Athens, GA 30601. The building is downtown, close to shops and restaurants. Parking can be limited in this part of Athens, so plan ahead. There are metered spots on the street and a parking deck nearby. The probate court office is on the second floor.

Call (706) 613-3320 to confirm office hours. The Athens probate court handles a range of matters beyond marriage licenses, so wait times can vary. Calling first gives you a sense of how busy the office is on a given day. The staff can also tell you exactly which documents to bring so you are not caught off guard.

The Athens-Clarke County marriage records page covers the local process and links to forms.

This page from the Athens-Clarke County government website explains marriage record services for Athens residents and visitors.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Athens

Both people must go to the probate court in person. This is required by Georgia law. Bring a valid photo ID for each person. Driver's licenses, passports, and state ID cards all work. You need your Social Security number as well. The court does not need the physical card, but you must provide the number. If either person was married before, bring proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or a death certificate will do.

The application is filled out at the court. Staff checks your IDs and enters your details into the system. Most Athens marriage license applications are processed the same day, often in under an hour. Georgia has no waiting period, so the license is good right away. You leave the courthouse with your license in hand, ready to schedule the ceremony whenever you choose within the next 60 days.

Athens is a college town with a large student population. The University of Georgia brings young couples to the area, and the probate court sees a fair number of license requests. It is a good idea to go early in the day, especially around graduation time or during football season weekends when Athens gets very busy.

Note: You can start the marriage application process online through georgiaprobaterecords.com before visiting the Athens courthouse.

Athens Marriage License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Athens is $77 without premarital counseling. With an approved course, the fee is $56. O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60 sets the fee amounts across the state. The premarital course must be at least six hours and cover topics set out in O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1. Communication, money management, and conflict skills are the main subjects the course should address.

Athens has several options for premarital education. Churches in the area often run courses, and some are free of charge. Licensed counselors and therapists in Athens also offer approved programs. The $21 fee reduction is a nice incentive, and the course itself can give you helpful tools as you start your marriage. Ask the probate court at (706) 613-3320 for a list of providers they recognize.

Certified copies of Athens marriage records have a separate fee. The amount depends on the type of copy and how many you need. Call the probate court for the current rate. If you need a copy from the state level, the Georgia Department of Public Health has marriage records from 1952 to 1996. Their search fee is $10 and copies are $5 each. Contact DPH at (404) 679-4702.

Searching Older Athens Marriage Records

The Clarke County Probate Court keeps marriage records for all marriages that were filed in the county. If you know the names of the couple and a rough idea of the year, staff can search the files. In-person requests tend to be the quickest way to get results. You can also call the court to ask about a record search by phone, though they may ask you to come in or submit a written request for older Athens records.

For state-level records, the Georgia Department of Public Health holds marriage records from 1952 through 1996. The DPH office is in Atlanta at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. You can request a search by mail or visit in person. For marriage records before 1952, try the Georgia Archives. The archives hold some county-level vital records that go back to the 1800s. The coverage for Clarke County varies, but it is worth checking.

The Georgia Probate Records online portal offers another way to search. Some Athens marriage records may appear in this database. And the Council of Probate Court Judges website has links to forms and other tools that could help with your request.

Athens Marriage Requirements

Georgia law applies in Athens the same way it does across the state. Both applicants must be at least 18 under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. No blood test is required. There is no residency rule, so out-of-state couples can get a license in Athens. The main requirements are simple.

What you need for an Athens marriage license:

• Both people present at the probate court
• Valid photo ID for each applicant
• Social Security numbers
• Proof that any prior marriage ended
• Fee payment ($56 with counseling, $77 without)

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Athens-Clarke County Probate Court within 60 days. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-36, this is what creates the official marriage record. The court then records the marriage in its files. If the license is not returned in time, the marriage may not show up in the county records. Follow up with the court to make sure your Athens marriage record is on file after the ceremony.

Nearby Cities for Marriage Records

Gainesville is the nearest qualifying city to Athens. Gainesville is in Hall County, about 40 miles to the northwest. Each county has its own probate court, so Gainesville residents get their marriage licenses from the Hall County Probate Court, not from Athens. If you are not sure which county you live in, check your address before you visit either courthouse.

Clarke County Marriage Records

Athens is the county seat of the consolidated Athens-Clarke County government. The Clarke County Probate Court manages all marriage records for the area. For full details on the county court, fees, how to request certified copies, and related resources, see the Clarke County page.

View Clarke County Marriage Records