Search Augusta Marriage Records

Augusta marriage records are filed with the Augusta-Richmond County Probate Court. Augusta and Richmond County merged into a single consolidated government, so there is no separate city or county office. All marriage license requests in Augusta go through one probate court. The court issues new licenses, keeps records of past marriages, and provides certified copies. If you plan to get married in Augusta or need an old marriage record, this is where you start. The office is in downtown Augusta on James Brown Boulevard.

Augusta Marriage License Office

The Augusta-Richmond County Probate Court is at 735 James Brown Blvd., Suite 1000, Augusta, GA 30901. This is the only place in Augusta where you can get a marriage license. The probate court judge oversees marriage records along with other probate matters like wills and estates. Call (706) 821-2434 for office hours and to check if you need an appointment.

The courthouse is in downtown Augusta near the government center. Parking is available in the area. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. The staff can answer questions about marriage records, fees, and what forms you need to fill out. Walk-in service is typically available for marriage licenses in Augusta, but calling first helps you avoid a wasted trip if the office has a busy schedule that day.

The Georgia.gov marriage license page has statewide info that also applies to Augusta residents.

This state resource covers the general process for all Georgia marriage licenses, including those filed in Augusta.

How to Get a Marriage License in Augusta

Both people must go to the probate court together. You cannot have one person apply alone. Each person needs a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID. You also need to know your Social Security number. If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate showing the prior marriage ended. These are hard rules, not suggestions.

Augusta offers an online marriage license application that you can start before your visit. Fill it out at home and then finish at the courthouse. This can save time, especially on busy days. You still need to appear in person for ID checks and signatures, but the paperwork goes faster when you come prepared.

There is no waiting period in Georgia. Once the court issues your marriage license in Augusta, it is valid right away. You have 60 days to hold the ceremony and return the signed license to the probate court. If 60 days pass without a ceremony, the license expires and you must apply again. Georgia does not need a blood test. The whole process at the Augusta probate court typically takes under an hour if you have all your documents ready.

Note: Augusta accepts cash, checks, and money orders for license fees. Call ahead to ask about credit card payments.

Augusta Marriage License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Augusta follows the state schedule set by O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60. Without a premarital counseling course, the fee is $77. With a qualifying course, the fee drops to $56. That is a $21 savings for completing at least six hours of premarital education. Several churches and licensed counselors in the Augusta area offer approved courses.

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1, the state encourages premarital education by offering this reduced fee. The course must cover topics like conflict resolution, communication, and financial planning. Ask the Augusta probate court for a list of providers in the area, or check with local churches that often run these programs at low cost or for free. The savings are modest but the course content can be genuinely helpful for couples starting out in Augusta.

If you need certified copies of an existing Augusta marriage record, the probate court charges a fee per copy. Fees for copies are separate from the license fee. Copies of older records may also be available from the Georgia Department of Public Health, which holds marriage records from 1952 through 1996. The DPH search fee is $10 and each copy costs $5. Contact them at (404) 679-4702 or visit the DPH marriage records page.

Finding Older Augusta Marriage Records

For marriage records that go back many years, Augusta residents have a few options. The Richmond County Probate Court keeps its own records going back decades. If the marriage took place in Augusta, the court should have it on file. You can request a search by contacting the court by phone or in person.

The Georgia Department of Public Health holds state-level marriage records from 1952 to 1996. Their office is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. You can request a search by mail or visit their office in Atlanta. The search fee is $10. For records before 1952, the Georgia Archives may have what you need. The archives hold some county-level records that date back to the 1800s, though coverage varies by county.

You can also try georgiaprobaterecords.com, which is an online portal for searching Georgia probate court records. Some Augusta records may be searchable there depending on the time period. The Council of Probate Court Judges website also has links to standard forms and other probate court resources that apply to Augusta.

The statewide probate records portal may include Augusta marriage records depending on the year.

Augusta Marriage Record Requirements

Georgia law sets the same basic rules for all counties. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2, both people must be at least 18 years old. There are no exceptions. You do not have to live in Augusta or even in Georgia to get a license here. Out-of-state couples who want to marry in Augusta can apply at the Richmond County Probate Court with the same documents.

The key requirements for Augusta are:

• Both applicants present at the probate court
• Valid photo ID for each person
• Social Security numbers
• Proof prior marriage ended (if applicable)
• License fee payment

O.C.G.A. § 19-3-36 covers the ceremony requirements. The license must be signed by the person who performs the ceremony and returned to the probate court within 60 days. Judges, ministers, and other authorized people can perform the ceremony. The signed license becomes the official marriage record once filed back with the Augusta probate court. Without that step, the marriage may not be properly recorded.

Nearby Cities for Marriage Records

If you live near Augusta but outside the city, you may find it easier to get your marriage license from a closer probate court. Evans and Martinez are nearby and served by the Columbia County Probate Court. Each county in Georgia has its own probate court for marriage licenses, so check which county your address falls in before you visit.

Richmond County Marriage Records

Augusta is the county seat of Richmond County. All marriage records for the consolidated Augusta-Richmond County government are handled by the Richmond County Probate Court. For full details on the county court system, fees, forms, and how to request records, see the Richmond County page.

View Richmond County Marriage Records