Dalton Marriage Records
Marriage records in Dalton are handled by the Whitfield County Probate Court. Dalton serves as the county seat of Whitfield County in northwest Georgia, right along the I-75 corridor near the Tennessee state line. The Probate Court issues marriage licenses, files completed marriage certificates, and provides certified copies of past records. An online application is available for Dalton couples who want to start the process before visiting the courthouse. The court is at 205 North Selvidge Street in downtown Dalton, and you can reach them at (706) 275-7390 for questions about marriage records.
Dalton Quick Facts
Where to Get a Dalton Marriage License
The Whitfield County Probate Court in Dalton is the only office that issues marriage licenses for the area. Both people must appear in person at the courthouse to apply. You cannot mail in a license application. The good news is that Dalton has an online application you can fill out ahead of time, which speeds up the in-person visit.
The courthouse is easy to find. It sits on North Selvidge Street in the heart of Dalton, close to city hall and the downtown area. Parking is available nearby. Plan to spend some time at the court for your appointment, as the clerk needs to review IDs, check documents, and process the license paperwork.
| Court | Whitfield County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 205 N. Selvidge Street Dalton, GA 30720 |
| Phone | (706) 275-7390 |
| Online App | Available through court website |
The statewide probate portal at georgiaprobaterecords.com has search tools that cover Whitfield County marriage records for Dalton residents.
This portal covers probate records from across the state. Dalton residents can use it to search for marriage records filed in Whitfield County.
Dalton Marriage License Process
Start by filling out the online application. This lets you enter all the needed information from home. Once you submit the form, the court will let you know when to come in. At the courthouse, both people need to show valid photo ID. A driver's license works. So does a passport or state ID card. You must also provide Social Security numbers for both applicants.
If either person was married before, you need to bring proof. A certified divorce decree or death certificate is required. The clerk will not issue a Dalton marriage license without this documentation. Make sure you have the final decree, not just the filing papers.
Georgia law does not require a blood test. There is no waiting period in Dalton or anywhere else in the state. Once the court gives you the license, it is valid right away. You have 60 days to hold the ceremony and return the signed license. The officiant who performs the marriage signs the document, and then you file it back with the Whitfield County Probate Court. That step turns the license into an official Dalton marriage record.
Marriage License Fees in Dalton
A Dalton marriage license costs between $56 and $77 at the standard rate. Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-30.1, couples who complete a premarital education course pay a reduced fee of $16 to $37. The course must last at least six hours. It covers things like communication skills, handling finances together, and working through conflict. Many churches and licensed counselors in the Dalton area offer programs that qualify.
Certified copies of past Dalton marriage records cost $5. A search fee of $10 applies if the court needs to look up a record for you. Ask the court about payment options. Some Georgia probate courts accept cash, checks, and money orders. A few also take credit cards. Call (706) 275-7390 to confirm before you drive to the courthouse.
The savings from premarital counseling add up. At $40 or more in savings on the license fee, plus the benefit of the course itself, it is a smart option for Dalton couples who have the time. You get a certificate after you finish the course, and you bring it to the Probate Court when you apply for your license.
How to Search Dalton Marriage Records
Need to find a past Dalton marriage record? The Whitfield County Probate Court is the primary source. Records of every license the court has issued are on file there. Visit the court in person, call them, or write to request a search. Give them the full names of both people and the approximate date of the marriage. The more detail you provide, the faster the search goes. The fee is $10 for the search and $5 per certified copy.
Online search options are available too. The Georgia Probate Records portal includes Whitfield County in its system. You can search by name and date range. For standard forms you might need, the Council of Probate Court Judges has a forms page with downloads.
The Council of Probate Court Judges website provides links and resources for every probate court in Georgia, including the Whitfield County court serving Dalton.
This site links to every probate court in the state. Use it to find direct contact info and resources for the Whitfield County court handling Dalton marriage records.
Dalton Marriage Records from the State
The Georgia Department of Public Health kept a central file of marriage records from 1952 through 1996. If the Dalton marriage you need falls in that time range, the DPH might have it. Request these through dph.georgia.gov. The search fee is $10 and copies run $5 each.
For records before 1952, check the Georgia Archives. The Archives stores older vital records from across the state. Dalton records that predate the state system may only exist at the county level or in the Archives.
The general state overview at georgia.gov has a clear summary of the marriage license process for all Georgia counties, including Whitfield County where Dalton is located.
Dalton Marriage License Requirements
Georgia law controls who can marry. Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-2, both applicants must be at least 18 years old. There are no exceptions under current Georgia law. O.C.G.A. §19-3-1 defines the legal framework for marriage in the state. Residency is not required. A couple from Tennessee or any other state can come to Dalton and get a license without issue.
Here is what you need for a Dalton marriage license:
- Both people present at the Whitfield County Probate Court
- Government-issued photo ID for each person
- Social Security numbers for both applicants
- Final divorce decree or death certificate if either was previously married
- License fee payment
Under O.C.G.A. §19-3-36, the Probate Court judge must keep a record of every license the court issues. This creates a permanent marriage record in Whitfield County for Dalton couples. The signed, returned license is the official record. If you lose your copy, you can always get a certified replacement from the Probate Court for $5.
Nearby Cities for Marriage Records
Dalton is in the far northwest corner of Georgia. Nearby cities that also have marriage records pages include the following. Each uses its own county probate court for marriage license services.
Rome is in Floyd County and Cartersville is in Bartow County. Both are south of Dalton along the I-75 and US-411 corridors. If you are closer to one of those cities, you may prefer to apply at that county's Probate Court instead.
Whitfield County Marriage Records
Dalton is the county seat of Whitfield County. The Whitfield County Probate Court is responsible for all marriage license filings in the county, covering Dalton and surrounding communities. For more on the county court, fees, and office hours, visit the full county page.