Columbus Marriage Records Lookup
Columbus marriage records are maintained by the Muscogee County Probate Court. Columbus and Muscogee County operate as a single consolidated government, so there is just one office for marriage licenses. The probate court on 10th Street in downtown Columbus handles all new license applications, keeps records of past marriages, and issues certified copies when needed. If you live in the Columbus area or plan to get married here, this court is where you go. The process is fast and does not require any wait time under Georgia law.
Columbus Quick Facts
Columbus Marriage License Office
The Muscogee County Probate Court is on the 6th floor of the government center at 100 10th Street, Columbus, GA 31901. This is the central government building in downtown Columbus. The probate court handles marriage licenses, wills, estates, and other matters. For marriage records, call the office at (706) 225-4750 to check hours and ask about what you need to bring.
| Court | Muscogee County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 10th Street, 6th Floor, Columbus, GA 31901 |
| Phone | (706) 225-4750 |
| Website | columbusga.gov/probate |
The Muscogee County Probate Court website has details on services and contact information for Columbus residents.
This is the main site for the probate court that serves all of Columbus and Muscogee County.
Parking in downtown Columbus is available in lots and on the street near the government center. The building has security at the entrance. Bring your photo ID and be ready for a bag check. The 6th floor office is the only location in Columbus for marriage licenses. There are no satellite offices or branch locations for this service.
How to Get a Marriage License in Columbus
Both people must appear in person at the Muscogee County Probate Court. This is a state law requirement under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-2. You cannot apply by mail or have someone else go for you. Each person needs a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. You also need to give your Social Security number.
If either person was married before, you must show that the prior marriage ended. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate. Without this proof, the court in Columbus cannot issue a new license. The staff will check all documents before they process the application. Have everything ready to avoid a return trip.
The Columbus marriage license page explains the local process and what documents you need.
Check this page before your visit for the most current Columbus marriage license requirements and fees.
Once your application is complete and the fee is paid, the court issues the license on the spot. Georgia has no waiting period. Your Columbus marriage license is valid for 60 days. During that time, you hold the ceremony and have the officiant sign the license. Then you return the signed license to the Muscogee County Probate Court. The filed license becomes the official marriage record.
Note: If you miss the 60-day deadline, the license expires and you must start over with a new application and fee.
Columbus Marriage License Fees
The cost of a marriage license in Columbus depends on whether you complete a premarital counseling course. Without the course, the fee is $77. With a qualifying course, the fee is $56. This discount comes from O.C.G.A. § 19-3-30.1, which the state passed to encourage couples to get premarital education before they wed.
The approved course must be at least six hours long and cover topics like conflict management and financial planning. Several churches in the Columbus area offer these courses at low cost. Some counselors in town also provide them. The $21 savings is nice, but the real value is in the course content. Ask the Muscogee County Probate Court for a list of approved providers in the Columbus area.
For certified copies of existing Columbus marriage records, the probate court charges a per-copy fee. These fees can change, so call (706) 225-4750 for the current rate. If you need a marriage record from the state level, the Georgia Department of Public Health holds records from 1952 to 1996. The DPH charges $10 for a search and $5 per copy. Their office is in Atlanta, but you can request records by mail. Visit DPH marriage records for instructions.
Searching Old Marriage Records in Columbus
The Muscogee County Probate Court keeps marriage records for all marriages that took place in Columbus. For a record search, you can visit the office in person or call ahead to ask about the process. Having the names of both spouses and the approximate date of the marriage makes the search easier. The court staff can look up records by name if you do not have an exact date.
For a broader search, try the Georgia Probate Records online portal. Some Columbus marriage records may be in this database. You can also check with the Georgia Archives for older records that may not be in the current court system. The archives hold some county records that go back to the 1800s, though the amount of coverage varies.
The standard probate court forms from the Council of Probate Court Judges may also be helpful if you need to make a formal written request for Columbus marriage records. These forms work at any Georgia probate court.
Marriage Requirements for Columbus Residents
Georgia law applies the same way in Columbus as it does everywhere else in the state. Both people must be at least 18. No blood test is needed. No residency requirement means out-of-state couples can get a license in Columbus. The law is set out in O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1 and related sections of the Georgia Code.
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the probate court. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-3-36, the license must be returned within 60 days of issuance. The probate court then records the marriage. This step is what creates the official Columbus marriage record. If the license is not returned, the marriage may not be properly documented in the county records.
Authorized officials who can perform the ceremony in Columbus include judges, ministers, and other religious leaders. Justices of the peace and certain other officials can also do it. The officiant does not have to be from Columbus or even from Georgia. They just need to be legally authorized to perform marriages. If you are not sure whether your officiant qualifies, check with the Muscogee County Probate Court before the ceremony to be safe.
Nearby Cities for Marriage Records
Columbus sits in the far west of Georgia along the Alabama border. There are no large qualifying cities right next door. The closest qualifying city is LaGrange, which is in Troup County to the north. Couples in the Columbus area should use the Muscogee County Probate Court for the quickest service. If you live outside the consolidated city-county limits, check which county your address is in, as smaller surrounding counties each have their own probate court for marriage licenses.
Muscogee County Marriage Records
Columbus is the county seat of Muscogee County, and the two share a consolidated government. The Muscogee County Probate Court manages all marriage records for the area. For full details on county court services, fees, certified copies, and forms, visit the Muscogee County marriage records page.